Author Topic: Places to stay in Barcelona? (Read 3945 times)

rushyman · « **on:** April 24, 2011, 06:40:23 pm »

Hi all

Going to Barcelona in June for holiday. Just wondering if any of you have been and could suggest a good hotel for location in nice area and any good restaurants places to visit etc

Cheers guys

Chief. · « **Reply #1 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:46:32 pm »

Me and my friends have decided on going to Barcelona for around 4/5 nights in August. Can't find any decent deals at the moment so we will be probably booking last minute.

Want to go clubbing and also do a stadium tour of the Nou Camp so anywhere near the two would be great!

rushyman · « **Reply #2 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:53:25 pm »

Quote from: IbanezACA on April 24, 2011, 06:46:32 pm

Me and my friends have decided on going to Barcelona for around 4/5 nights in August. Can't find any decent deals at the moment so we will be probably booking last minute.

Want to go clubbing and also do a stadium tour of the Nou Camp so anywhere near the two would be great!

Going with the mrs. Club scene not my deal but Stadium thing is a must

TheKid. · « **Reply #3 on:** April 24, 2011, 06:57:36 pm »

Gonna be in Barcelona for a night pre and post a cruise in August and still not booked. Finding nice hotels to be quite expensive!!

Chief. · « **Reply #4 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:06:35 pm »

Quote from: rushyman on April 24, 2011, 06:53:25 pm

Going with the mrs. Club scene not my deal but Stadium thing is a must

Ahh right, I'd like to see the Cathedral as well but my mates probably wouldn't!

I cant wait to pick up some souvenirs from the Nou Camp. May get a shirt but wouldn't know who to get on the back.

Kopite B205 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:17:58 pm »

I went to Barcelona about 4 years ago. It’s a fantastic city with awe-inspiring Gaudi architecture, culture, shopping and food. I forget the name of the hotel I stayed in, but it was within a short walk of most of the tourist attractions – notably Les rambles; however be mindful of scammers and pick pockets. There are also lots of good food places, both local tapas cuisine and tourist places like Hard Rock.

kmo1969 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:46:07 pm »

We stayed here when we went to Barcelona in January. Fab hotel and fab location.

http://www.hotelbarcelonauniversal.com/

There's a metro line right outside the entrance of the hotel which was really handy after a days sightseeing.

MOZ · « **Reply #7 on:** April 24, 2011, 07:57:33 pm »

Sagrada Familia is a must, as is the Camp Nou. Would also recommend Parc Guell and take your pick from the dozens of museums. Eating at the Tapas bars in La Boquiera is a great experience but I would try to avoid Las Ramblas for food as the prices can be high, also watch around there for pickpockets as someone mentioned.
Look for "local" restaurants normally down back streets for authentic grub offering "menu del dia" normally 3 courses for a fixed price or some tapas.

This is a good site with dozens of restaurants: http://www.spottedbylocals.com/barcelona/category/activity/restaurants/

For hotels, I normally stay in and around El Raval as it is cheaper but some can find it a bit "edgy" around there! Bear in mind you will hardly see your hotel except for sleeping.

To get around, buy a weeklong ticket on the metro from the machines provided.

VamosLiverpool · « **Reply #8 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:01:19 pm »

Quote from: rushyman on April 24, 2011, 06:40:23 pm

Hi all

Going to Barcelona in June for holiday. Just wondering if any of you have been and could suggest a good hotel for location in nice area and any good restaurants places to visit etc

Cheers guys

I'm going on Tuesday with the missus for a few days. Will be watching the 1st leg with the locals so looking forward to the atmosphere. We are staying in Eurostars Lex. Its 15 min drive from the airport. Has a metro line 10min walk away which is then only 15-20 journey away from Nou Camp etc. So pretty good location i'm hoping!

I'll let you know if I find any good places. Just hoping the weather picks up out there....

CHOPPER · « **Reply #9 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:26:44 pm »

Don't go anywhere else but here....http://www.barceloraval.com/ ...You're a fool if you don't.

I've upped this place a few times on here - 5 minutes to the La Rambla, 3 minutes to St Jospehs market with all it's stalls and restaurants.

