Barcelona- Hotel Berna Catalonia versus Balmes.
 

I had booked the Atrium Palace in Barcelona, but as I had to change my dates, the rates for late October became outrageously high. Thus, I'm torn between the Balmes and the Berna Catalonia as alternatives. The rates are about the same, 136 Euro per night, including breakfast and taxes. Have any of you stayed or happened to hear anything about the Berna Catalonia?

Thanks,

S

ttt

Hi Surlok,
I'm not going to be much help, but at least I'm topping this for someone else who may know.
The Berna Catalonia is a new one for me, so I checked the address. It's on the right side of the Eixample, just behind and up from the Claris, where I believe you've stayed before? If so, you'd be familiar with the neighborhood. It's a 4 star, so given its location I don't see how you could go wrong.

And as you know, the 3 star Balmes is a less expensive sister to the Claris, part of the Derby group and located on the left side of the Eixample. It's been around for a while, since '90, but it's received good reports here, as have all the Derby group members (the cheaper Astoria in the upper left Eixample near the Diagonal and the 5 star Villa Real in Madrid across from the Palace). I don't think you can go far wrong with a Derby hotel; HOWEVER, I just read 2 negative reports on tripadvisor.com, which really surprised me.
I did check the lobby of the Balmes last summer, asking for a brochure/rate sheet and peeked around a bit, and the downstairs still felt nice to me, although it's somewhat plain. It's near the new more avant garde, trendy Hotel America, so it has some spiffy competition in the immediate neighborhood. Have you priced the America? Of the two, the America would be my choice on the Left Eixample. I prefer staying on the left side of Passeig de Gracia because there are more great informal eateries on that side, such as Paco Meralgo Alta Taberna, El Principal, El Trovador, El Tragaluz, L'Olive, Cerveseria Catalana for tapas at almost any hour, La Tramoia, Tenorio Brasseria etc. BUT the Eixample is the Eixample, "class is class", as you said about Madrid's Wellington. I agree.

Now, maybe someone else can help you with inside, first hand info.

Hi s,
Have you looked at the description of the Berna at www.hoteles-catalonia.com?
The Catalonia Hotels is a rapidly expanding group, and they just opened the Catalonia Moratin in Madrid. The Berna may be very nice indeed, having just been inaugurated early this year.

Hi, Maribel,

As always, you're so helpful. Thank you for rsponding!

I've checked the America, it wasn't available for my dates. October is a tough month in Barcelona, as lots of fairs are happening, most hotels are booked solid, and the ones that are not, raised their rates to the hights.

I would prefer a hotel on the Upper left Eixample, but couldn't find any with available rooms and whose rates were reasonable. I'm a bit wary of booking the Astoria ( 126 E on Hotelclub.net, pre paid and including breakfast). I'm afraid of getting a too small or dark room.

Most first class hotels' rates are over 200 Euro for my dates. I keep thinking that I paid 150 US$ for a twin bedded room at the Claris 4 years ago, and booked a room for friends last year for nearly the same rates.

Oh, well, my daughter is flying free, with bonuses she got on TAM and A. France mileage, so I shouldn't be complaining.

I had checked Catalonia Hotels web site. The Berna seems so far to be my best alternative, for 141 Euro including bkfst, but again, with a pre paid reservation.

Thank you again, Maribel, for your precious advise, including restaurants and eateries in the area. It's always so nice to get advise from an expert.