We are looking to spend a week in Spain in May and will be flying into Barcelona and will spend the first 3 nights there. Then we will probably hire a car and would like to go somewhere we can chill and spend a few days by a nice pool. We would like somewhere in a nice location with restaurants etc. I am considering Sitges but wondered if anyone had any other town/ beachside locations. I guess we don't mind travelling for a couple of hours or so outside Barcelona.
Many thanks

It's a bit of a stretch, but San Sebastian (Donostia) is a lovely city by the sea. The town is framed by the horseshoe shaped Bay of Biscay.

The restaurants are great there. I would highly recommend Arzak, considered one of the best in the world. Juan Mari and his daughter, Elena,are wonderful chefs.

They are also very hospitable. When we dined there last, both father and daughter made it a point to talk to the guests. Juan Marie doesn't speak English, but Elena is well versed.

We traveled from Donostia San Sebastian to Barcelona by fast renfe train and it's a long day trip, so I wouldn't recommend it, although I loooove Sn Seb.

In Barcelona Castelldefels is nice and I believe there are other close beaches around for your short stay I wouldn't recommend traveling too far.

Would you consider the area around Begur or elsewhere on the Costa Brava? Cadaques is another option, and there are quite a few tempting looking hotels inland in that general area as well. Pool is good because the sea will be chilly in May, or at least it would be for me.

Price range for hotels?

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/17...pagewanted=all

We spent 3 nights in Cadaques during our honeymoon in May 2005 and loved it. It wasn't exactly a lounge by the pool place, but it was a charming village with nice restaurants. We stayed at the Hotel Rocamor - not fancy, but very nice. Definitely worth the upgrade for an oceanview room.

For something special, you might consider one of the paradores, such as the Parador de Aiguablava, near Girona (i[upon a rocky cliff overlooking the ocean), or the Parador Hotel Vic-Sau (a converted Catalan farmhouse).

If you go to Sitges, no need for a car IMO.

Thanks all, I will look at the suggestions they sound great.
Eks probably e250 max per night.
Beach side isn't a deal breaker but I guess a hotel pool is. Ideally we like to be able to walk into town rather than having to drive from the hotel

Eks - that article is fab and sounds right up our street. Think it's convinced me to book the flights to Barcelona and then check out this region. Thanks

I have taken the plunge and booked the flights to Barcelona. As we don't arrive till lateish on the Saturday night I plan to book 3 night Barcelona then 4 nights in maybe Begur or cadaques and then a final night in Barcelona.
Frogoutofwater - thanks for the suggestion of Cadaques, just looking to find somewhere ideally within walking distance of the town same would go for Begur.
Does anyone have a preference for which area would be the ideal base for staying to explore some of this area? Ideally we don't want to keep moving hotels so would rather pick one place.

So the guide books are purchased and I have booked a lovely looking small hotel in Begur as our base. I would like a nice hotel in Barcelona ( with a pool) max 220e per night, any suggestions? Quite like the look of the grand central hotel. We will then go exploring the region around Begur for 4 days. ( any suggestions on places to visit would be appreciated) and then back to Barcelona for 1 more night. We may spring for the Hotel Arts if we can get a last minute deal