Maribel

Hi ann,
Those two offers at the Derby Astoria and Balmes are indeed a steal! (They're both 3 stars-I miswrote).

I was afraid the BO wouldn't have a room for those 3 nights, since it's hugely popular due to its under 100 euro pricing and location in trendy El Born.

There are so many wonderful spots in the Left Eixample for coffee and pastries (I've listed some in my Barcelona file)-I wouldn't bother with the extra cost of the hotel breakfast (although our buffet brk, at the Astoria, included in our rate, was quite nice).

Regarding the location-
The Astoria and Balmes are only about 4 blocks apart, the Astoria being north and closer to the Diagonal, where you can easily catch a taxi down to Estació Nord for your 7 am bus back to the Girona airport.
But the Balmes is 4 blocks closer than its sister to the Plaça de Catalunya.
The Astoria is 3 blocks from the Diagonal metro. The Balmes lies 4 blocks away from the Passeig de Gracia metro. But I wouldn't take the metro to the bus station since you'd have to change lines, from green to red at P de Catalunya. Also from either hotel it would really be too far to walk. Just grab a taxi (unless you really need to save some money and have 2 rides left on a T-10 pass).

Choose the hotel that appeals to you the most and enjoy the Eixample!

annhig

Hi maribel,

thanks for helping me sort out the advantages of each hotel.

it looks like the Balmes is slightly more conveniently placed.

I can't believe that they are both so CHEAP!

I'm assuming that it'll be easy enough to get a cab from either of them.

regards, ann

Maribel

Hi ann,
Yes, getting a cab should be no problem.
Have a great, great time!

Regards,
Maribel

peterdas

I recently visited Barcelona and arrived with Ryanair to Girona airport, and prepared my trip with an excellend Girona airport travel guide, online for free, with lots of interesting tips from independent tips and reviews, timetable of public transport and taxi prices to different destinations www.barcelona-girona-airport.com

annhig

hi peter,

sadly we never got there.

I'll have to remember your helpful tip for next time we have barcelona on the horizon.

regards, ann

travelgoofy

Hi,
there is a very good connection between Girona and barcelona. What is more there is also a train.
Here is a website, that collects all information about the tranfer from the airport to barcelona. I think it will help you, because there are also prices.

http://www.travelinformationbarcelon...transfers.html

Saludos!

annhig

hi travelgoofy!

thanks for the info; we abandoned the Christmas idea and ended up going in the autumn as my birthday treat from Bristol straight to Barcelona as Ryanair no longer fly from Newquay to Girona.

they do fly from Bristol to Girona, and were I tempted to go, I'd stay in Girona I think and just do Barcelona as a day trip.