Need hotel recommendations for Barcelona
Mar 5th, 2004, 10:11 AM
#1
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Need hotel recommendations for Barcelona
Have gotten many recommendations from friends and travel agent - can't decide, travel sites have such mixed reviews. Willing to pay up to $150-200 if worth it.
Does anyone recommend:
Hotel Colon
Hotel Regencia Colon
Hotel Condes de Barcelona
Hotel Gran via
Hotel Meson Castilla
Rialto
Avenida Palace
Oriente
Hotel Regente
Thanks
Does anyone recommend:
Hotel Colon
Hotel Regencia Colon
Hotel Condes de Barcelona
Hotel Gran via
Hotel Meson Castilla
Rialto
Avenida Palace
Oriente
Hotel Regente
Thanks
Mar 5th, 2004, 10:14 AM
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The Oriente Hotel is on Las Ramblas in a great location. Also, near the metro. I did not stay there but passed by several times. It is very attractive from the outside. This hotel was suggested to me by a friend who worked at Iberia airlines. The price was very low. I couldn't get in so I stayed at Le Meridien Hotel which was more costly but a great place.
Mar 5th, 2004, 12:41 PM
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Hotel Gran Via is on a good street in a wonderful location--not on the Ramblas which I think could be a bit too noisy for sleeping. The rooms are a bit dark but bathrooms are nice, staircase is terrific, breakfast room is nice, price is right, and location near several Guadi buildings can't be beat. My friend and daughter both stayed in the Balmes, also close to the center of things and very reasonable. A bit more modern than the Gran Via. Friend preferred Balmes to Colon which she also stayed in. Hope this is of some help.
Mar 5th, 2004, 02:10 PM
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Seagulls,
My husband and I stayed at the Gran Via this past October. I believe we paid 110 euros per night.
Loved the location -- very convenient to everything! The room was rather dark, as the other poster mentioned, but quite satisfactory (clean, good bathroom, comfortable). The breakfast buffet in the morning was 8 euros, and had a very good selection of food (eggs, meats, yogurt, breads, fruite,etc.) and great coffee! The common areas have a lot of "old world" charm. Lovely roof top terrace, as well.
My only complaint was that the staff was not very friendly or helpful. For example, when we asked for specific restaurant recommendations, the response was "there are lots just around the corner." Well, yeah, we noticed that, but we were hoping for some specific suggestions!
Despite the service, I'd recommend the hotel. Truly a good value in the heart of Barcelona.
Diane
My husband and I stayed at the Gran Via this past October. I believe we paid 110 euros per night.
Loved the location -- very convenient to everything! The room was rather dark, as the other poster mentioned, but quite satisfactory (clean, good bathroom, comfortable). The breakfast buffet in the morning was 8 euros, and had a very good selection of food (eggs, meats, yogurt, breads, fruite,etc.) and great coffee! The common areas have a lot of "old world" charm. Lovely roof top terrace, as well.
My only complaint was that the staff was not very friendly or helpful. For example, when we asked for specific restaurant recommendations, the response was "there are lots just around the corner." Well, yeah, we noticed that, but we were hoping for some specific suggestions!
Despite the service, I'd recommend the hotel. Truly a good value in the heart of Barcelona.
Diane
Mar 6th, 2004, 05:06 AM
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Hotel Condes de Barcelona is an excellent choice for a great location (in the Exaimple area) It is a beautiful and charming hotel with a convenient location to great shopping, great cafes, Tapas restaurants, fine dining, Gaudi Buildings, and accessible transportation such as the Metro, cabs, and the best of all: Walking to everything. The neighborhod has an amazing ambiance.
I personally don't love the idea of staying right on The Ramblas (Oriental is there) as it is very noisy, crowded with a huge mix of tourists, college kids, and too many tourist like vendors, etc. Great to stroll, visit, and experience but not to be in a hotel there!
Enjoy Barcelona.
I personally don't love the idea of staying right on The Ramblas (Oriental is there) as it is very noisy, crowded with a huge mix of tourists, college kids, and too many tourist like vendors, etc. Great to stroll, visit, and experience but not to be in a hotel there!
Enjoy Barcelona.
Mar 6th, 2004, 07:13 AM
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seagulls,
I notice that you have a fairly wide price range in your list, the most expensive being
the Hotel Colón (for a room with balcony facing the cathedral) C de B. and Avenida Palace. So your options range from 2 to 4 star. I'm not sure that the C de B or AP fit in your budget in dollars now. But it depends entirely on your dates and internet specials, so you never know.
Have you decided whether you would rather be in the Moderniste architecture filled, more upscale Eixample or in the heart of the Barri Gotic? That would help you to narrow your list down.
