I am trying to make a reservation at this hotel for April 2008. I have e-mailed this hotel two times, requesting availability & rates (4 days between each e-mail)- and have yet to receive a response. Has anyone else experienced difficulties trying to book this hotel? Any suggestions would be helpful.

I assume you are talking about Banys Orientals in Barcelona? I stayed there last December. I recall no delays in having my e-mails answered. I believe there is a reservations link on its website as well. Have you tried that? Regarding the hotel itself, be prepared for very thin walls. (We heard the whole conversation next door.) On the other hand, we loved the location!

Ngodeia, thanks for responding. On their website, it is only an e-mail link.
I am considering staying in one of their suites which is located in another building. Any info about those?

I stayed in a regular double, so can't comment on the suites.

I hope it has answered your e-mails by now. If not, maybe you can try calling directly.

During my stay, one guy spoke very good English (unfortunately, I don't speak any Spanish), the others had a bit of a problem. Maybe they are waiting for an English speaker to respond to you?

We stayed in a suite last April and really am glad we did. Walls were not thin--place was very modern and comfortable with nice perks--free bottled water, slippers, and fruit when we arrived as well as a free internet access room. The suites are on another block, but were worth the walk.

I booked on the website on the internet and didn't have any problem doing so. Don't know why you're having trouble--I'm computer illiterate (but could it have to do with your firewalls?).

Only thing I didn't like was the restaurant that's part of the hotel--there're so many wonderful places to eat in Barcelona and this meal wasn't that good IMO.

Good luck with this.

I just stayed at this hotel last month during the Merce festival. The location was excellent and my room was very large with a balcony overlooking the street. It was a little noisy due to the street one evening but that's it. The walls were a little thin but not serious - I could hear the people on one side of me when they were talking loudly. However, I'm not one who spends a great deal of time hanging out in my room. The bathroom was also very large and modern. The only negative about the bathroom was a "moldy" smell. I don't think it was due to dirtiness but rather the bathroom door closed tightly and there was no way to keep it open and let air in. When I was in the room I put a chair against the door to keep it open and the "moldy" smell was greatly reduced. The staff at the front desk were very helpful and friendly (contrary to many posts on tripadvisor).

I had a very different experience than artlover at the restaurant, Senor Peralleda. I loved this place. The decor was beautiful and the clientele were very spanish. A little cone of olives was complimentary. For my main course I ordered the duck with figs and it was excellent. Traditional catalon honey and cheese for dessert with a glass of Pedro Ximenez...yum.

CathyM
Noise from the street, thin walls so one can hear people in the next room, moldy smell from the bath room so you had to put a chair against the door - and you really LIKED this hotel??

Street noise:

On a Saturday night when you are facing a busy street during the evening of the largest festival of the year in a city the size of Barcelona I can't think of any hotel where you would not hear SOME street noise. Not enough to prevent me from sleeping but just a little. If I had requested a room in the back I likely would have not had any street noise....but I also would have not enjoyed watching people and the evening unfold from my balcony. It's a trade-off and I specifically requested a room facing the street with a balcony.

Thin walls-
There was only ONE occurance (in 5 nights) when I could hear my neighbors and I was standing in the bathroom. They may have likely been in their bathroom standing 10 feet from me. This is no different from every other hotel I've stayed at in Spain - many 4* included. The noise level from the room next door was no different from where I live at home. I live in a condo and can sometimes hear my neighbors if they are talking VERY loudly.

Bathroom smell-
This was the only negative thing. It was not overpowering, but very faint. I still felt it my obligation to mention this one negative issue. It was NOT dirty just smelled like fresh air was needed due to how the door slammed tight and could not be left open to breathe.

I would definately stay here again, hands down.

By the way, it is also recommended as one of the 50 best hotels in the world (2003) and 10 best in the Med (2004) by Conde Nast and is included in Maribel's guide.

It's a small hotel in an area of Barcelona where there are only 2 hotels (El Born), so it is a difficult hotel to book and the rates are very reasonable for Barcelona.

adrien i've booked a room for April 2008 by sending them an email. They replied to me the following day.
I've found the prices for barcelona hotels quite expensive, so 99€/night for nice decor and great location.. well i don't really care if the walls will be thin!

Thanks for all the comments which have been helpful.
In my two e-mails and one fax, I only requested pricing and availability and did not supply any credit card info. In booking other hotels for our Costa Brava/Barcelona vacation- Mas Pau, Playa Sol and Hotel Aiguablava, I initially sent out a similar e-mail. In all those cases, I received a timely response to which I then supplied my credit card info in order to book a room.
I prefer (and feel more comfortable) supplying my credit card information after getting a response.

Adrien you're absolutely right. I've asked for availability and they replied to me. I send them by fax by credit card details only after they replied and there was an available room. I can't understand why they haven't replied to you by now though..