Need Maribel's advice
 

Dear Maribel,
I have read many of your postings and like everyone, have been impressed with your immense wealth of knowledge of Spain, along with Olga's. I would really appreciate your advice.

I read that you have stayed at Hotel Alixares but you never really write much about it. Could you give me more details of your experience there? I made reservations there for 1 night because of 1)location 2)it was cheap 3) highly rated on Rants and Raves 4) we are arriving around 6pm so other than sleeping, we won't be spending much time in the hotel room, and 5)the Parador is just too expensive. To get a taste of the Parador, I figure we could try to go to the Parador for dinner (should we/can we make advance reservations?) Have I made a mistake in reserving at Alixares? Is it true that some rooms have view of the Alhambra? Do you know which ones they are? If it's not too late, should I try to change to Hotel Guadalupe or splurge for the Alhambra Palace? Is the price of AP really worth it for one night (provided I could still get a reservation)? The Fodor's Rants and Raves seems to have rated Alixares very high - do you think it's overrated? Sorry about all the questions but your lack of enthusiasm for the hotel makes me nervous about my decision!

By the way, I'm a little confused about this Mirador San Nicolas. Everywhere it says to take a taxi there. Is it located somewhere very remote and far away? If the taxi drops you off to watch the sunset, how do you get back to your hotel? Is there anything else to do there but watch the sun set?

Also, we (my husband and in-laws)are going to Barcelona and based on 2 people's review, I have chosen Hotel Monegal on Plaza Catalunya. Are you at all familiar with this place or heard anything about it in all your travels to Spain? I only chose it for it's central location but now someone mentioned to me that Plaza Catalunya is really noisy and that maybe I should reconsider. If you know anything about this place I would appreciate it.

Your expertise and anyone else's regarding these hotels would be absolutely appreciated. We are leaving end of June for our trip and I feel like I've done a lot of research, but I keep wondering if I've made a mistake in the places I've chosen to stay. Since my in-laws are footing the bill and have put me in charge of all travel arrangements and itinerary, I feel very responsible in my choices. If you have any words of warning I would appreciate it. By the way, we are also traveling to Toledo, Segovia, Madrid, Seville, and Malaga.In Madrid, we are staying in Hostal Persal, Seville - Hotel Amadeus Sevilla, Malaga - Parador Gibralfaro. If you have any good advice in your travel file, I would love to read them.

I know you've read it many times before but thank you (and Olga) for your generosity in advice on travel in Spain.

Hi Marian,
Thank for for the great faith you put in my Spain advice-it's humbling!
I haven't posted much about the Alixares simply because I haven't stayed there in quite a while, and when I did, I remember the walls being quite thin. But it sticks out in my memory probably because we were traveling with 7 teenagers (all boys!). But I just read a favorable report on the Alixares right here in brianc57's report, "Just returned from 10 day trip to Toledo, Granada, La Posada Del Torcal, Sevilla and Madrid".

We chose the Alixares because of its pool plus the low cost-we were there in late July. It served our needs well but isn't anything luxurious or with memorable decor like the A.P. (but Andalusian tiles in lobby), but elegance or great charm would have been lost on our group then anyway! I don't know about Alhambra views, but I doubt if they do given the hotel's location-brianc57 may remember.
I'm a big fan of staying on the Alhambra hill primarily because of the sheer convenience of getting there and ease of parking. I think the Alixares or Guadalupe would serve you just fine. For 1 night it's not necessary to splurge on the A.P. particularly if your budget really doesn't allow it.

To get a taste of the Parador when not staying there, we go either for drinks or dinner or both. But they don't take reservations. When we've arrived at 9, we've found a table on the patio.

As to the Mirador de San Nicolas (also in brianc57's recent review), it's located up in the heart of the Albaicin, the Arab quarter, which is becoming a little Morocco with tea houses, arab baths, etc. You could take the minibus that leaves from below the Alhambra ticket office to the Albaicin and walk from there if you don't want to taxi. The Mirador is located on a square next to the church where musicians congregate and is famous for its stunning and romantic views of the Alhambra and Sierra Nevada in the background. Some taxi drivers used to call it the Mirador Clinton after the former Prez waxed rhapsodic about the view there being the most beautiful he had ever seen. You can walk down the Cuesta del Chapiz from there to the Paseo de los Tristes promenade along the Darro river, then walk down the Carrera del Darro to the Plaza Nueva and take the minibus from there back up to the Alhambra hil-this is a long walk- or taxi from the river area.

