misha2

We're thrilled to finally be able to take this trip and appreciate all of you who have offered advice last year and beyond. Seems like we've been planning it forever.
Details - 10 people (multi generation, 18-78), end of June 2015

Lisbon -- 4 nights
San Sebastian -- 4 nights (possibly 3 nights SS and one night Bilbao- working with Mikel!)
Barcelona -- 3 nights

I have loads of questions, but the most pressing ones are about housing in San Sebastian and Barcelona, We're staying at the Zuzuabed in Lisbon and taking day trips from there.

San Sebastian- Hoping to hear back from a manager about an apartment in the Gros area. It's so hard to find something that accommodates 10 with at least 3 bathrooms and is still close to the town center. Any suggestions? Or we could spend more (yikes!) and stay at the Hotel Zenit. My concern is that it's so far and I'd love some in our party to be able to step right out into the action. Plus, we can save some money on breakfast if we stay in an apartments, I would love feedback and any leads.

Barcelona- Would love to stay in the Born area. Once again, it's hard to find apartments there that house 10 and have three bathrooms. Thoughts? We could splurge and use all our points plus money to stay at the Rennaissance Marriot. However, I'm less enchanted with the area. What do you think?

There will be many more questions, I know. However, I'm anxious to get accommodations finalized.

Thanks,

jent103

Is it absolutely necessary that all ten people be in the same apartment? I booked the one we stayed in in Barcelona through Habitat apartments last year, and I know they have some offerings with two or more apartments in the same building. If that would be an option for you, maybe contact them directly and see if they could help?

http://www.habitatapartments.com/barcelona-apartments

The Marriott area is definitely different from El Born, but either would be good in terms of sightseeing, I think. You'll be seeing things all over the city regardless. Some people prefer l'Eixample because it's wider and lighter than the Gothic Quarter. I get the preference to stay in El Born (it's my preference as well), but I think you'll be fine either way.

IMDonehere

In Donostia at that time of year, you should be flexible and take two three apartments if necessary.

Man_in_seat_61

If you take the Lisbon-San Sebastian 'Sud Express' sleeper train, this will be one of you nights, of course. www.renfe.com or www.loco2.com to book it.

Robert2533

The end of June in San Sebastián is high season and a lot of places are already filling up because to the Donosti Cup (www.donosticup.com), which this year is from 5-11 July and is expected to attract at least 4200 teams and up to 50,000 players, plus their families. Most of the players will be staying in youth hostels, but not their parents.

As far as finding one place for a group of 11, it will be difficult, if not impossible in Donostia. You'll have to settle with two apartments. Try Friendly Rentals, HomeAway and Feel Free Rentals.

Judy

We're staying in adjoining apartments with 2 other couples in Barcelona in May.

http://www.destinationbcn.com/apartments-for-groups.php

Not sure what availability they have for June but the location looks good and they've been great to deal with.

misha2

I love all the apartment suggestions! Here's what I'm thinking. San Sebastian-- search for 2 separate apartments very close to the beach. I did end up finding a lovely apartment for ten one in the Araba section (?) an eleven minute walk from the beach. However, I really would love to be right in the heart of things. Does anyone know about this area?

For Barcelona, with the endorsement of the l' Exiemple area, maybe I'll just stay at the Renaissance and let go of my el Born hopes. It might be nice to move from apartments into a hotel at the end. Has anyone here stayed at the Renaissance? Or, does anyone know if the Cotton Autograph is so much better that it warrants the extra money?

LilyGarcia

We've also booked through Habitat before in Barcleona and found them helpful. L'Eixample is a good base for a mixed-age group, I think, although it's a big area - depending on what you want to visit in and around the city, it might be worth considering proximity to tube stations? Although personally we found Barcelona to be very walkable, it might be a different kettle of fish of you have elderly relatives with you.

Although I take your point about saving on breakfasts, self-catering (even for one meal a day) with a biggish group might end up being a bit tricky - you may well end up grabbing a cheap breakfasts in local cafes anyway. At least at a hotel there'll be something eveyone likes!

misha2

Thanks. I will resist the temptations offered by those lovely links shared here, and just do a hotel in Barcelona.

