Affordable hotel recommendations for Barcelona in Jan/Feb 2015
Jan 7th, 2015, 10:41 AM
#1
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Affordable hotel recommendations for Barcelona in Jan/Feb 2015
A few months back I posted a question regarding transportation options between Barcelona and Malaga as part of the visit I was planning to make to Spain. It now appears that I'll be taking that trip toward the end of January through early February, and I'm looking for hotel suggestions- budget to moderate single for around 75-100 Euros/nite- in a safe and attractive area in Barcelona. I would appreciate all informed responses. Thanks.
Z.
Z.
Jan 7th, 2015, 11:36 AM
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Basic hotel standard (private bathroom, TV, AC, safe, 24 desk etc) Hostal Orleans is below your Budget (even for a double). At the outskirts of the vibrant, safe and very attractive El Born area. Have stayed here several times and will come back: http://www.hostalorleans.com/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Catalonia.html
About the Born district: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Catalonia.html
About the Born district: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
Feb 18th, 2015, 05:53 AM
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kimhe: Thanks much for the tip you posted above. My schedule shifted a bit, but I am now going to Barcelona March 10th. I booked a room at the Hostal Orleans and, based upon your recommendation and the many positive reviews, and I am looking forward to my stay.
If you could, I would appreciate any further helpful information. In particular, what is the best way to get to Hostal Orleans from the airport?
Also, recommendations for food in the area? Best sites to see on this, my first time in?
Thanks once again and will loo for your reply.
If you could, I would appreciate any further helpful information. In particular, what is the best way to get to Hostal Orleans from the airport?
Also, recommendations for food in the area? Best sites to see on this, my first time in?
Thanks once again and will loo for your reply.
Feb 18th, 2015, 07:43 AM
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Fastest way is to take a taxi, some 20€ and normally less than 15 mins. But best way is perhaps taking the very frequent airport bus (every 5 mins, 6€) to heart of the city Placa de Catalunya in 35 mins and walk the fifteen minutes (or take a 5€ taxi). http://www.aerobusbcn.com/temas/Barc...bk8aAj5f8P8HAQ
Plenty of great tapas bars and restaurants on your doorstep in El Born. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
For special places to eat, you have Cal Pep (gourmet tapas), Tapeo (close to the Picasso museum and just behind the Santa Maria del Mar church), the next door Basque Cultural center Euskal Etxea with an excellent pintxos bar as well as a restaurant section. I also have a very soft spot for typical Spanish cafe/bar/restaurant Navia 20 meters from the hotel. Very popular with locals, open almost 24/7. I always have my breakfasts in Barcelona here, and it's also excellent for a late night snack or drink. The soup or stew of the day (sopa/cocido) is a real bargain. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And you are 100 meters away from Kiosko Gourmet Burgers: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And 200 meters away from very traditional 7 Portes from 1836, my favourite restaurant in town: http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
Plenty of great tapas bars and restaurants on your doorstep in El Born. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html
For special places to eat, you have Cal Pep (gourmet tapas), Tapeo (close to the Picasso museum and just behind the Santa Maria del Mar church), the next door Basque Cultural center Euskal Etxea with an excellent pintxos bar as well as a restaurant section. I also have a very soft spot for typical Spanish cafe/bar/restaurant Navia 20 meters from the hotel. Very popular with locals, open almost 24/7. I always have my breakfasts in Barcelona here, and it's also excellent for a late night snack or drink. The soup or stew of the day (sopa/cocido) is a real bargain. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And you are 100 meters away from Kiosko Gourmet Burgers: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And 200 meters away from very traditional 7 Portes from 1836, my favourite restaurant in town: http://www.7portes.com/angles/index.php
Feb 18th, 2015, 11:07 AM
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kimhe:
You are the best!! I'll have to let you know how things work out, but you have provided a lot of very helpful information and references! Gracias!!
Z
Robert: I've already booked my days at the hostal orleans(see my post above) through their site - which had the best price. I assume you left the bookin.com reference for that purpose.
You are the best!! I'll have to let you know how things work out, but you have provided a lot of very helpful information and references! Gracias!!
Z
Robert: I've already booked my days at the hostal orleans(see my post above) through their site - which had the best price. I assume you left the bookin.com reference for that purpose.
