tammyps

I have two reservations at boutiques hotels in Barcelona . One is on Corts Catalanes & C del Bruc.

The other in closer to water and city center on C de Argenteria & Manresa.

Reviews all say these are great locations. Doesn anyone know if one area might be more centrally located, safer, etc. We will exploring the city for 7 days on foot. The hotel closer to city is more expensive. First time to Barcelona, any comments would help.

Robert2533

The names of the properties would help, but making some assumptions, one would assume that you have reserved a room at Banys Orientals, Carrer de l'Argenteria, 37, and the Gran Hotel Havana, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 647. Both are excellent locations as well as excellent properties, but in slightly different areas. Overall, I'd go with the Gran Hotel Havana. From there it's an easy walk to the center of the action.

tammyps

Thanks, Yes Banys Orientals is one of them. The other was Gran Via 678. But I think Banys is better located.

Do you have an opinion on the hotel rooms vs the suites (located separate from hotel), i.e., security, convenience, quietness

tammyps

Robert,

I am bit confused Hotel Havana looks further out than Hotel Banys, from the action. Do you mean it is a nicer property and an easy walk. Do you know how many minutes to walk between the two hotels? Hard to tell on map. Thx

Robert2533

The distance is about a 20-minute walk. The Banys Orientals is a little closer to the Catedral.

Cowboy1968

IMO, unless you reside directly on Pl. Catalunya, most other central locations can be a bit too far for walking distance either from the Old Town or from the "Gaudi Rectangle" on Passeig de Gràcia.
If you want a more "medieval" neighborhood with narrow alleys, the Banys Oriental in the Born would be a good location.
If you prefer the more lofty or spacious feeling, Eixample/ Gran Via may be better.

There are many neighborhoods which are prime locations for going out at night or having dinner. The Old Town is by far not the only place where the "action" is.
Some like the Born area better, others love the area 1-2 blocks left of Pg de Gracia much more.
Places on the waterfront or old harbor would be in easier walking distance from the Banys Oriental.

But you will probably (or hopefully) end up trying out different neighborhoods of the city for dining or drinks, from Barri Gotic or Born to left Eixample, maybe even take the metro for 5 minutes to Gracia for the totally different experience of a small town within the big city.

So you will end up taking taxis or metro to here or there anyway. And, unless you are outstanding hikers, you will definetely not be able to see what the city has to offer just "on foot". It's not a tiny town where you could find the "perfect spot" and have everything in walking distance.

danon

The street BO is on is a very busy pedestrian street.
Cowboy is absolutely right....some prefer " action " around Born and the old town,
others, like myself, Eixample closer to Rambla de Catalunya ( not Ramblas).

tammyps

Thanks for great feedback. I need a little clarification. I am looking at my Barcelona map, approx where are Eiample and Born areas? Also I didn't understand Cowboys first sentence about PI Catalunya. I get that Bari Gothic area is narrow and busy.

Again, would Hotel Havanas be too far out? Yes, we will be exploring other areas, but want to be fairly central and have easy access to shop, entertainment, eat, etc. First time in Barcelona so bear with me.

danon

Eixample. is a good size area of the city.
HH is in a good location .
As. Cowboy said, you will have to take a metro to reach some attractions wherever
you are.
Pl. Catalunya is the very centre of Barcelona.

Cowboy1968

We will not know what is "fairly central" or "easy access".
If you mean groceries stores, small supermarkets, bakeries, streetside cafes and bars, restaurants - yes, those are everywhere in max 1-2 blocks walking distance.

Sights I would be willing to walk to if I was at that Havana Hotel:

Passeig de Gracia with the Gaudi mansions (Casa Battlo, Pedrera, Amatller and the other ones whose names I forget)
Arc de Triomf and Parc de Ciutadella
Pl. Catalunya and the upper part of the Old Town, e.g. the Cathedral, Picasso museum, Boqueria, Rambles,

Sights I would take public transport to (I am a bit lazy)

> Sagrada Familia (not because the walk was too long, but there is nothing really exciting to see in between your hotel and the temple). BUt from SF I would walk to Hospital de Sant Pau, caveat: closures/ renovations had been mentioned above, I think. Actually, I would take the metro to Sant Pau and walk from there to SF (cause that would be downhill, I told ya, I am lazy)
> The Old Harbor and Waterfront promenade in Barceloneta
> Pl Espanya / Magic Fountain
> Any sight/museum on Montjuic
> Gracia, Sarria, Sant Gervasi, anything in the Zona Alta, e.g. Pedralbes monastery, the outlook from lower station of Tibidabo cogwheel train, or Tibidabo itself, or a stroll along the Carretera de les Aigües with panoramic views of the city and sea.
> Parc Güell
> Nature museum Blau at the end of Diagonal in Poblenou/ XX

I assume that most of your "Must see" items are on the "walking list".

Use Google maps or similar.
Put in address of your hotel.
THen look at the map (the Google map, not your paper map) and identify places you plan the visit, e.g. the Cathedral
Right click on the location (if it has a marker)
CHoose "Route to here"
By default you will get a result for driving directions.
Click on the little walking man icon. You will then get the results for walking, incl. kms and time.
This does not always work excellent in the old town maze of alleys, but usually gives you an idea.

You can also opt for directions with public transport, if available for Barcelona.

As danon said, Eixample is a huge part of the city.
When you look at your map: All that checkboard-pattern grid that covers probably half of your map is Eixample.
Born is part of the Old Town. On your map it's the fairy small rectangle bordered by Via Laietana, Parc de Ciutadella, C/ Princesa and Pla de Palau.

Dukey1

The Hotel Havana is just a few minutes walk from the Placa Catalunya unless I am thinking of a totally different Hotel Havana. The other "issue" is: how fast do you walk?

Nothing that I recall in Barcelona which is "close to the water" would be considered near the center of the city.

Robert2533

Yes, the Gran Hotel Havana (now part of the Silken Group) is only a few minutes walk from Plaça Catalunya.

tammyps

All great info. Thanks so much.

WWanderer

If you want to see the Eixample district on a map, go to Google Maps, go to Barcelona, and just search for "Eixample". The boundaries of the district will be displayed. That goes for "Gracia" as well. We've chose the Hotel Europar in Eixample--got a really good rate.