My daughter and 2 other university students are on their way to a conference in Madrid. <BR>At the last moment, they have been told they have to fly through Barcelona and spend 2 nights there (21-23, sept - only 3 days from today!). I have searched for reasonably priced hotels for them (3 stars or less) with absolutely no success. Everything in Barcelona seems to be filled up! <BR> <BR>Can anyone help me with a recommendation for a hotel anywhere in barcelona which might have rooms at the last minute????? <BR> <BR>thanks in advance... <BR> <BR>

Topped another Barcelona hotel thread for you, Steve. Good luck! [It's titled "She's going to kill me..." -- you'll see why once you read it

Probably most hotels in Barcelona are going to be completely full for the week. That week is "La Merce", the most important festivities in the city... <BR> <BR>If you are unable to find a hotel in Barcelona, maybe you could try to find a hotel in Sitges, Casteldefels, or Sant Cugat. Not necesarily in Barcelona, but close enough... <BR> <BR>I would also recommend that you try hotels like the following: <BR> <BR>Hotel Pedralbes <BR>Hotel Arenas <BR>Hotel Les Corts <BR>Tryp Presidente <BR> <BR>These are NOT in a convenient location for sightseeing, but they are in Barcelona. Any of these should fit your budget.

Thanks for the information. <BR> <BR>Since they have to continue on to madrid on Sunday, maybe they should go straight from the barcelona airport to Madrid as soon as they get there. <BR> <BR>Can anyone tell me if there's a train staion at the barcelona airport where they can catch a train to madrid???

There is a train station at the airport, but you won't get a train to Madrid there. You need to take the train and get down at Sants Estacio. There you may take the next available train to Madrid. However, the train takes anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, depending on how many stops it makes. <BR> <BR>I would suggest that since they are already at the airport, maybe you should try booking a flight. It is much more convenient (a 1 hr. flight, and maybe 40-50 flights a day on each direction), and the price difference can be negligible. Spanair usually has very good deals.

Steve -- If you book a connection for the young women, BE SURE that there is enough time between the flights. Heathrow has just raised the legal connection there to 2 hours.

jean, can you give me an idea of the price for the train from barcelona to madrid?? <BR> <BR>thanks...

Steve: <BR> <BR>The prices vary a bit depending on which type of train you are going to take. The best information is at www.renfe.es <BR> <BR>For what I have seen, there are around 8-10 trains a day (kinda bad, isn't it?). 5 of them leave between 7:00 am and 3:30 pm, (after that, they are night trains that leave after 10pm)and cost approximately 50 US in First class and 35 US in Second class. <BR> <BR>To also give you an idea of the costs of a plane, I have just checked prices on Spanair as well (www.spanair.com), and they are around $60 for a one way trip. You can book online for either. <BR> <BR>I would certainly advice flying. <BR> <BR>

You could try to call the "Hotel Colon", right opposite the Catherdral of Barcelona in the Barrio Gothico. I thought it was very nice. <BR>Good Luck!

TTT! <BR> <BR>(BTW, the "Colon" should be completely packed...)

Just wanted to let everyone know that I found a hotel for my daughter as well <BR>as several others with rooms right now if anyone is interested. <BR> <BR>The hotel I reserved at is the Avenida Palace, far above my 3 students' budget, but they had no choice. $210 for a triple? - sounds like a good deal to me for a good hotel in a great location. <BR> <BR>other hotels with rooms at this moment: <BR>hesperia sarria, astoria, and the catalonia park putxet.

Steve, <BR> <BR>I'm glad you were able to find a place on such short notice. I know it couldn't have been much fun, having been the subject of the "SHE'S GOING TO KILL ME!!!" post. Happy travels to everyone. <BR> <BR>Greg