Spain/Barcelona
 

My friend and I only have 5 1/2 days in and out of Barcelona late October. We are planning 3 full days in Barcelona. I've been there before. Are there new great hotels? Also looking for somewhere to go by plane or car for a quick 2 1/2 days. What about Majorca? We are looking for something romantic if possible. Hotels in Palma? Too far for 2 1/2 days? Please advise.

There are several new hotels that have opened in the last couple of years, including the Hotel 1898 (http://www.hoteljazz.com/).

I suggest you take a look at Maribel's Guide to Barcelona and read her hotel reviews.

http://maribelsguides.com

If you have a car and what to try something interesting and romantic, then I suggest you check out Mas Salvi in Pals, 35 km from Girona (http://www.massalvi.com/)

There is also the Panticosa Resort, located in the Tena Valley in the Pyrenees (http://www.panticosa.com/). We spent a few days there last summer. It was an excellent. Perfect for a romantic get-away.

I'll be in Barcelona in November for the first time. I searched the various so-called discount hotel websites for deals, but the best deal I found was on the website for the Hotel Pulitzer, a stylish/elegant hotel. Rack rates are 250euro and I got a rate of 120euro, which i think is quite good!
Take a look....
www.hotelpulitzer.es

I didn't particularly like Palma, but thought some of the smaller towns on the island were charming, especially Valldemossa and Deia, but was equally impressed with some of the villages in Costa Brava, especially Pals and Peretallada and thought the Parador Aiguablava outside of Begur was lovely, but Robert's suggestion is probably worth checking out as well.

I would not recommend to go to Mallorca. It would be an additional trip - you have either to fly to Mallorca or to take the ferry. This means, you will lose too much time for travelling.

Barcelona and the Costa Brava offer enough for 5 1/2 days. Depending on your interests, you can spend at least two or three days in Barcelona.

You may drive up the Costa Brava (some sections with scenic roads along the coasts) and visit Cadaques, Spain's most beautiful "white town" and home of Salvador Dali (visit his private home in Port Lligat). If you like Dali, you may drive to Figueres with a most impressive Dali museum.

You may also consider driving up to France - Carcassonne is just 3 hours driving time from Barcelona.

If you stay overnight can can combine everything: Driving up the Costa Brava, visiting Cadaques, maybe staying there overnight, the next morning driving into France, and the evening back to Barcelona.

Regarding hotels: In Barcelona, we stayed at Hotel Boria - a small boutique hotel with super-large, super-comfortable suites in great location, however somewhat pricey.

In Cadaques, I recommend Hotel Rocamar.

IF you insist in going to Mallorca, choose your location carefully. Palma is a beautiful Spanish town (with Cathedral, Royal Palace, Museums etc.), but not typical for Mallorca.

If you want to see something of the island you have to drive a lot. The west coast is the most beautiful one. Deia is a beautiful village, Valldemossa a main tourist destination, Soller is a charming old town.

Mallorca has thousands of hotels in all categories, so it is hard to give you a tip, especially since you did not specify your price range.

Thanks for all the good information. I now think that Majorca is not a good choice. How about Valencia for 2 days?
Would a good choice be to fly to Seville and get a taste of that city, or to go to Madrid for a quick 2 days of museums? Any suggestions welcome.

I don't find Valencia that exciting, better drive up to the north.

Sevilla is far away from Barcelona and, again, I would suggest a separate trip to Andalucia where you will find many destinations which are more attractive than Sevilla (Granada, Cordoba..).

Madrid is an option. The train takes 4:30 (for driving by car count 7 hours).

you can fly to mallorca pretty conveniently with vueling.com. actually they have quite good rates for inter-spain flights, if you really want to leave barcelona that is.
have a look for an apartment in Barcelona, for more space and your own lounge etc. www.way2stay.com.
Soller is a quaint little town in mallorca which you can take the train to from palma.
even though you've been to bcn before i think 5 days is still quite short a time. there's loads to take in! October is a great month here, the weather is lovely and sunny and mild.