I'm sorry but I don't know the Monegal on Plaza Catalunya in Barcelona. Yes, the P. C. is noisy as it's a transportation hub, it's where the Bus Turistic starts and where the huge El Corte Ingles shopping complex is located, plus street musicians perform there. I've stayed near the Plaza at the Meson Castilla but never directly on the Plaza itself
The M.C. may be within your price range. Colleen just gave it a nice review, and rates include buffet brk. www.mesoncastilla.com

I do know your other hotel choices and think they're fine. The Gibralfaro has great views of the city below, particularly of the Plaza de Toros, the Amadeus, which I just "inspected" is cute, the night manager really sweet and the rooftop terrace delightful (brianc57 says not to book the suite there, just a standard room, and the one downstairs is a bit narrow with not much privacy), the tidy Persal is near a very lively square, the Plaza Santa Ana, in the heart of Old Madrid (just be very careful with belongings when walking anywhere in Old Madrid and leave valuables in the hotel safe).

Hope this has helped you some and that others can fill in what I haven't been able to answer.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Thanks Maribel,

I love reading your advice. After looking at Meson Castilla, I'm seriously thinking of changing reservations. Some questions if I may - the website is wonderfully done, however all the rooms look like they are all 2 seperate single beds. Are there any matrimonial beds? Also, are the bedrooms with terrace much nicer than the standard doubles? Is it worth the extra price? And how many minutes does it take to walk to Plaza Catalunya?

By the way, a question about Barcelona...is it crazy to see La Sacrada Familia, Parc Guell, and a tour of Palau de la Musica before lunchtime? In my limited time in BCN, I want to try to fit in the P.d. Musica (I'm a musician)and this seems to be the only place to fit it (no concerts in June and tours finish by 3pm). The late afternoon is reserved for tours of la Pedrera and shopping along Passeig de Gracia. Will I be overextending my in-laws that day? Thanks again for the help.

Sorry, another question. In your opinion, do you prefer daytrips from Madrid to Toledo/Segovia and returning for the evening or staying overnight at these cities? I do have a friend in Madrid who could possibly show me some nightlife if that makes a difference. I also chose daytrips to save all the hassle of constantly packing - plus the decent hotels in Toledo are surprisingly MUCH more expensive than our hostal in Madrid. Is doing a daytrip really exhausting? By the way, the weakening dollar is really distressing.

Hi Marian,
We're feeling the pinch of the weakening dollar as well, so I understand about seeking accomodations that give significant "bang for the buck".

The Meson Castilla is only a 5 min. walk from the Plaza Catalunya. I can't recall about the double beds. Single beds put together to form a double are standard issue at many Spanish hotels. If we find them separate, we just push them together, since we've found "camas de matrimonio" surprisingly few and far between.
But always ask. My last room at the M.C. was just a standard room. If the balcony overlooked the cathedral or a beautiful square, it would be worth it, but in this case, I don't think it matters. Sandra Gustafson's "Cheap Sleeps in Spain" says her fav. rms are #126 and #464 with sitting rm. but they would be more exp., I'd think. Also check Karen Brown's description of the MC at www.karenbrown.com

Will you just have 1 day in BCN for your sightseeing? If you're limited on time, I'd start with the Palau. The guided tours, given in several languages, leave every hr. and last about 50 min., including a 20 min video. There's an English tour at 11, but they may have an earlier one too. Go to the Palau gift shop across the street to see the schedule of tours and languages (in English, Spanish, Catalan) as it varies, then you buy your tickets inside the Palau itself . But only 55 people are allowed in at a time, and tours do sell out fast, but you can reserve in advance by calling the box office.
See www.palaumusica.org/virtual.html
After the Palau, I'd do the Sagrada Familia, then the Parc Guell last.
Have you considered taking the Bus Turistic? The info is here:
http://www.barcelona-on-line.es/eng/...stic_rutes.htm
I also really enjoyed my guided tour of the Teatre Liceo opera house at 10 a.m. They have other "express tours" as 11, noon and 1. You can check their performance schedule at
www.liceubarcelona.com