Probably the coolest hotel I've ever dossed in, in a major city and your bird will love it as well, I guarantee it.

MOZ · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2011, 08:57:16 pm »

Quote from: CHOPPER on April 24, 2011, 08:26:44 pm

Don't go anywhere else but here....http://www.barceloraval.com/ ...You're a fool if you don't.

I've upped this place a few times on here - 5 minutes to the La Rambla, 3 minutes to St Jospehs market with all it's stalls and restaurants.

Probably the coolest hotel I've ever dossed in, in a major city and your bird will love it as well, I guarantee it.

Yep, have stayed here too, just after it was built. Love the hotel and the surrounding area has some great character. There is a great restaurant "Casa Leopoldo" right opposite the front door, probably have to book in advance but the food and service is fantastic. Very relaxed and friendly place.

The hotel is also 1 minute from the red light district which puts some people off but there are some cracking bars around there.

Market hotel nearby is also good and cheaper but noisier.

rushyman · « **Reply #11 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:07:24 am »

Thanks so much for the replies guys. Much appreciated.

Keep em comin'!!

Bondred · « **Reply #12 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:28:24 am »

if you are going to eat on LA Rambla ask to see a price list first, very common for the prices to go way out of control and you wont have a leg to stand on.

The Harbour area is quite nice, as is the cable car ride, but don't go on it when it is hot, it's like a greenhouse.

The Nou camp will take up a few hours, but it is a long way from the centre, also the palace and cathedral are a must, the palace at night has a fantastic fountain.

Montserrat is a good place to visit if you want to kill a day.

deadlybuzz · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2011, 12:56:33 am »

Stayed in Barcelona a year ago, you should check out Mt. Tibidado to see the views of the city, the San Josep market and the other side of Las Ramblas in the old city is a maze of streets worth venturing through where on Saturdays there were farmers' markets and street performances and the sort.

As people have said, watch out for pick-pockets and street gamblers particularly on Las Ramblas (if you see the pea under which cup act don't stop and watch <- my friend's fella was swooped into it) they aim for obvious looking tourists.

Degs · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2011, 01:05:54 am »

Try and get an apartment that somebody is renting.
My mate did it for us and it was half the price of a hotel and was fucking top draw.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #15 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:12:30 am »

If you eat or drink on the ramblas, you will be a fool.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:25:40 am »

Go to Barcelona at least once a year with the missus and always stay around the Gotico area near the Picasso Museum. Fantastic area for cool bars and great food.

See Las Ramblas once and then avoid like the plague. If the mimes don't put you off the sheer volume of people will.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #17 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:36:22 am »

Otherwise known as 'Born'

Just got back from five nights in Barcelona. Managed to not drink in Born or Barceloneta completely for the first time ever.

Chaztastic · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:01:40 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall on April 27, 2011, 11:36:22 am

Otherwise known as 'Born'

a.k.a. Barri Gotic a.k.a La Ribera .... all good.

Quote from: Jonathan Hall on April 27, 2011, 11:36:22 am

Just got back from five nights in Barcelona. Managed to not drink in Born or Barceloneta completely for the first time ever.

That's quite impressive given the temptation of those areas. I can only assume you've become tee-total.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:17:01 pm »

aka not Bari Gotic, seperate areas...

Plenty of plaves to drink elsewhere ( Bari Gotic / Raval etc) and had a knee problem so limit to how far i could walk for first few days...

Chaztastic · « **Reply #20 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:26:10 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall on April 27, 2011, 12:17:01 pm

aka not Bari Gotic, seperate areas...

Aye ok, separated by Via Laietana

Quote from: Jonathan Hall on April 27, 2011, 12:17:01 pm

Plenty of plaves to drink elsewhere ( Bari Gotic / Raval etc) and had a knee problem so limit to how far i could walk for first few days...