Now the question is, for San Sebastian, do I rent two smaller apartments close to each other and just two blocks form the beach? Or, a nicer (and cheaper) apartment half a mile away that can house all of us?

misha2

It has just struck me that even with using all my points, I pay the same (or less) for three apartments in the same building right in El Born as versus using all my points and paying $1700 at the Renaissance in l'Exiemple. What would you do?

jent103

I'd pick the apartments. But I like apartments. I like the extra space, ability to eat meals in if I want, make tea at night, that kind of thing, plus for your group there are private common spaces to congregate. Some people like hotels because they have more services, often nicer furnishings, bars, etc. So it's really a personal preference.

In terms of the areas, both work. El Born has narrow alleys and is generally darker (buildings closer together = less sunlight). It feels way different than anything I can experience in the States, which is why I liked it. L'Eixample is more modern, lighter, you're less likely to get lost. The reality is that you'll be in both areas during your stay for sightseeing. Where exactly is the apartment building?

Robert2533

The area is somewhere near the Amara Eskotran Station. Not the best location, but probably a little more affordable.

For 3 to 4 nights I wold skip an apartment and go with a hotel. You can loose too much time renting an apartment for such a short period.

kimhe

The Araba Apartment is in a part of San Sebastian I like very much. Some very nice cafes almost on your doorstep, and you are very close to the vibrant and local feel area behind the Cathedral, in and around Calle Reyes Catolicos. Here you find for example Casa Vallés, a true institution in town. http://www.barvalles.com/

Even closer is genuine El Rincon, here you can have a three course lunch Menu del dia with drinks included for 10€. http://www.restaurantebarelrincon.com/

And close to my favourite cafe in town after very frequent visits since 1987, Amazonas on tranquile and beautiful Plaza Bilbao: https://es.foursquare.com/v/bar-amaz...05148fb/photos

And you are ten minutess walk from the La Concha beach, and a couple of minutes more to the Parte vieja/Old town. I think staying in this apartment would give you a great Donostia/San Sebastian feel, just a little bit off the most beaten tracks.

kimhe

... and still very central.

misha2

Thanks to everyone for all your help!

After lots of back and forth, I ended up renting three apartments in BCNGotic in EL Born. Hoping it's good.

Kimhe, your endorsements and specifics around the Araba area in San Sebastian were also much appreciated! Went ahead and rented a large apartment that houses ten over there and will be sure to explore the places you mentioned.

kimhe

Medieval El Born is an excellent district, great cafes, tapas bars, restaurant and sights. Very important for Catalan culture and identity. The old Mercat del Born, at the end of lovely Passeig del Born, has recently reopened as a Catalan cultural center ++
http://www.mercatdelborn.org/en/el-b...ltural-center/

Loads of fine tapas bars here, but Tapeo is perhaps my favourite tapas bar in all of Barcelona after my last visit here some weeks ago. The Coca de Sardina tapa is to die for: http://www.tapeoborn.cat/
http://www.tapeoborn.cat/tapas-menu/...ardina-en.html

Just across the narrow alley you have famous El Xampanyet: http://www.timeout.com/barcelona/res...s/el-xampanyet

And 20 meters from fine Basque pintxos place Euskal Etxea: http://www.euskaletxeataberna.com/comer-en-euskaletxea/

And in San Sebastian, you are also staying 200 meters from Bar la Bella Easo in Plaza Easo. The terrace here is a true respite, and very local atmosphere: https://foursquare.com/v/bar-la-bell...38f8ad815ef5d0

misha2

Thanks so much! I'm getting more and more excited! I'm also reviewing old posts to figure out more about our San Sebastian stay. We're thrilled to have Mikel with us for two days and have just about two more to figure out a balance of soaking in the atmosphere and offering some adventure for those who love that. So grateful for all on this forum and for you kimhe.