Barcelona vs. Sitges
 

Like others, I'm having a hard time finding a reasonably-priced (say under $80) hotel in Barcelona from May 1 to 4. I've found a couple of vacancies at really nice resort-hotels in Sitges. While some have recommended staying in Sitges and then taking the train to Barcelona, how convenient (and realistic) is this? Also, from the description of the hotel in Sitges, since it's on the beach, it's about 2 km. from the train station. How does one get from the hotel to the station? Do these hotels have a shuttle service to the downtown area? Or should I just pay more and book myself at a Barcelona Hotel? <BR> <BR>Thanks!

Hi Pia <BR> I was in both Barcelona and Sitges in November. You can travel easily between the two by train - I think about a half hour. The train station in Sitges is just a 5 minute walk to the beach. <BR> In Barcelona, we stayed the Peninsular Hotel. I found in a travel guide. It's just off the Ramblas. It was around $40 a night for a double - not a fancy tourist hotel like a Sheraton! But it was clean, included breakfast and convenient. Rooms vary, so if you don't like the first, ask to see a second. <BR> Sitges reminds me of Miami - palm trees, etc. Even in November it was mild enough to walk in shirt sleeves the day we were there. <BR> I don't know about shuttles in Sitges, but 2 km doesn't seem too far unless you have a ton of luggage. <BR> Also check out Montserrat - a monestary in the mountains, about an hour west of Barcelona - you can buy a $27 RT ticket that includes a nice lunch, cable cars and feniculars. <BR> Let me know if you have more questions.

3rd attempt? Sure tough posting to the forum today. <BR> <BR>Hi, Pia, <BR>We’re big fans of Sitges – nice beach, shops, cafes, street life, architecture, views…and all about 25 min. from the center of Barcelona via cheap commuter train (runs pretty late, too.) Don’t know which hotels you’re looking at; there is a development on the east end of Sitges where there’s a big convention-type hotel (Melia?) which I guess is about 2km from the station. We like the Hotel Santa Maria (sister hotel the Nina – get it?) on the beach in the main part of town – about a 10 min. walk from the station. Cabs are cheap, though. Ray’s right about the feeling – like a beach resort but with the Ramblas a half hour away. <BR>

Hi Ray and John, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the great advise. Other friends have adviced staying in Barcelona so that one can experience the city's nightlife (not that I'm by any means a night owl!) and then maybe move to Sitges on my last night/day (I leave town on a late afternoon flight). Still have not made up my mind. I'm keeping my reservation at the Gran Melia until I find something in Barcelona. <BR> <BR>Looking forward to my first trip to Barcelona! <BR> <BR>P.S. It's been almost impossible to post messages. This is my third try. Hope it makes it.

Pia, <BR> <BR>I just came back from Barcelona and stayed at the Best Western Hotel Splendid. It's about a five to ten minute walk from the Placa Catalunya. We had a triple room which came to about $40/person. I don't know how many people are staying in your room, but this might be in your price range. They offer an internet special...try www.hotel-splendid.com (I think). It was just opened in June 1999 and it's a really nice hotel. The rooms are very clean and well-kept. The bathrooms are quite bit for European standards. It was such a treat to see a tub in the bathroom! A full breakfast buffet comes w/ your stay and you can really fill up. The hotel staff is very helpful. I would highly recommend this hotel to you.

We will also be traveling to Barcelona in July and are considering staying in Sitges because of price and simply because we love being on the beach. One of the reasons we decided on this was that the train ride is only about 25 minutes - definately bearable. I do have one question though: <BR> <BR>How late do the trains run? We are going with a group of 8 people, we are all relatively young (under 30) and will most likely be experiencing the nightlife, out into the late hours of the night. My guess is that we would be making our way back into Sitges at about 3am. If the trains do not run at these hours, then what are other options and their approximate costs? <BR> <BR>Any help is appreciated.

Pia, it sounds like you have been getting info about the resort hotels on the north end of Sitges - if you've got much luggage (like more than a backpack and one small bag), it's going to be too far to walk. They have taxis right at the station so you don't have to worry about looking for one. I don't know how much they are because I walked from the train station to the hostal I stayed in. <BR> <BR>Last train from Barcelona is 22:30 and first one is either 6 or 6:30 am. You miss the train, you're in Barcelona until the am or you take a taxi (about $35). If you end up needing a taxi, a little Spanish is definitely worthwhile knowing. Or get someone who does speak Spanish and a little english, to write down on a piece of paper where you need to go. <BR> <BR>Train takes less than half-hour to Barcelona. Caution - stay off the inbound trains until about 9 (everyone's gone to work then) for a less crowded train ride. <BR> <BR>I stayed at a hostal just off the Ramblas near La Boqueria. Doing it over again, if I stayed in Barcelona - I'd choose the Eixample area and not the Ramblas. Hope this helps.