As long as you had a good time

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #21 on:** April 28, 2011, 12:54:55 pm »

As always. Utilised the buses a lot as did a bit of further flung out sights.

rushyman · « **Reply #22 on:** April 28, 2011, 10:20:12 pm »

Great replies lads

Much appreciated

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #23 on:** May 2, 2011, 05:00:10 pm »

Hotel wise, try Hotel Turin just off top end of ramblas if you can get a decent rate. It's in Raval but the safe part and plenty of bars close to hotel and then only a couple of minutes across the Rambals into gothic quarter.

mbyx6cg2 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 2, 2011, 05:45:22 pm »

I went to Barcelona last August for 2 nights and stayed here - http://www.hotelpulitzer.es/index.php?idioma=en
Cost about £150 for 2 nights, and was well worth it, beautiful hotel. It's just off Placa de Catalunya, so it's central to pretty much everything.

Like others said, generally avoid Las Ramblas. Although Boqueira Market on it is great.

VamosLiverpool · « **Reply #25 on:** May 4, 2011, 11:06:53 pm »

Stayed at Hotel Front Maritim few years ago, it was really good. Right on the beach front, fantastic location. This year we stayed in Eurostars Lex. It was a bargain at around £65 a night. Its 5 minute walk (if that) from the Santa Eulila metro station. Had more of a 'local' feel about it which we really liked.

gray19lfc · « **Reply #26 on:** August 20, 2011, 04:55:29 pm »

Organising a weekend away with my footy team at the end of January/beginning of February. Got 10 people confirmed already, with another 10 possibly coming. Going to fly in Friday and stop 3 nights. Hoping to catch a Barcelona game on the Sunday and do the Camp Nou tour on the Saturday. Can anyone recommend any legit websites for Barca tickets and any apartments for between 10 and 20 people? Flights are going to cost about £60 per person from what I've looked at so far.

JLStretton · « **Reply #27 on:** August 20, 2011, 05:08:41 pm »

Not in the ghetto area me and me mate drove through, Fucking right shit hole, didn't hang around much to find out were it was but you will know if you end up there

Phil M · « **Reply #28 on:** May 26, 2012, 07:42:03 pm »

Anyone stayed in the Condal Mar?

Am heading to Barca in a few weeks for 3 nights. It's located 10 mins from Mar Bella beach apparently.

Been reading back through the Barca stuff on here looking for inspiration for places to see and things to do.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #29 on:** May 26, 2012, 07:46:39 pm »

A bit out of the centre there Phil, but Poblenou is supposed to have some nice bars and restaurants that are close by. Probably 15 mins on metro to the centre.

Phil M · « **Reply #30 on:** May 26, 2012, 08:10:53 pm »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆ on May 26, 2012, 07:46:39 pm

A bit out of the centre there Phil, but Poblenou is supposed to have some nice bars and restaurants that are close by. Probably 15 mins on metro to the centre.

Cheers Jon. Is there a bigger Barca thread around I used the search but only found this one? Looking for some inspiration on where to go and what to do.

I was there for a La Liga game and subsequent piss up a few years back but didn't get to enjoy the sights or do the whole touristy thing. Heading with the misses this time so hoping to take in the Sagrada and some of the Gaudi museums / designs etc

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #31 on:** May 26, 2012, 08:38:46 pm »

There are a few around mate. You may end up getting a taxi back late at night but no real hardship as it's not too far out.

If the weather is nice head up to Montjuic to

http://www.lacaseta.org/

Plenty of decent places for drinks in Barceloneta / Borne / lower end of Bari Gotic. Anything from expensive to very very cheap.

ThepepeReina · « **Reply #32 on:** May 26, 2012, 11:53:28 pm »

Had a week there with the missus last week, drank once on the ramblas and they shafted us price wise due to being english. Ate twice there and again got shafted, the bill coming to much more than it should have, and things where brought to us which we never asked for. Elsewhere it was great though just dont eat or drink on that street.

Oh and in terms of pickpockets it is badly rife. We had people literally follow us for sometimes 10 minutes to seize us up and see if they could scam us. If anyone comes up to you out of the blue and asks are you english, say no and just walk away. They want to get close and talking to you.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #33 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:07:12 am »

You drank and ate on the Ramblas, anyone and everyone gets shafted on the ramblas as very few places are even decent quality on there. Its been like that since i started going in 2001.

