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Barcelona: Hotel GranVia or Hotel Montecarlo?

Barcelona: Hotel GranVia or Hotel Montecarlo?

Old Apr 1st, 2014, 09:58 AM
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Barcelona: Hotel GranVia or Hotel Montecarlo?

Hello fellow travelers,

My husband and I will be traveling to Barcelona this summer, and after doing quite a bit of research I have found two hotels that both look good. Luckily, they both have availability for our dates. Now, we just have to decide. Since we've never been to Barcelona, I hope that those of you who are familiar with the city can offer some guidance as to which is better for us.

There are two main considerations for us: location and atmosphere...and primarily it's location, since both of the hotels look very nice. We'd like to be able to walk out the front door and be in the middle of things within a few blocks, or a 5 minute walk.

Here are links to the hotels, which show their locations:
http://www.hotelgranvia.com/en/location/
http://www.montecarlobcn.com/en/hotel-barcelona/

The Montecarlo is right on Las Ramblas, but it would cost quite a bit more. Is anyone familiar with Hotel Granvia, or the location as it compares to the Montecarlo? Would you say that the location of the Montecarlo justifies its price?

Thanks for any information you can share!
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 10:09 AM
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OK I know this is kind of tacky but I'll put in my 2cents. We stayed at the Granvia and I thought it was a bit worn. I was so excited from the internet pictures but a bit disappointed when we got to our room. I also had a bit of an issue with them taking my AMEX when we went to check out.

Las Ramlbas really has some pluses and MINUSES - so now that I have thrown cold water on your well researched picks.....I'll suggest the Hotel Colon or Regencia Colon - they are next to each other in IMO a better location. I've stayed in Barcelona a few times - that area is the one I like best, near the old city / El Born. I think Regencia Colon is the less expensive property - we had a triple there and were very pleased with the location and price. Not a hip / designer property but again, good sized rooms and baths, great location. But I'm sure you'll have a great time in Barcelona whereever you stay.
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 10:30 AM
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Gran Via is nicely situated, around the corner from the Placa de Catalunya fountain. It won't win any prizes for elegance...but perfectly OK unless you plan to make it your 24-hour a day home or buy the place. Price is right, the worn down look adds to it's panache in my not-so-humble opinion. It looks like an old Spanish Colonial lodging and is one. Staircase is a classic. I would stay there again over a pricier place on the Rambla. They have a parking garage one block over if you're driving.(Ask for rear room where there will be no street noise).
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 10:35 AM
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https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ironaCadaques#

Cybertraveler:
These pics will give you an intro to Barcelona and also take in Girona and Cadaques (Dali's home nearby)
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 10:45 AM
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We did not like Hotel Gran Via and agree that it had a worn feel to it. The room overlooked the main Gran V Blvd even though we had requested a quiet room on the back. The noise from traffic all night was horrendous. The hotel is in serious need of metal window shades to control noise. The staff were rather unpleasant. Upon leaving we asked the desk clerk to call a taxi for us and the guy said we could just hail one at the curb--DH had a fit & the taxi was called. So I cannot recommend this place. Last trip we stayed at Hotel Colon and liked it--great location too.
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 11:34 AM
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I stayed at the Gran Via back in the dark ages when I was at summer school in Spain. I returned there about 10 years ago. They may have renovated since then, but I remember the building being absolutely gorgeous, but the rooms, as noted, were a little worn. The price when I stayed there were excellent and I love the location. There was a long-serving man at the front desk who may well be there still. He was, indeed, a bit grumpy. Having said all that, I would certainly stay there again if rates were good.


I would NOT stay on the Ramblas and actually try to avoid that street unless I am heading to a specific destination.
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 11:53 AM
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Thank you all so much for your comments.

Suec: when did you stay there? The Granvia has recently undergone major renovations, and they actually are having a reopening promotion now. The rooms look very nice in the photos. So, wondering if you saw the same photos...And thanks for the recommendation for the other hotels. I'll research them right now.
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 12:09 PM
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I stayed there about 2 years ago so sounds like some of my comments are no longer relevant! I forgot to mention, they do have a lovely roof top terrace - it doesn't have much of a view but it was a nice place to sit and enjoy some wine. Before I stayed there, it was the photos of the interior staircase that enticed me. Again, enjoy your visit to Barcelona - it's a great city!
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Old Apr 1st, 2014, 12:27 PM
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My previous reply posted before I was finished!

Tower: thanks for sharing your comments about the location of the Granvia, and the link to your photos of the area. Now I'm even more excited to go there!

Nini: I appreciate your comment, and it doesn't sound like your experience was very pleasant. We would be in one of the Deluxe rooms, and those are all on the courtyard, so at least we would not have to worry about street noise. However, I'm going to look into Hotel Colon.

ek: Thanks for sharing your experience and opinion of Las Ramblas. It would actually be nice to find that the more expensive option on Las Ramblas is not necessarily the better choice.

Suec: It's kind of reassuring that you weren't there after the renovations. Reviewers on TripAdvisor seem to generally like the renovations, except for poorly designed shower enclosures and heating issues.
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