I don't ask for much, but does anyone know of a great hotel with a choice location in Barcelona? Oh, and in Paris too. Thanks!

Hotel Claris in Barcelona. Perfection.

Hotel Colon -- nice 4* property, right across from the cathedral, easy walk to Las Ramblas.<BR><BR>Have a great trip.<BR><BR>John H.

<BR>I am sure the Claris is a very nice hotel, but... most hotels in this price range (minimum 230 dollars) are nice. Can anyone recommend a nice place in Barcelona for, lets say, up to 130 dollars?<BR>AA

AA, I thought the Hotel Gran Via was a nice hotel, and our room was around $100 (two years ago.) It has a great location, on Gran Via, only about two blocks from the Placa de Catalunya. <BR>

In Barcelona, the Hotel Continental. Inexpensive, nice rooms, very central, free food available all day!<BR><BR>http://www.hotelcontinental.com/home_ramblas.htm<BR><BR>Doug

<BR>Thanks Capo and Doug. I will try those 2 places.<BR>AA

Dear Mary,<BR>Have just returned to Australia last saturday and can highly recommend the Hotel St. Dominque on Rue St. Dominque, Paris, in the 7th Arr. and Hotel Nouvell on Carrer Santa Anna Barcellona, in the Barri Gotti Area. As we were travelling for 6 weeks we were on a strict budget and both these hotels were within our price range, not exceeding 100 Euro per night. At both these establishments the staff were friendly and helpful and both hotels were in extremely accessible areas. We were disappointed to leave Paris and Barcelona.<BR>Hope this is of some help,<BR>Julianne

Mary,<BR><BR>I stayed at the Regencia Colon in the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona. It's the sister hotel of the Hotel Colon (and is located right behind it).<BR><BR>Great location, wonderful staff, and a fraction of the price of Hotel Colon (I got a room on the top floor, during high season, for about $100US/night on hoteldiscounts.com)<BR><BR>Enjoy!! d.

Need advice from anyone who has been in Paris in late July, this will be my first trip to Paris, is it necessary to get a room with air conditioning, or are the nights bearable with the windows open (assuming I can find a quiet room)? I live in the midwest & we have very hot and very humid summer nights, I find it difficult to sleep if I don't have my a/c unit running. From my admittedly limited research, it seems not many of the hotels offer a/c. Thanks for any input and recommendations.<BR><BR>jana

<BR>Jana,<BR>I was in Paris last summer. The tempratuore was around 90-95 degrees. It was very humid. The hotel I chose had "air conditioning". A poor excuse to what we refer as air conditioning. The nights were almost as hot as the days. The metro was hot. The buses were like saunas. Most of the restaurants were unbearable. It was, mildly put, not pleasant at all. A week later the temprature was around 60... <BR>To summerize the answer, you can never know. After the lousy experience we had, I wouldn't risk it and insist on an air conditioned hotel!<BR>Laura

Another vote for The Continental in Barcelona - superb location and efficient service.<BR>We stayed there in March and could not have wished for more - take a room with a balcony overlooking Las Ramblas - 90 Euros - a bargain indeed.<BR>Enjoy your trip<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

<BR>Maggie,<BR>I took your (and other's) advice and booked the Continental.<BR>I would just like to add that I had great difficulties in finding a room in Barcelona for NOVEMBER!!! All hotels were booked solid.<BR>So, thank you again,<BR>AA<BR>

Hello AA,<BR>I am sure that you will not be disappointed with your choice.<BR>It is always wise to book at least six months in advance if you possibly can for places like Barcelona, Paris and Prague.<BR>I hope you enjoy Barcelona, the best way to see the city is by taking a two day pass on the Bus Turistic - ticket price 18 Euros.<BR>It takes you to all the interesting sites and you can hop on and hop off as you wish.<BR>You can get off at the Tramvia Blue stop and take the ride up to Tibidao, this gives you a superb view of the city.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie.

<BR>Well, Maggie, I looks like I have to thank you again!<BR>This is an excellent advice. Any more good hints?<BR>AA

Hi AA<BR>Restaurant Nuria, right across the road from The Continental has a very good, reasonably priced, menu if you want somewhere close by to eat.<BR>The Barri Gothic (the old quarter) is a maze of narrow streets with the cathedral in the centre.<BR>You must see the traditional dance - The Sardana - which is performed at various times in the square in front of the cathedral. The desk clerk at the hotel will probably be able to let you have details.<BR>Barceloneta, the old fishermans quarter, is also a good place to wander around with lots of excellent fish restaurants.<BR>Walking down Las Ramblas from Placa Catalunya down to the Colombus monument is an experience in itself with lots of living statues, maybe not quite so many in November though.<BR>Las Ramblas and the Barri Gothic are supposed to be the worst place for pick-pockets, but we had no trouble, just use common sense and don't flaunt any valuables such as watches and cameras.<BR>Hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did mine.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie

Hi AA<BR>Restaurant Nuria, right across the road from The Continental has a very good, reasonably priced, menu if you want somewhere close by to eat.<BR>The Barri Gothic (the old quarter) is a maze of narrow streets with the cathedral in the centre.<BR>You must see the traditional dance - The Sardana - which is performed at various times in the square in front of the cathedral. The desk clerk at the hotel will probably be able to let you have details.<BR>Barceloneta, the old fishermans quarter, is also a good place to wander around with lots of excellent fish restaurants.<BR>Walking down Las Ramblas from Placa Catalunya down to the Colombus monument is an experience in itself with lots of living statues, maybe not quite so many in November though.<BR>Las Ramblas and the Barri Gothic are supposed to be the worst place for pick-pockets, but we had no trouble, just use common sense and don't flaunt any valuables such as watches and cameras.<BR>Hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did mine.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie

Hi AA<BR>Restaurant Nuria, right across the road from The Continental has a very good, reasonably priced, menu if you want somewhere close by to eat.<BR>The Barri Gothic (the old quarter) is a maze of narrow streets with the cathedral in the centre.<BR>You must see the traditional dance - The Sardana - which is performed at various times in the square in front of the cathedral. The desk clerk at the hotel will probably be able to let you have details.<BR>Barceloneta, the old fishermans quarter, is also a good place to wander around with lots of excellent fish restaurants.<BR>Walking down Las Ramblas from Placa Catalunya down to the Colombus monument is an experience in itself with lots of living statues, maybe not quite so many in November though.<BR>Las Ramblas and the Barri Gothic are supposed to be the worst place for pick-pockets, but we had no trouble, just use common sense and don't flaunt any valuables such as watches and cameras.<BR>Hope you enjoy your trip as much as I did mine.<BR>Regards<BR>Maggie

<BR>Maggie,<BR>What should I say now?<BR>You are like an excellent travel guide!<BR>Well, thanks again!<BR>AA