Feb 19th, 2015, 12:21 AM
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And the very famous tapas bar El Xampanyet is 3 mins walk from Orleans (just across from excellent Tapeo mentioned above): http://www.yelp.com/biz/el-xampanyet-barcelona
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And Txakolin, 50 meters away from Hostal Orleans, used to be my favourite for Basque pintxos in Barcelona. Haven't been since fall 2013, and since then there seem to be new owners and a bit more mixed reviews, but I think you should give it a try. Used to be a huge variety of high quality pintxos for a couple of euros. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
And Txakolin, 50 meters away from Hostal Orleans, used to be my favourite for Basque pintxos in Barcelona. Haven't been since fall 2013, and since then there seem to be new owners and a bit more mixed reviews, but I think you should give it a try. Used to be a huge variety of high quality pintxos for a couple of euros. http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html
Feb 19th, 2015, 06:10 AM
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Some tips about places on your doorstep:
Santa Maria del Mar Church, one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europa. Concerts here every now and then:
http://www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org/home/
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...ZDcI_3aGEF7k9N
El Fossar de les Moreres, in memory of the fallen from 1714 and an important monument for Catalan Identity: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/The-...sdzWrzjdK2mCiV
The old El Born Food market is recently reopened as a Catalan culture center: http://www.mercatdelborn.org/en/welcome/
The Picasso museum: http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/
Santa Maria del Mar Church, one of the finest Gothic buildings in Europa. Concerts here every now and then:
http://www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org/home/
http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/Engl...ZDcI_3aGEF7k9N
El Fossar de les Moreres, in memory of the fallen from 1714 and an important monument for Catalan Identity: http://www.barcelonaturisme.com/The-...sdzWrzjdK2mCiV
The old El Born Food market is recently reopened as a Catalan culture center: http://www.mercatdelborn.org/en/welcome/
The Picasso museum: http://www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en/
Feb 19th, 2015, 06:42 AM
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Carrying luggage I would not walk between Plaça de Catalunya and Hostal Orlean which looks to be located at farther end of El Born from Pl.Canatlunya. And I would not take taxi either ( only because I’m not used to, anywhere). What I did two times in last 2 months is, taking a train ( every 30 minutes) from Airport station (Terminal 2) to Passeig Gracia station (After the big Sants Station ), this takes 30 minutes, get off at P.Gracia but stay on the platform and wait for frequent trains ( every 15 minutes during the day) for França station (takes 7 minutes). At França station, you only need to cross a street to get to your hostal, it seems. The ticket for Airport > Barcelona (any station) is about €2.50 (Zona 1), quite cheap ( but you will see below I paid still much less )
If your booking is not definite ( refundable ), you might like to consider other options convenient from França station. I stayed in January at 2* hotel Oasis for about € 50 without breakfast. The room was very simple, a bit dark with no view, but fine. Wifi worked well. Then 10 days ago, I stayed at 3* hotel Del Mar which was aross the square Plaça del Palau from Oasis. The deal was better there, € 53.00 per night including breakfast. The room was larger, wifi fine, and as I requested, I got the 4th floor room with a full view of the square + a bit of Cathdral del Mar in El Born and Tibidabo behind. I could have booked this hotel at Booking.com for € 50.00 (no breakfast) but the hotel’s site lets you choose "room only" rate and gives you free breakfast so it was like I got it for €3.00.
I had been to Barcelona many times and have always stayed in Eixample / Ramblas areas. But these times I looked for hotels near El Born and closer to the beach ( for walks and obviously not for swimming ). Also I like having a large view ( of anything, sky light ) from the room. I got all those at Del Mar hotel besides very low rate.
Everyday I walked to El Born and the beach. For farther places like Plaça d’Espanya, I used bus. There is a Pla del Palau stop located conveniently in front of the 2 hotels I stayed at. You buy “T10” tikcet for 10 rides at Airport station ( the cost will get only a little over €1.00 per ride ). With T10, you can take metro, bus, train to airport, although I take rarely metro. Last time during my 4-day stay I either walked or took the bus all the time and never the metro. Used Bus No 14 & 59 a few times only to get to Plaça de Catalunya as well.
Based there I was by the port, next to El Born, Barcelonetta beach was about 5 minutes walk and all worked well for me.
Also the well known restaurant 7 Portes is only a few doors away in the same block from Del Mar. A few years ago on a new year's eve evening, I ateat tha table of Catherine Deneuve ( there is a plate with her name on the wall ). Woody Allen’s was about next to it. In January Montserrat Caballé was next to my table ( again just a plate, not herself of course ). My table was with a plate of a (supposedly) local Catalan military general… Still rather expensive for a brasserie kind of place so I don’t eat there often.