Yes, I do enjoy spending the night in both Toledo and Segovia, but I have the luxury of longer and frequent visits which make this more possible.
We recently spent the night in Toledo (and saw Graziella's recommended budget Hostal de Santo Tome-looked nice for the price) and did Segovia in Nov.
If you're limited for time, I would just do both by day trip on separate days, of course.
In Toledo, the Sinagoga del Transito is currently closed for renovations to its Sephardic Museum, and the Alcazar is temp. closed as well. The Sinagoga de Sta Maria la Blanca can be seen very quickly, as can the Casa de El Greco. But I would get an early start for Toledo because crowds are tremendous. I take a Regional Express train from Atocha station, then either taxi or bus (#5 or 6) up to the walled city. It's a good idea to arrive at the cathedral by 10. You need to purchase a ticket to visit the Sacristy and Treasury (open at 10:30) from the Museum-Musei gift shop across the street, and they also rent audio guides for 3 euros.

I take the La Sepulvedana express bus from Paseo de la Florida #11 to Segovia at 9 or 9:30. It takes exactly 1 hr. 15 min. (just posted more info about that here yesterday-I'll post again if you need it).

Hope this helps a bit more!

Marian,
Glad you found brianc57's post! It's very helpful.
About Seville:
I highly recommend a binlingual guided tour of Seville's bullring. It lasts only about 30 min., then afterwards there's surprisingly nice shopping at the tasteful gift shop! I loaded up with beautiful feria posters and bought a tube to pack them in. You can buy tickets for the Sunday corridas at one of the stands behind the bullring on Calle Adriano, at Empresa Pages on that street or across the street, at a little stand next to the Hotel Simon on Calle Garcia de Vinuesa or at another stand on the shopping street Calle Tetuan or just before the corrida at the bullring ticket window. We were there for the first corrida of the season on Easter Sunday with super stars El Juli and Enrique Ponce when tickets are at a premium and only available through scalpers at an astronomical price. But if it's a normal summer Sunday afternoon novillada (novice bullfight), you should be o.k.
See www.realmaestranza.com for the schedule and other info.
or www.torosensevilla.com, then in upper left corner, click on "toros en..", then Espana, then Sevilla.

Thanks for answering me again Maribel. Unfortunately, there's no more vacancy at Meson Castilla so we'll just stick with Monegal. I guess we'll bring ear plugs to be safe. Thanks for the tip on Palau - I'll definitely reserve in advance. We arrive in Barcelona from the States on a Sunday so basically everything will be closed except for the Cathedral, so we'll just do a lot of walking (Ramblas, Barri Gotic). Monday, all museums are closed so I've reserved it as my Gaudi day. Tuesday,we'll have to squeeze in the Picasso museum and Miro Foundation before leaving on an evening flight to Madrid. I hope my plan is reasonable. We come back to Barcelona at the end of our trip for one evening so hopefully, we can cover anything we missed. By the way, as for getting to Montjuic, what is the best way to get there? I'm confused as to the difference between the teleferic and the funicular. Also, what's the best way to get to Parc Guell? It seems as if with the metro, there is still quite a walk to the entrance. Is it on a hill? Can a taxi take you or is public transport the best way? Thanks for all your other travel tips to Toledo and Segovia and bull ring. I'm really hoping we can see the novilladas (they are CUTE!)
Thanks again - you're the best!

Hi Marian,
Sorry about the Meson Castilla, but here's another idea-
Another favorite Forum budget hotel choice is the Hotel Gran Via. It's very near the P.C. on Gran Via but a fantastic location. I should have mentioned it earlier. It's kind of "faded elegance", and it also gets a good review in Sandra Guftason's "Cheap Sleeps". If you do a text search for it here, you'll find postive remarks, and it may be slightly less exp. than the M.C. (I don't mean to talk you out of the Monegal, I simply thought I'd mention it as another option).

When in Barcelona, I let the handy Bus Turistic take me sightseeing to the Parc Guell and Montjuic. After trying to sightsee depending on bus and metro, I've found it easier on the feet, much speedier and more restful to let the B.T. take me around. Perhaps you could buy the 2 day pass and split your sightseeing up that way; first day for the southern, red route and second for the blue, northern route. But... that may not work well for you because of the Monday problem (I'm in transit now, btwn flights, and can't look that up). If the Bus Turistic won't work for your sightseeing, it doesn't matter whether you take the funicular (tram) or the teleferic (cable car). Just take whatever you find closer to you at that moment.

Hope this helps a bit more.