I've never flown Vueling primarily because I generally hav e alot of luggage and themlowe cost airlines are known to be strict with their baggage restrictions. I'd definately comply with their policy.

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions:

Regarding Vueling and luggage: We will probably just check our luggage although it will be carry on.

Kimhe: I did contact Banys Orientals directly, however, still no availability. I am looking into Ciutat de Barcelona. My question and concern is while we are excited about being in Barcelona during La Merce I don't think we want to stay in an area where it will be nonstop crowds and parties. Should I consider areas other than El Born?

El Born would be close to nonstop crowds and parties during La Mercé. I would perhaps try to find a place close to the Plaça d'Espanya or in the area behind the fine old university (Eixample).

Take a look at Catalonia Barcelona Plaza in Plaça d'Espanya. Close to the local feel Poble Sec with great cafés, tapas bars, restaurants and a short bus ride into the very heart of the city or some 8-10€ with a taxi. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/cata...aplaza.en.html

Behind the university, take e look at these:
Granados 83: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/granados-83.en.html
Barcelona Center: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/barc...center.en.html

I stayed at the Banys Orientals during La Merce in 2005 and didn't find it too loud or crowded. There was one night when the fire parade went near the hotel and you could hear the drums and noise but it ended by 10 pm.

Any comments on Chic & Basic Born hotel?

I stayed at Granados 83 a week ago.... Very nice hotel in one of the loveliest streets in the city.
A zillion good restaurants nearby.

Danon,

could you make me a suggestion for a laid-back and local feel restaurant for a Sunday lunch in or close to C/Enrique Granados?

.. and here are 285 reviews for Chic @ Basic Born, seems to be very popular: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/chic-basic-born.en.html

Sorry, kimhe
I ate mostly at Cerveceria Catalana and alike spots....Love good tapas.
The local paper highly recommended Alba Granados at no.34 but I have no idea what it is like.
It might be a bit upscale....the article was in Catalan, so I did not understand much.
They also recommended Sal Y Pimenta at Valencia no 273 and Pomarada on P. de Gracia ,78.

p.s.
The hotel has a cool , modern vibe , the local "feel " seemed more or less the same .

Thanks danon! I know Alba Granados, and it will be a bit too much for lunch as we are planning on a serious dinner the same night. I'll check out the other places you mentioned.

... and then back to OP's question about hotels in El Born during La Mercé.

Well...I finally booked the Chic and Basic Born Hotel in Barcelona for the 5 nights.

I have a few questions regarding Malaga. I have several options:

A. Stay in Malaga for 3 nights and use one of the days for a day trip to Granada? Also stay in Ronda for one night on way to Seville.

B. Stay in Malaga for 4 nights and add day trip to Ronda?

When and where should I (or not) rent a car? If I have a car rental I could drive from Airport to Malaga; Malaga to Granada and Ronda and eventually drop off in Seville.

If I don't rent a car I could take a bus or bus tour to Granada and Ronda and eventually get to Seville by train.

I am really confused and need some help here. Thanks!

Personally I'd throw in another option - 2 nights in Granada rent a car and spend 2 nights exploring the white villages using Ronda as a base. This would mean skipping Malaga. I really like Malaga but I think Granada is beautiful and especially at night.

Between options A or B I think the decider would be if you rent a car. If you don't rent a car then I'd go with option B. I'm not a fan of 1-nighters.

Does anyone have any comments on the AC Hotel Malaga Palacio by Marriott ?

Hi I am from Malaga and I live in Granada, personally I think it is really depend in what you want to see as always!
Granada offer much more, culturally, historically a closet nightlife. Malaga is more touristic, but apart from the cathedral, Alcazaba (castle) and the museums you only have the beach, (now the new port terminal with commercial areas)Ronda it is pretty but it is also small so you may be able to visit it in one day.
I recomend you the following
Seville to Granada expend the day and sleep there. (Don't miss the Alambra, Albaicin, Sacromonte and the city centre (cathedral and Juderia))
In the afternoon after dinner (8pm)(when you finish)only 1.30h trip -Granada to Malaga, enjoy the sunset by pedregalejo beach or in the new port dock. Visit the castle the Alcazaba and the museums.
Next day Malaga to Ronda early in the morning.
You can visit in in the day or stay overnight it is in the former way from Malaga to Seville

Take a plane from seville to Barcelona!
Check flight tickets at
http://www.skyscanner.co.nz/
Cheap cars at:
http://www.goldcar.es/en/
and my Blog if you need some more help planning a trip!
http://tramp-world.blogspot.co.nz/

Thank you and enjoy your trip to Spain
If you need more information about nice places to visit in Granada or Malaga Contact me!

Thank you Trampworld for your input and I look forward to picking your brain about some information on both Granada and Malaga!

Thank you CathyM and Kimhe for your continued support and suggestions!

UPDATE: I have decided to stay 3 nights in Malaga and have booked the AC Mariott Malaga Palacio and 1 night in Ronda at the Hotel San Gabriel.

I have booked a flight on Vueling Airlines out of Seville to Barcelona and so the only "reservations left" are the 4 nights in Seville and a car reservation in Malaga.

Thanks All. I will be looking for restaurants, sights, day trips to Granada, Cordoba and a place to visit from Barcelona, however, my goal at the moment is to complete the above reservations.

Just confirmed our stay in Seville at the Hotel Amadeus!!

Still undecided how we should visit Alhambra?

By car, bus, or a tour out of Malaga?

In looking at a few tours I see that they seem to be scheduled on Tuesdays and Fridays . Since we arrive in Malaga on Friday afternoon this presents a problem unless there are other companies that do this on a Saturday- Monday. Can I purchase tickets to the Alhambra 4 months in advance? When I go on the website I am unable to do so.

Sounds like your planning is going well!

If I was doing Granada as a daytrip from Malaga I'd just do it on my own and take the bus from Malaga. Sorry but I can't help you about purchase on the Alhambra website but I'm sure someone will have an answer for you.

Back to posting about our September trip to Spain ( after a 10 day family vacation in Mexico).

Just purchased our tickets to The Alhambra ( on a Sunday morning session with an entrance to the palace at 12 noon. Still haven't figured out whether or not to take the bus or rent a car.

Here's the issue: I was planning on not having a car while in Malaga (for the 3 days) and renting one when I leave for Ronda and then drive to Seville leisurely (and dropping it off). I would not have a car while in Seville. Should I just rent a car when I arrive in Malaga and drive to Granada?

Is it better to rent the car at the Malaga airport or downtown?
Is it better to drop off the car in Seville at the airport or downtown?

I will be leaving Ronda in the morning on my way to Seville. Any suggestions on a route that will allow us to visit some nice villages/towns on the way?

Thanks!