If your booking is not definite ( refundable ), you might like to consider other options convenient from França station. I stayed in January at 2* hotel Oasis for about € 50 without breakfast. The room was very simple, a bit dark with no view, but fine. Wifi worked well. Then 10 days ago, I stayed at 3* hotel Del Mar which was aross the square Plaça del Palau from Oasis. The deal was better there, € 53.00 per night including breakfast. The room was larger, wifi fine, and as I requested, I got the 4th floor room with a full view of the square + a bit of Cathdral del Mar in El Born and Tibidabo behind. I could have booked this hotel at Booking.com for € 50.00 (no breakfast) but the hotel’s site lets you choose "room only" rate and gives you free breakfast so it was like I got it for €3.00.
I had been to Barcelona many times and have always stayed in Eixample / Ramblas areas. But these times I looked for hotels near El Born and closer to the beach ( for walks and obviously not for swimming ). Also I like having a large view ( of anything, sky light ) from the room. I got all those at Del Mar hotel besides very low rate.
Everyday I walked to El Born and the beach. For farther places like Plaça d’Espanya, I used bus. There is a Pla del Palau stop located conveniently in front of the 2 hotels I stayed at. You buy “T10” tikcet for 10 rides at Airport station ( the cost will get only a little over €1.00 per ride ). With T10, you can take metro, bus, train to airport, although I take rarely metro. Last time during my 4-day stay I either walked or took the bus all the time and never the metro. Used Bus No 14 & 59 a few times only to get to Plaça de Catalunya as well.
Based there I was by the port, next to El Born, Barcelonetta beach was about 5 minutes walk and all worked well for me.
Also the well known restaurant 7 Portes is only a few doors away in the same block from Del Mar. A few years ago on a new year's eve evening, I ateat tha table of Catherine Deneuve ( there is a plate with her name on the wall ). Woody Allen’s was about next to it. In January Montserrat Caballé was next to my table ( again just a plate, not herself of course ). My table was with a plate of a (supposedly) local Catalan military general… Still rather expensive for a brasserie kind of place so I don’t eat there often.
Feb 19th, 2015, 06:58 AM
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To check train timetable.
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/
But do not change the train at Sants, the main large station. Above timetable gives Airport - Sants - França but changing at Passeig Gracia is much easier. All the trains going to França stops there as well and you don't need to change the platform there. At Sants, a huge station, if you happen to have to change platform, that can be a bit of hassle.
http://www.tmb.cat/en/bitllets-i-tarifes
€2.15 for a single ticket - Zona 1
€9.95 for a T10 ( 10 rides ) - Zona 1
( €1.00 per ride with T10 that's less than half of a single ticket. )
http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/cercanias/barcelona/
But do not change the train at Sants, the main large station. Above timetable gives Airport - Sants - França but changing at Passeig Gracia is much easier. All the trains going to França stops there as well and you don't need to change the platform there. At Sants, a huge station, if you happen to have to change platform, that can be a bit of hassle.
http://www.tmb.cat/en/bitllets-i-tarifes
€2.15 for a single ticket - Zona 1
€9.95 for a T10 ( 10 rides ) - Zona 1
( €1.00 per ride with T10 that's less than half of a single ticket. )
Mar 5th, 2015, 11:03 AM
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kappa1:
I am zeroing in on the final details for my upcoming trip to Barcelona and the rest of Spain. Now, re-reading your comments, after having had time to review some area and metro maps, I find they make more sense than they did initially.
Truth be told, though, since I tend to be disoriented when I take overnight flights, no matter if or how well I sleep on the plane, I just may forego the train. After more than a few trips to Paris and Rome, I still have had some misadventures getting to my lodging in those cities. (!!)
So, I gratefully accept your suggestions, but to limit any confusion I'll probably take the taxi directly from the airport to my hotel - then use public transport when I get a little more familiar with my surroundings.
I nonetheless appreciate your recommendations, and please accept my belated thanks to your much earlier posts.
I am zeroing in on the final details for my upcoming trip to Barcelona and the rest of Spain. Now, re-reading your comments, after having had time to review some area and metro maps, I find they make more sense than they did initially.
