I was told that the Gothic district was the best place for a base in Barcelona. Is this accurate information? If so, has anyone stayed at the Hotel Atlantis? I am not excited about a 5 star experience. I am interested in cleanliness, comfort and location. I am a senior citizen who does not do well with lots of hills and stairs. Thanks for any advice you wish to throw my way.

It is great area in which to stay but the subway is excellent and staying in other areas can be equally rewarding.

Hi Grandma; Try Hotel Colon that is in the Gothic district and looking at the 13th century cathedral. We had room 306 with direct viewing of the cathedral. ENJOY Iris

Iris,

Has the scaffolding covering the cathedral been removed?

I was in Barcelona in Novemeber and it was still there. I wouldn't pay the premium prices the Hotel Colon charges for those rooms if the Cathedral is all covered!

cruiseluv - Yeap, the scaffolding is still there, as of 2 weeks ago, covering the ENTIRE facade of the cathedral. I stayed at Hotel Colon during that time in the cheapest single room and didn't find it that great.

SORRY GRANDMA; We were there 4 or 5 years ago. NO scafolding. Anyways, we had a very nice room. If you go to 'tripadvisor hotel colon' MOST people are very happy with the hotel. And it's a great location. Also, look at the hotel you are considering and see how people rate/comment about it. ENJOY Iris

Sorry, but the Hotel Colon really does need of a major renovation, but if location is what you want, and you want to be across from the cathedral, then it does offer that.

Actually, I stayed at the Hotel Colon almost 10 years ago. Our room had a good size but was really dated. However, our friends had a smaller room but you could tell it had been refurbished. In any event, I wasn't pleased at all with the service and attitude of the people that worked there.

In my more recent trip to Barcelona we stayed at the Apsis Atrium Palace and were pleased with it. I'll be staying there again in April.

Last year, we stayed in the Barri Gotic area and very much enjoyed it. Our hotel was the Hotel Raco del Pi, and it was clean and comfortable, and a great location. We walked to almost everywhere from there (caveat: we walk a lot). It was only 7 minutes' walk to the Boqueria market, and about the same distance to the Cathedral. It's also close to a subway stop.

cruiseluv - sounds like nothing much has changed at the Hotel Colon in the last 10 years! The hotel staff is still grumpy and unfriendly (I posted this on my Spain trip report), and my room's carpet has a huge stain on it. I understand I'm only paying €90 for a single room rather than €300 for a deluxe double, but still...

yk,

yes, I don't understand the accolades this hotel receives. Maybe it depends on the room you book.

Grandma:

Looks as if some guys have hijacked your thread.

I do not know Hotel Atlantis, but I know the location. It is not within the Barric Gotic but at the edge, close to Placa Catalunya (which can be considered as the center of BCN) and the Rambla. From Atlantis, you have good access to the Metro. You can also walk into old town and to most attractions, the area is flat.

Traveller 1959:

Thanks for the reply. I think the Atlantis will fit with our needs. I will write a review when we return.

Recently stayed here. Location was good in Borne on Princessa, nice size rooms and not expensive.

http://www.ciutatbarcelona.com/