I've never ever been followed by anyone (i've been nigh on 30 times now). I've seen one instance of a bag snatch personally.

Like any city take out with you what you need for the morning/afternoon etc as a maximum.

24/7 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:36:26 am »

Useful stuff in here for the planned trip I'm taking there.

Did a lot of research on hotels, Hally also recommended the Constanza as well as the Turin, plus gave a lot of great info on which areas are good, which to avoid.

Ended up plumping for the Torre Catalunya - slightly out of the centre but by a massive plaza. Excellent trip advisor reviews, check out what they call "Attic Rooms". Bit pricey but I aint paying. Budget versions exist of course, e.g. Expo opposite with a cool pool on the roof, but since I'm going there on business I reasoned that a hotel with excellent review re comfort and quietness were a must. No hotels with thin walls for me and deffo not in the more lively parts of town.

Really dig deep into (more recent) reviews on trip advisor - things aren't always what they seem with city hotels. Visitor photos, for example, show up a lot more than the so-called professional ones.

Oh and there's a big exposition there (the one I am going to) on June 13th & 14th, so quite a few of the 'decent' hotels south of the Uni along the Gran Via are already booked up or only have the expensive rooms left.

There's quite a lot of apartments for rent, an option worth checking out, esp since you're going with the missus. I'm going with a colleague (female) so I thought perhaps the apartment option wasn't really viable. Might be perfect for you.

When you going?

Rafa_La · « **Reply #35 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:42:15 am »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆ on May 27, 2012, 01:07:12 am

I've never ever been followed by anyone (i've been nigh on 30 times now).

Too busy locking up the bambinos eh

24/7 · « **Reply #36 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:46:01 am »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆ on May 27, 2012, 01:07:12 am

I've never ever been followed by anyone (i've been nigh on 30 times now). I've seen one instance of a bag snatch personally.

Like any city take out with you what you need for the morning/afternoon etc as a maximum.

Hally Protects His Shit

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #37 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:47:50 am »

Quote from: Kenny4/7 on May 27, 2012, 01:36:26 am

Useful stuff in here for the planned trip I'm taking there.

Did a lot of research on hotels, Hally also recommended the Constanza as well as the Turin, plus gave a lot of great info on which areas are good, which to avoid.

Ended up plumping for the Torre Catalunya - slightly out of the centre but by a massive plaza. Excellent trip advisor reviews, check out what they call "Attic Rooms". Bit pricey but I aint paying. Budget versions exist of course, e.g. Expo opposite with a cool pool on the roof, but since I'm going there on business I reasoned that a hotel with excellent review re comfort and quietness were a must. No hotels with thin walls for me and deffo not in the more lively parts of town.

Really dig deep into (more recent) reviews on trip advisor - things aren't always what they seem with city hotels. Visitor photos, for example, show up a lot more than the so-called professional ones.

Oh and there's a big exposition there (the one I am going to) on June 13th & 14th, so quite a few of the 'decent' hotels south of the Uni along the Gran Via are already booked up or only have the expensive rooms left.

There's quite a lot of apartments for rent, an option worth checking out, esp since you're going with the missus. I'm going with a colleague (female) so I thought perhaps the apartment option wasn't really viable. Might be perfect for you.

When you going?

Sants isn't far out Jim, just up from placa Espana.

Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆☆ · « **Reply #38 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:48:34 am »

Quote from: Rafa_La on May 27, 2012, 01:42:15 am

Too busy locking up the bambinos eh

You're confusing me with J-McFritzl...

24/7 · « **Reply #39 on:** May 27, 2012, 01:52:09 am »

Quote from: Jonathan Hall ☆☆☆☆☆ on May 27, 2012, 01:47:50 am

Sants isn't far out Jim, just up from placa Espana.

Sants, cheers, had forgotten the name. Yeah, it's the main bus and train station innit? Two stops up from Placa Espana - just Tarragon in between (which sounds liks something you sprinkle on a pizza or in a ragu sauce!).

Far enough from the Gothic centre to be a little less busy, close enough to Europe/Fira and all the other attractions.

Rushyman, if you're feeling a bit flush mate, you can't beat the Wing Hotel

http://www.w-barcelona.com/