Barcelona
 

Booking hotel in Barcelona early September. Have decided to change earlier reservation (Peninsular) and now considering Hotel Adajio Gartronomic which got very good reviews and area is recommended for convenience to central and historic sites. Will be staying 5 nights. Planning 1 or 2 day trips.

Any comments if this is better choice. Saw good rate for room with breakfast. Thanks for any help and advice on how to get there from airport 10pm.

I take it you're referring to Hotel Adagio Gastronomic at Carrer Ferran, 21, in the Barri Gotic. The area is busy, but it's near the Picasso Museum, about a 10-minute walk.

Carrer Ferran is the main street through the Gothic quarter, very central and very popular, a good choice if you want to be near "everything".

You are only some 100 meters away from the oldest restaurant in town and the second oldest in all of Spain, Can Culleretes from 1786. No fuss tradiotonal Catalan food in the best atmosphere, run by mature women who don't have time for small talk, but a fine Barcelona experience that is still very popular with locals. Lunch here is a good idea, and it opens at 9pm at night. http://www.culleretes.com/

200 meters from one of the finest food markets in the world, La Boqueria: http://www.gardenista.com/posts/la-boqueria-market

And 300 meters from one of the most prestigious flamenco tablaos in Spain, Tablao El Cordobes. Only top of the shelf artists perform here, and artists changing all the time. Popular with tourists. Could be a great intro to the art so important for Andalucia in the South, but which also have a certain stronghold in Barcelona, much due to immigration from Andalucia before and during the Franco years. http://www.tablaocordobes.es/es

Here are some of the artists that frequently perform in this intimate (and quite touristy) venue. But it's the real deal when it comes to the artists!:

- Farru: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrxGsksJusU
- Karime Amaya, grand-niese of the greatest of all times, Carmen Amaya from Barcelona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CklXLAvSIyc
- Pastora Galvan, voted best female flamenco dancer by Spanish critics 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2SBUcrJgeQ
- Powerhouse Belen Lopes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hbhkIWSX-Q
- Simply plain fabulous and clean cut El Junco, one of my favourites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sENoCuTQYPs

Three of the greatest bailaoras in the world today preparing for a performance in El Cordobes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7x7jRHDuNU

Many thanks for above comments. Have done searches and think this is best so far and rate is good. I am senior citizen active and enjoy walking and seeing lots of places so wanted to be sure area is safe.

Any other hotels in this area that are popular? Will make the booking tomorrow if this is best choice.

The area south of Ferran is best avoided late at night.

I will continue search tomorrow to make comparisons as want to feel safe and be near to transportation arriving into Barcelona at night 10pm and leaving from hotel going on day trips, taking metro and trains.

I would not be arriving back at hotel late at night. I do my sightseeing in day time hours and like to be back at hotel after early dinner. Any other good choices please?

bm

< I do my sightseeing in day time hours and like to be back at hotel after early dinner>

Note that dinner in Barcelona is quite late, most restaurants doesn't open before 9pm. I would consider Carrer Ferran fine and safe because there are much people out and about here at least until 11pm. But you might also consider one of the many hotels around heart of the city Plaça de Catalunya. Hotel Jazz would be an excellent option: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/jazz.en-gb.html

" after early dinner"

As kimhe says, Spaniards eat very late. However, you can always fill up on tapas instead of having a sit down meal.

Thee are so many places to eat in Barcelona, one does not have to worry about food.

Don't worry about not being able to eat until after 10, plenty of places are open earlier, and not just tapas places. I never eat dinner that late in Barcelona. Many restaurants don't open until 8 pm, though, I'd say, not 9, but I eat around the area north of placa Catalunya usually and all the open air cafes on rambla de Catalunya, for example, are open and serve dinner food earlier.

Here's one of my favorites in that area (which isn't Born, though).

http://www.latramoia.com/restaurante...lonalatramoia1

It has tapas but is a pleasant place and has a regular restaurant space (but not stuffy) with full dinners. I know it is open by 8, and I think maybe even 7:30.


I also like La Flauta on carrer d'Aribau, 23, and it's open at 8 pm, also.
http://www.bcnrestaurantes.com/eng/b...ante=la-flauta

They don't seem to have a website, this is some info
http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-flauta-barcelona

(NOT the La Flauta on Balmes which isn't as good)

I have been to Spain on several occasions, Madrid, Santiago, Burgos and Barcelona and prefer to eat main course at midday. Will not be worrying about dinner late at night.

I am still trying to decide on the best location for a good quality hotel that is not overpriced. I cancelled the earlier reservation so hopeful I can get accommodation settled soon. Also trying to decide on 2 day trips that I can take from Barcelona: Montserrat and maybe Girona.
Do I get transportation from Sants? I will spend 2 days enjoying city of Barcelona and if I decide to take only 1 day trip would like a coastal route to see Costa Brava or Tossa. More information needed here, please. Thanks to all.

You can ger to Gitona firm Sants
I think you have to take a bus or drive to Tossa
A good location for a hotel is close to Catalunya.

Good idea to have the main meal at of the day at lunch (1.30-5pm) as most locals.

As said before, the hotel in Carrer Ferran would be just what you're looking for, and great value Hotel Banys Orientals could be another option in a supersafe and nice area. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/bany...als.en-gb.html

The Banys Orientals is in el Born and two minutes from the cathedral, the town hall, the Palau de la Musica etc etc. http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html