Barcelona Hotels :: Sept 18-21
 

Good day, all.

I wanted to know where to stay in BCN, but I searched for earlier posts on the topic and found some interesting links... Thank you all.

It prompted me to ask a different question. My girlfriend and I are heading to BCN for the first time. We intend to see all we can see, eat all we can eat and party (should we be given the opportunity). Perhaps we'll make our way to a beach if the weather is beach-friendly. Otherwise, we intend to soak in as much as we can during our brief stay.

I was considering rolling the dice and bidding on a hotel (using PL). Unlike other cities, BCN was simply divided into 2 areas:
- BCN east
- BCN west and suburbs

Does anyone have any suggestions? Which would be a better area?

I was thinking that I could handpick a hotel and spend between $100 - $150, but perhaps I'd try my luck for more stars and the same rate.

What say you all? If this is a bad decision please let me know.

Thanks!

If I were using Priceline for BCN i would definitely pick what they call the "east" section which would include the Eixample area as well as the Gothic Quarter.

I've never used Priceline for Barcelona since I like to stay in very particular areas so I have no idea how much you'll actually save money-wise.

Do you have a budget in mind and any particular "must-haves" in terms of a hotel? pool? location? size? etc.

I can understand the lure of priceline, but for $150 per night (about 120€) you should be able to get a really nice hotel as it is not high season.

You have 4 days so you want to be sure you are in the center and what Dukey says is correct. . . West and suburbs will include Sants and Sarrià. . . possibly Pedralbes and Esplugues, which are all beautiful areas, but not what you want. East will include the Eixample and maybe Gràcia, as well as the Born and Gòtic. If I were you, I would check out how much Casa Camper costs. The hotel is awesome, it is in a great location, and offers you everything you would need for a nice 4 days in the city.

Also, you seem to be wanting to spend quite a bit of time outside of the hotel (good for you!), meaning that you are going to want a nice, comfortable, safe hotel, but not some place that is about staying in all the time. So, I would try to handpick and see what kind of deals I could get before rolling the dice and hiting PL.

As for the party. . . always. I could list a thousand places for you go to. What is your poison? What do you guys like to do?

TravelDiva had some brilliant pics of Barcelona. Dont know if she ever did a trip report? If she did,I am sure you would find it helpful as she had lots of fun eating and partying.

I agree with Laclaire...there are LOTS of hotels to choose from in Barcelona and routinely there are "discussions" here about where the "best" area to stay is located.

A LOT of that will depend on your own tastes.

Partying? How do YOU define that term? There is a wealth of nightlife in Barcelona, some of which can be quite wild. Be honest or be bored!

Do you want a hotel in a busy area or a quieter one? I can recommend the hotel where we stayed in the Eixample district, near Sagrada Familia.

Hotel Apsis Aranea
http://www.hotelaranea.com/

Last September, we paid 65 Euros a night. It was quiet (faced inside), very clean, spacious and modern. It was close to 2 metro stations and in a neighbourhood with restaurants, grocery stores, bars, etc.

They also offer a discount if you stay 3 nights or more, which might be interesting in your case.

Hello all.

Once again.. Thanks for the response.. I'll try to answer everyones questions and provide more info.

Here is my reason for considering priceline. I booked a 4 star hotel in London (the Copthorne Tara in Kensington) for $105 a night. If I booked it via the hotel site I would have paid $225 a night. While our hotel needs are minimal (bed and bathroom), our hotel wants are different. We like to get more for less IF we can. If we can't, we're just as happy with our bed and bathroom. We like to be near the action, but away from anything seedy. We don't mind going out for breakfast. We love food. We love culture, art, fashion and water....

I thought I'd try PL for a 5 star hotel in BCN for about $105 or less assuming that I'll be able to get around BCN if I wind up on the outskirts of the PL BCN map. But --- paying so little for the hotel might be worth it... maybe?

We are only there for 4 days and I'm sure there is more than enough to do and see... We only intend to occupy the hotel room for sleep and any additional amenities we have to time to enjoy. For example, my girlfriend might actually use the gym in the London hotel one morning before we our adventure of the day. I would go for a morning swim in BCN if I could. Not necessary -- but nice to have.