Truth be told, though, since I tend to be disoriented when I take overnight flights, no matter if or how well I sleep on the plane, I just may forego the train. After more than a few trips to Paris and Rome, I still have had some misadventures getting to my lodging in those cities. (!!)
So, I gratefully accept your suggestions, but to limit any confusion I'll probably take the taxi directly from the airport to my hotel - then use public transport when I get a little more familiar with my surroundings.
I nonetheless appreciate your recommendations, and please accept my belated thanks to your much earlier posts.
Mar 7th, 2015, 01:04 AM
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Zola, if you are willing to pay a taxi all the way from the airport to your hotel for the reasons you stated, I think that's the best in your case. My comment rather against taxi was taking it for a short distance from Plaça catalunya ( or walk which I would not eather when with luggage). Thanks for coming back anyway, have a happy travel! I'm travelling to Barcelona again after summer and have booked a place in El Born area. I will be doing the same method Airport > Passeig de Gracia > Estation França all by train.
Mar 9th, 2015, 02:13 AM
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Have taken this taxi ride two times the past few days, 25-28€ and 10-15 minutes. Very convenient and money well spent. But be sure to tell the driver to go to Estació de França and not to Hostal Orleans. It is litteraly 40 meters to walk from the train station entrance to the hostal, but it's not allowed to make a u-turn here, so if you tell the driver to go to Hostal Orleans, he might take you for a 5-10€ extra round-trip to lawfully land you in the right direction.
Can highly recommend close by El Tapeo, the "Coca Sardina" here made it to the final in a weekend that has been full of diverse highlights. http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html
http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
And again: the bars in El Born are the best, excellent nightlife. This time we spent many late hours in laid-back and 30+ Bar Borneo. Friendly staff, good selection of wines and they know their drinks: http://www.barborneo.com/
https://11870.com/pro/bar-borneo
http://www.yelp.com/biz/borneo-barcelona
Live concerts every now and then: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=2&theater
And don't tell anyone about Xemei...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU
Can highly recommend close by El Tapeo, the "Coca Sardina" here made it to the final in a weekend that has been full of diverse highlights. http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html
http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
And again: the bars in El Born are the best, excellent nightlife. This time we spent many late hours in laid-back and 30+ Bar Borneo. Friendly staff, good selection of wines and they know their drinks: http://www.barborneo.com/
https://11870.com/pro/bar-borneo
http://www.yelp.com/biz/borneo-barcelona
Live concerts every now and then: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...type=2&theater
And don't tell anyone about Xemei...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Lvcjtoh0tU
Mar 9th, 2015, 10:00 AM
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kappa1 and kimhe:
MANY THANKS! I'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD IDEA HOW TO NAVIGATE GIVEN YOUR HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS.
One nagging question: I've seen alerts (here 'n' there)about a "baggage handlers strike" at El Prat. Any recent knowledge? I'm not that concerned when I fly in on American, but 3 days later on 14 March I'm flying Vueling to Malaga - and unfortunately have check-in luggage (paid in advance). there'll be problems??
MANY THANKS! I'VE GOT A PRETTY GOOD IDEA HOW TO NAVIGATE GIVEN YOUR HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS.
One nagging question: I've seen alerts (here 'n' there)about a "baggage handlers strike" at El Prat. Any recent knowledge? I'm not that concerned when I fly in on American, but 3 days later on 14 March I'm flying Vueling to Malaga - and unfortunately have check-in luggage (paid in advance). there'll be problems??
Mar 10th, 2015, 12:31 AM
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Swissport baggage handlers and ramp workers on Barcelona El Prat are on a 24 hour strike March 14, and Vueling uses Swissport. http://www.easytravelreport.com/AIRP...e-el-prat.html
We met the striking workers at the arrival zone last Friday, fabulous noise and singing, "no es una huelga, es una juerga" (this is not a strike, it's a party".
2000 Swissport workers on strike in total on Spanish airports, and to a lesser degree it also affects the Malaga airport: http://www.hosteltur.com/198510_conv...swissport.html
Perhaps get in contact with the airport: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona
We met the striking workers at the arrival zone last Friday, fabulous noise and singing, "no es una huelga, es una juerga" (this is not a strike, it's a party".
2000 Swissport workers on strike in total on Spanish airports, and to a lesser degree it also affects the Malaga airport: http://www.hosteltur.com/198510_conv...swissport.html
Perhaps get in contact with the airport: http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Aeropuerto-Barcelona
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