Cost of Casual Breakfast vs. Hotel Buffet in Barcelona - Eixample District?
 

Hello,
I would like advice on whether or not to prepay for my hotel's breakfast buffet plan. How much would I pay for a simple breakfast if I go to a local coffee shop in the Eixample, hear my hotel (Hotel Condado)? I know the hotel buffet will offer lots more variety, but I don't need to stuff myself before a day of sightseeing. Sure, a buffet is nice and convenient, but I don't NEED it. I am just wondering, will I spend more at a casual cafe for juice, fruit, and a pastry? How much would you estimate for a juice, fruit and pastry at a coffee shop in the Eixample?
Thank you,
Robin

Well, first of all, how about telling US what the cost of your hotel's buffet breakfast is.

Hi Dukey,
Actually, it is a little unclear. That's why I didn't say it. I am emailing back and forth with them, trying to get a straight answer. But, if I learn from this board that juice and a croissant at a cafe costs only 3E, then I will quit my hassle of the back and forth with the hotel.
The hotel buffet breakfast is somehwere between 5E and 15E per person.
Thank you,
Robin

well, Robin, if it's €5 it'll be a bargain; if it's €15 it won't! but you didn't need me to tell you that.

typically you can get a very reasonable breakfast for €5-6 in Barcelona - we found somewhere on the plaza espagna for €6 each which included a large feshly squeezed orange, a pastry, bread butter and jam, and coffee. for €12 we could have had a feast!

do they give a discount if you pre-pay?

Annhig,
I think there is a discount if we prepay.
If I book the room at the STANDARD rate, then to include the breakfast buffet on the reservation is only 5E/person/night.
If I book the room at the fully prepaid discounted rater, then to include the breakfast with that prepay is an additional 20E/person per night.
I emailed them a few times to ask if this is a mistake on their website, but they don't understand what I'm asking.
I think I will just call.
However, to know that you ate a simple breakfast like I want for 6E is good information. Thank you for answering that.

5 to 6 euros for a casual breakfast is typical. I wouldn't pay more than 10 e for the hotel buffet. Under that, it's a great deal.

I have only ever stayed in business hotels in Madrid, and their breakfast buffets were designed to fill the needs and stomachs of a European rather than a Spanish crowd. There were meats, esp hams and sausages, egg dishes, breads, fish, fruit, etc.

It is my understanding that the Spanish themselves do not take large breakfasts, so if you don't take a large breakfast either, you might be better off having something on the local economy rather than in the hotel.

ASSUMING that your hotel is located in an area with small cafes and bars, that you don't mind waiting for your morning beverage, and that you can explain what you want to someone who may not speak English.

HI Ackislander,
My hotel's buffet breakfast is about 13E/pp.
I mentioned that the hotel is in the Eixample district because I get the impression that the neighborhood is very upscale and also touristy. So, I was wondering, maybe a simple breakfast is artificially overpriced in that particular neighborhood. In that case, maybe a 15E buffet breakfast is not ridiculous.
Thank you.

There is a chain called PANS. They are all over Barcelona (and other Spanish cities). Until noon you get good pastry and coffee for some ridiculous price like 1.50€ (or maybe it was 1.99€, but it was cheap, even after noon it was under 3€). They also have sandwiches, etc. All baked stuff is very fresh and good. I was just there in March.

Robin - in the end it depends on your travelling style. if you like a big breakfast followed by a load of sight-seeing all day, and an early supper, the hotel deal may be the way to go.

However, if you like to stop at regular intervals during the day for a rest and a drink [and a snack!] then I'd forgo the hotel option. this style would seem to me to suit Spain bettwe because the locals tend to eat so late, and you can sample the tapas when you stop for a drink. in Barcelona we only had one main meal in 3 days - the rest of the time we stopped for a drink and a tapas or 2 [or 3 or 4] whenever we wanted a rest and felt a bit peckish/found somewhere that looked good. this fits in well with what is on offer which is a wonderful array of bars and tapas.

When I stay in 4 star hotels (which is seldom, unless I get a very good deal), I never eat at the hotel because their breakfasts are so expensive--20 plus euros, etc.

Since I generally eat one roll with butter, maybe a slice of cheese, yogurt, and fruit (which is often canned or not very good) with coffee, 20 euros is way too much.

You've gotten some good advice from the above posters.

One more thing, besides saving money (cafe breakfast of coffee and pastry, even with some juice, 5 or so; stand at the counter for the lowest price) - staying in the hotel dining room deprives you of the local "taste." I don't know that neighborhood well but I'd guess a block from the hotels are reasonably priced places, so I don't think convenience should be an issue.

You need to be a bit adventurous and brush up on a couple of handy phrases if you don't already speak the language.

Eixample is a huge district. Several blocks of the Western part are upscale, but that does not mean that can could not find a regular café/bar with reasonable prices. The Eastern half of Eixample is not that upscale anyway, and you will also find some bakeries with a few tables for a small, cheap breakfast. My "usual budget" for a cafe amb llat/ con leche and a piece of pastry would be around €3. My favorite morning pastry are the ensaimadas - you should try them fresh from a bakery.

But if you were able to get your hotel breakfast buffet for only €5 a day, it would be as cheap.