If not.. I think we'd like to stay in an active area. If BCN was NYC we'd stay in Soho... or the village. Then again, we're not that picky to be honest.

Whats our poison? Hmm. Well - my girlfriend has a weakness for "interesting" clothing, rocks (like Amelie), rainy days and unique postcards... lol. We intend to eat, drink and dance the nights away. I was hoping we could make our way to Mas Les Cols... I'd like to taste what they have to offer. We just read about some bar that has an absinthe drinking tradition. I'd try that. We're young and open minded so the wilder the better... I heard Ibiza is wild in Aug. I'd like that. If it's too much for us we'd walk away shocked and amazed...which is an experience in itself. I'm going to assume that we'll want balance. Wild and new countered by calm and traditional... Isn't that what BCN is all about?

Ah - and we LOVE wine.

:)

Thanks again.

One more thing - I'll look into the hotels mentioned sometime today :)

thanks!

thru some recommendations we've booked with Hostal Girona and it seems to be a good deal. We will be there Sept. 12 & 13 www.hostalgirona.com. we are getting their best room with balcony for 58EU per night.
BS

How funny--we're staying at Hostal Girona at the end of September. The price is great, and the location looks very convenient. Its Trip Advisor reviews were pretty good, too.

misterstimulation,
I've spent the past 2 days checking Barcelona hotel rates for an upcoming visit.

Don't want to confuse you, if you've already made up your mind, but www.hotelsearch.com indicates that the 3 star AB Viladomat is availabe for your dates at 80 euros, or if you stay 3 nights or more, discounted to 72 per night.
It's located in the left Eixample, an upscale neighborhood certainly, not dead center, but it is a full service hotel, rooms have a/c, marble baths, hair dryers, plus it gets good reviews here and at trip advisor.
www.hotelabviladomat.com
Just so you'd know....

Hi

I stayed in this ( http://www.chicandbasic.com/ChicAndBasic/datosHotel.jsp ) hotel last week.

Clean, modern and central.

It is cheaper to book it through Hotel Club.

Peter

Thank you all.

It's been a hectic week. Im booking my barcelona hotel now. I've looked at all the suggestions... I'm a bit torn between the AB Viladomat Hotel and Chic and Basic. The one thing I'm not sure about is the area where Chic and Basic is located. Its 1 or 2 blocks wes of the Park de la Ciutadella on Princesa. Is that a good or bad area?

I hope all is well.
Kwame

Chic and Basic is on the other side of the part of Barcelona that I like (I love the Raval and anything West of the Ramblas for partying), but Princesa is a hopping street (Princesa 23 is a fun disco) and the Born is full of bars and restaurants. AB Viladomat is a great location, but if you want to be within walking distance of the party, Chic and Basic is your place. If you want my list of bars, e-mail me. Also, check out bcnweek.com for suggestions. Read up on the Short list and go through the archives.

Chic and Basic is all booked up (according to Hoteclub.com). Oh well - I guess we'll cab it to the party :).

Ok.. So I've made a horrible (and rather stupid) mistake.

I thought I found a great deal on a Chic and Basic Apt. However, it turns out that I've booked the Chic & Basic Gothic Apts (which seem to be different), located on Estruch 20... about 3 blocks from a Hard Rock Cafe... very close to La Rambla.

Is this a bad thing??

Hard Rock is at Placa Catalunya at the top of Las Ramblas so you should be fine if you are within 3 blocks.

I hear that near Placa Catalunya is a good location... it's a central transportation hub and is close to most of the major city sights, nightlife, etc. It's at the top end of Las Ramblas.

It looks more like one block.

We seem to be off of c/ Fontanella between Portal de l'Angel and Via Laletana.

map here:
http://www.chicandbasic.com/ChicAndB...map3_r5_c4.gif

See the "C" witht the arrow.

That still looks like a great location (and awesome for the party, which is right outside your door). The only thing I can say is that at night that is not the best area to walk around in as far as pickpockets go. So, be careful with your belongings.