where should I stay: Las Ramblas or Gotic area?

I assume you are asking about Barcelona?
I don't like Ramblas ( some do)
.. where in Gotic area?

carrer d'en serra next to carrer ample. Do you like this area???

or next to sagrada family. 2 choices either the first or next to sagrada familia

the very center of Barcelona is Plaça de Catalunya.
Most posters prefer staying in Eixample or El Born area.
Ramblas is o.k. with some people -I just find
the street very crowded .
I have not spend time in the other 2 areas but they are close to Passeige deColon - a very nice street and Ample
(depending of the location) could be close to hip El Born
Sagrad Familia is a long way from there.
There is this google map with the INCORRECT location for SF:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?client=fi...ed=0CBYQ8gEwAA
that might be confusing you.
Do you have a specific hotel in mind?

I agree that Las Ramblas is crowded and noisy. Hotels off Passaig Gracia give you great places to eat and drink and beautiful walks to admire the architecture of the area.