| Maribel |
May 9th, 2000 11:24 AM |
Sue, <BR>My mid-range-to-budget hotel of choice (about $80 now with the strong dollar) is the 2-star Meson Castilla, in the Raval quarter behind the upper stretch of the Ramblas (quiet) and near Plaza Catalunya and two metro stops. I've had to travel alone to Barcelona several times lately and have felt very safe there. It's family owned with a caring staff who maintain it well, and your parents would be within easy walking distance both of the Gothic Quarter and the elegant Eixample district with its chic shops and marvelous Modernist architecture. Its decor is not your typical "ultra-hip/cutting edge/post-modern" Barcelona design; it has an old-fashioned, Old World atmosphere (ornate, pretty handcarved and painted Castilian furniture, medieval looking lamps-fairly large bedrooms with some family rooms), sitting areas on each floor, brk rm with terrace (and buffet brk. included) kind of comfortable like an old shoe. It belongs to the Husa chain but doesn't have a chain hotel feel at all. ( www.husa.es) It also appears in Sandra Gustafson's new "Cheap Sleeps in Spain"-her fav. rms are #126 and #464 with sitting rm. She praises the "gracious owner". <BR> <BR>Another classic, stately Old World hotel in the upper-mid range ($150 double) is the Colon, across from the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter. While I prefer the area closer to the Passeig de Gracia (primarily for the great shopping, but I also find it quieter), the Colon does seem to please most first-time visitors (and many repeaters) a great deal. Good reviews on this Forum. Some rms have balconies, and you can sit on your terrace and watch the locals dance the sardana in front of the Cathedral on Sat. eve., Sun. mornings. <BR>Both are Karen Brown guidebook selections. I've found her suggestions very reliable (with only a few minor exceptions...) as well as charming and distinctive. <BR>View them at www.karenbrown.com <BR> <BR>Other upper-mid range, very comfortable choices (more "hip") would be the Balmes <BR>(or Derby-www.derbyhotels.es) and the NH Calderon ( www.nh-hoteles.es) in the Eixample district itself, still within walking distance of the Barri Gotic and Ramblas. But as you know, available hotel rms seem to be a very scarce commodity in Barcelona this yr. Hope you have good luck! <BR> <BR>As for restaurants, "Set Portes" (pretty decor-paellas), "Senyor Parellada", "Agut d'Avignon" (two for authentic creative Catalan), <BR>"Los Caracoles" (yes, jam-packed with tourists but good spit-roast chicken), <BR>"La Fonda" (very inexp. but long lines),"O'Nabo da Lugo" (Galician) are some favorites. "El Mussol" and "Talaia Mar" (great reviews lately all over the press-mod to exp) are on my list to try. <BR>For cava and tapas (and great homemade potato chips) after a visit to the Picasso Museum in the Barri Gotic, we go straight to "El Xampanayet" on lovely Montcada street or the always crowded "Cal Pep" at Placa de les Olles (hard to find). <BR>La Boqueria market (Mercat de Sant Josep) on the Ramblas is a feast for the senses. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps get you started. <BR>Maribel <BR> |
