Accommodation - Spain - Barcelona

 

 

The more desirable locals include the Eixample district, centered on the Metro stops Plaça de Catalunya and Universitat, the Gràcia area with its distinctively Catalan neighborhood life, and Barcelona's seafront, which has transformed in recent years into a bustling seaside promenade, home to a numerous luxury hotels.

	Boutique / Designer	AC DIPLOMATIC	€	Sensible
		CASA CAMPER	€	Sensible
		CLARIS	€	Expensive
		HOTEL BALMES	€	Sensible
		HOTEL OMM	€	Moderate
		HOTEL PRESTIGE PASEO DE GRACIA	€	Moderate
		HOTEL PULITZER	€	Sensible
	Classic / Charming	COLON	€	Sensible
		CONDES DE BARCELONA	€	Moderate
		DUQUESA DE CARDONA	€	Moderate
		GALLERY HOTEL	€	Sensible
		HOTEL ASTORIA	€	Sensible
		HOTEL NERI	€	Moderate
		RELAIS D'ORSA	€	Moderate
	Luxury / Classic	GRAN HOTEL LA FLORIDA	€	Expensive
		HOTEL MAJESTIC	€	Expensive
		PALACE HOTEL	€	Expensive
	Luxury / Modern	HOTEL ARTS BARCELONA	€	Expensive
		HOTEL CASA FUSTER	€	Expensive
		HOTEL REY JUAN CARLOS I	€	Expensive

Despite being the most expensive city in Spain, Barcelona’s room rates relative to the standard of accommodation provided are on average surprisingly moderate compared to other major European cities. Much of this is attributable to the significant competition that exists across all sectors, competition which will continue to increase with an additional 2000 rooms having been added over a three year period to 2007.

This provides excellent opportunities for discerning travellers to obtain premium accommodation at more affordable rates, with weekend packages often providing significant savings. However, despite such an abundance of accommodation, it remains essential to book accommodation significantly in advance to secure one’s preferred choice. Barcelona’s high season encompasses the months of June, September and October, although in reality tourism impacts significantly upon the city throughout the year.

It’s worth noting that as many of Barcelona’s hotels were built before the invention of the automobile, parking is a limited and valuable commodity, even amongst the more modern establishments. And whilst less of an issue amongst the districts of Barcelona’s better hotels, safety should be an important consideration.

It is perhaps more relevant to draw focus on those areas to be avoided than to list those districts for which the sophisticated traveller would feel at ease. In particular, the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is primarily orientated toward hostales and cheap guesthouses, the areas within of El Born area, and in El Raval renowned for a current bag snatching epidemic One should be alert and safety conscious if found within these areas late at night.

The area around Sants and Plaza Espanya is the centre for Barcelona’s business hotels. Whilst convenient to the airport and exhibition halls, it remains mostly removed from the city’s cultural and tourist attractions.

 

Accommodation - Spain - Barcelona - Boutique / Designer