my wife and i are taking a cruise leaving from and returning to barcelona and we are looking for a good hotel to stay at. any ideas- <BR><BR>and does anyone know the tourist season in europe- and what the weather is in the med. -we can go between may and sept and don't know what is best. <BR><BR>bill

We just booked my daughter at the Hotel Balmes for her honeymoon stay in Barcelona on the advice of friends who stayed there last fall. $103 per night and very nice rooms not far from the Place de las Glorias. We stayed at the Granvia on the street of the same name. The building is grand though the rooms could be lighter and cheerier. It's very reasonably priced (around $125) and well located. Our Friends stayed in the Colon just across from the cathedral and found it not worth its higher price. Hope this helps.

May or september are very nice. Low crowds and nice weather. Summer is packed with tourists and the humid heat is very uncomfortable.<BR><BR>As for hotels, it depends. If you don't want to spend too much money, and want to be near the port, maybe the best option would be the Oriente. It is right on La Rambla, maybe 4-5 blocks from the port.<BR><BR>A little further away, right in front of the cathedral, you'll find the Colon. I haven't stayed there myself, but have heard very good things about it.<BR><BR>If you want to splurge, go to the Arts, on Port Olimpic.

I can recommend the hotel majestic. it is on the passeig de gracia, a major shopping street, and 15 minutes from the ramblas, it has been recently renovated and the rooms are very nice

Bill:<BR><BR>You might check out the Hotel California, a few streets off the Ramblas on Calle Rauric. It's a little under $100 a night, clean, quiet, comfortable rooms and includes a great breakfast.