In the Barri Gotic, I would choose between the venerable Colón (but would only book a deluxe room with balcony which I think goes for well over $200) and its cheaper little sister, the Regencia. The Regencia Colón is a solid euro-saving option just around the corner and about which a poster wrote a very favorable review just last week. I would prefer either of these two in the Barri Gotic over the Rialto because of the location closer to cathedral square.
In the more elegant Eixample, which is my favorite place to stay, as jv and Diane say,
the Gran Vía is a moderate budget choice right in the thick of things, near the Placa de Catalunya, thus close to the transportation, shopping, great dining, Gaudí architecture that TrendGirl mentions. The Mesón Castilla is a slightly more comfortable, brighter and also Old World style upper moderate option tucked away below the Placa Universitat, behind the very upper portion of the lively-at- all- hours Ramblas, slightly further but still easily walkable from the P de C than the Hotel Gran Vía. As a single traveler I've stayed there several times in pretty rooms decorated with lovely hand painted Castilian furniture, and the service has always been kind and considerate and buffet breakfast included. (But the nearby H10 Gravina is more hip and ultra modern in feel).
I agree with TrendGirl. I personally don't enjoy staying right on the Ramblas for many of the reasons she mentions, although some posters do enjoy the 24 hr. entertainment. I did when I was young, but I look for quieter, less congested spots now. That's why I wouldn't choose the Oriente for my stay.
Of all the hotels on your list (and I would include the Derby Balmes and Astoria in the Eixample on that list, and exclude the Regente), if price is not that much of a consideration and you want to splurge, I'd opt for the Condes de Barcelona.
If you can snag a room there for under $200 this would be your most elegant, comfortable bet-a service-oriented, well managed, pretty and historic hotel in a fabulous location right on the Passeig de Gracia, steps away from the Gaudí masterpieces.
I notice that you have a fairly wide price range in your list, the most expensive being
the Hotel Colón (for a room with balcony facing the cathedral) C de B. and Avenida Palace. So your options range from 2 to 4 star. I'm not sure that the C de B or AP fit in your budget in dollars now. But it depends entirely on your dates and internet specials, so you never know.
Have you decided whether you would rather be in the Moderniste architecture filled, more upscale Eixample or in the heart of the Barri Gotic? That would help you to narrow your list down.
In the Barri Gotic, I would choose between the venerable Colón (but would only book a deluxe room with balcony which I think goes for well over $200) and its cheaper little sister, the Regencia. The Regencia Colón is a solid euro-saving option just around the corner and about which a poster wrote a very favorable review just last week. I would prefer either of these two in the Barri Gotic over the Rialto because of the location closer to cathedral square.
In the more elegant Eixample, which is my favorite place to stay, as jv and Diane say,
the Gran Vía is a moderate budget choice right in the thick of things, near the Placa de Catalunya, thus close to the transportation, shopping, great dining, Gaudí architecture that TrendGirl mentions. The Mesón Castilla is a slightly more comfortable, brighter and also Old World style upper moderate option tucked away below the Placa Universitat, behind the very upper portion of the lively-at- all- hours Ramblas, slightly further but still easily walkable from the P de C than the Hotel Gran Vía. As a single traveler I've stayed there several times in pretty rooms decorated with lovely hand painted Castilian furniture, and the service has always been kind and considerate and buffet breakfast included. (But the nearby H10 Gravina is more hip and ultra modern in feel).
I agree with TrendGirl. I personally don't enjoy staying right on the Ramblas for many of the reasons she mentions, although some posters do enjoy the 24 hr. entertainment. I did when I was young, but I look for quieter, less congested spots now. That's why I wouldn't choose the Oriente for my stay.
Of all the hotels on your list (and I would include the Derby Balmes and Astoria in the Eixample on that list, and exclude the Regente), if price is not that much of a consideration and you want to splurge, I'd opt for the Condes de Barcelona.
If you can snag a room there for under $200 this would be your most elegant, comfortable bet-a service-oriented, well managed, pretty and historic hotel in a fabulous location right on the Passeig de Gracia, steps away from the Gaudí masterpieces.
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Mar 6th, 2004, 09:42 AM
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I also agree 100% with what Maribel has added. Maribel seems to enjoy the same type of locations, hotel types, food,shopping, and cultural experiences that are important to me. What you have to decide is if you prefer the more upscale location to actually stay in, or if the Ramblas "scene" will fit your lifestyle better as a hotel base.
I loved going to the Barri Gotic, and exploring all of the streets in that area. However, the Eixample was a better choice for me to stay in as far as Hotels were concerned. Barcelona is very easy navigate and experience all of the areas. Wish I was on my way back for another visit! It is a very Hip city offering great energy, culture, food, and beauty.
I loved going to the Barri Gotic, and exploring all of the streets in that area. However, the Eixample was a better choice for me to stay in as far as Hotels were concerned. Barcelona is very easy navigate and experience all of the areas. Wish I was on my way back for another visit! It is a very Hip city offering great energy, culture, food, and beauty.
