misha2

Help! Which hotel in Barcelona would you choose -- The Majestic, The Claris, The Ritz, The Hotel Oriental Banys, Hotel Omm, or would you splurge for the Ritz Arts? I am trying to book today. I love charm, old work and sleek modernism. But, I mostly like things to be squeaky clean and preferably renovated recently.

Singletail

And, obviously, you don't like being able to walk to where the action is, either.

misha2

Aren't Omm, the Majestic and the Claris where the action is? What do you suggest?

stardust

Misha, I don't get singletail's answer either.
Majestic, Claris, Ritz and Omm are all on or near Passeig de Gracia, with the trendy shops. The first three are classical Grand Hotels, while Omm is brand new and completely designer style. Reviews of the lather go from very good to very bad (probably dew to its newness). Hotel Banys Orientals is a lot cheaper than all the others, but probably the nicest hotel in town you can get for that price class (at least, it's where I would go if I didn't have a flat here). It's right in the trendy Born area.
The Arts is all designer, but a bit out of center.

misha2

Thanks Stardust. Excuse my ignorance. I am leaning towards the Banys Oriental after reading your post. Can you tell me something about the Born area?

Surfergirl

You'd probably love the Claris. Old on the outside, modern on the inside. Great rooms, great air conditioning, great pool on the top floor, and great bathrooms. I don't usually go for modern, but the decor pleased me. Surprisingly so.

mgmargate

We stayed at the Ritz approx 5 years ago. After seeing the ARTS I wished I had booked there.

stardust

Misha: note that I haven't stayed at any of these hotels. The Banys Orientals seems a lot smaller than the other hotels, and it's a 3star (or upgraded to 4?) hotel, while the others are 5 stars, so it depends on what you're looking for.
The interior seems 'stylish modern', lots of dark wood and beige walls, let's say, but contemporary. It's on C/Argenteria, which is the street from Jaume I metro station to the Santa Maria del Mar. The Born is a lively area full of trendy restaurants, bars and shops. Most streets are tiny, Argenteria being one of the biggest ones. It's close to the sightseeing in the Gothic quarter.
The other hotels are in the upscale Eixample, with the 'known' designers around. Note: Barcelona isn't THAT big, you'll walk most of the time anyway. Check tripadvisor or venere for reviews.

stardust

Just checked out reviews for the Banys Orientals. Seem mixed. Good: price, location, restaurant, spacious rooms. %Bad: noise (it's a lively street in the old part, that's what you choose, but also between rooms it seems), critique on the bathrooms. Decide for yourself I'd say. It's NOT a Ritz, but you don't pay a Ritz either.

m_kingdom2

I've had a similar problem myself.

I'd booked the Claris, but the reviews on tripadvisor, and indeed this site, show it to have smaller rooms and be lacking in service.

Then i reserved The Ritz, however, the faded grandeur seems tot have too great an emphasis on the faded. Also it lacks leisure facilities.

Now I've a reservation at Hotel Arts, which seems to offer superior service, international style bedrooms of an high standard. Also the option of a swimming pool, albeit a crowded one.

As for Oriental Banys - this is a budget hotel so I don't really get why you're considering it, I certainly wouldn't. The Majestic seems to be one down on The Ritz - smaller rooms some of which aren't refurbished, I wouldn't touch it.

cailin

There was an article in The Sunday Times travel section this weekend about Arts. Apparently it has won an award for best service. The person writing the article tested that to the max - asking for dinner reservations for that night for the best restaurant in Barcelona (they failed to deliver on that one as apparently the restaurant opens for reservations early in the year, and fills up that same day for the whole year!!), Opera Tickets (they did deliver), a rose for his wife (again they delivered - no charge).

Actually - I've just checked and the article is on their website

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspap...134930,00.html

m_kingdom2

Many thanks, it looks like the service will be better than any other hotel in Barcelona.

The Grand Marina Hotel seems to lack five-star attention and fittings, hence I never considered it.

misha2

Thanks so much for all the info. m_kingdom 2 I pretty much went through much of your thinking. In fact, I just cancelled my long ago booking of the Claris for the Ritz Arts. Cailin that article really helped me make my final decision. I considered the BAnys because it was on the 2003 Hotlist for Conde NAst Traveller and I liked what stardust had said too. Thanks so much for your extra research on my behalf stardust. i know it's a little out of the way -- But, I felt the Ritz was the safest choice.

SydneySteve

Which of these wonderful hotels is the closest to Barcelona Sants Station ? I am trying to make two days out of one night ! Thanks