Barcelona Post-Cruise Hotel Recommendations

[JaneBP]

There are a few steps going into the hotel Colon and then about half a flight to get to the lobby desk.

[JaneBP]

Here's a suggestion for getting to the hotel with Grandmother. If you book a car service to pick you up at the airport and then take you on a tour, you might be able to negotiate a pick-up from your hotel to the ship. Also, perhaps from the ship to the airport at the end of your cruise. Always ways for negotiation.

[English_in_Spain]

There are a few steps going into the hotel Colon and then about half a flight to get to the lobby desk.

 

It was actually the Marina View B&B that I wondered about the stairs. I can manage the few steps at the Colon but from the photos I have seen of Marina View it looked like there could be a lot.

 

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[JaneBP]

Sorry, I mis-understood.

[English_in_Spain]

Sorry, I mis-understood.

 

No problem :)

 

[harris.margaret9]

Last time I was in Barcelona I stayed in a vacation apartment right by the port instead of a hotel. It was great; I was able to relax in my own space for a few nights before the cruise left. Barcelona apartments are often a lot cheaper than hotels too!

[TLCOhio]

We usually stay at the Colon or Regencia Colon when in Barcelona.

 

Great above tip. Price is important, but I view location as very important to maximize your time in super Barcelona. We did Barcelona last June with the plan of arriving a day early and staying a day extra in this great city after returning from our wonderful cruise enjoying the Med, Italy, etc. It all worked so super well. You check out my live/blog for many more details on what we did in and around Barcelona, etc. Am over 61,000 views and appreciate those who have tuned in, asked questions, etc.

 

We had been in Barcelona in 1998 and stayed at the Hotel Regincia Colon that is super convenient and is right around the corner from the famed, 700-year-old-plus Cathedral in this hip and historic town. Before our last June cruise, we stayed there again and it worked out super well. Its location is also very handy to La Rambla, other key attractions, catching the hop-on, hop-off bus, etc. This hotel website:

http://www.hotelregenciacolon.com

 

After our cruise, we wanted to sample a little different area and flavor for this charming town. I did some searching with Hotels.com and a couple of these other search site. We wanted both nice and at a good price. We got the four-star rated Hotel Onix Liceo. It is a botique hotel in a wonderfully restored old townhouse at Nou De La Rambla, 36 Barcelona, 08001. Their website is:

http://www.hotelonixliceo.com/en

This hotel was right up the street from the recently re-opened and restored Gaudi's Palau Guell (wonderful to tour and see!!) and 300 metres from Liceo Metro Station on Barcelona's Ramblas. This stylish hotel offers a sun terrace, lots of nice design features that blend traditional with modern art in its public spaces. Below are a couple pictures. One of their front and the other for one of its nice interior areas that opens to its open courtyard, lap pool, etc.

 

Below are some added exterior pictures for some other hotel options, including the Hotel Montecarlo Barcelona is at La Rambla, 124, By TravelAdvisor, it is ranked #2 of 535 hotels in Barcelona. It is withing easy walking distance from famed Mercat de la Boqueria marketplace, Placa Catalunya, etc. Also nearby to this other hotels in the area are Barcelona Cathedral and Gran Teatre del Liceu.

 

BOTTOM-LINE: There is no one perfect hotel for everyone in Barcelona. You have hundreds of good to very good options to consider. Prices will vary so very much from day-to-day depending on advance bookings, how busy will be this city, etc. Barcelona is now the world's fourth busiest cruise port, trailing only the traditional leaders in Florida. This town has a great, fairly handy and easy to use airport that is reasonable close to the main downtown. Unlike Rome and its cruise port, everything is close and handy in Barcelona. For your hotel choice, much depends on timing, pricing and what you most want to be near. Location is very important to save time and make it easier and quick to walk around and experience this great city. I would book something early, be covered. Then check back and see what other options become available at a better price, location. Consider your priorities and needs.

 

As noted below, the new W Hotel looks super with its unique exterior shape and great beach location, but it is not very handy to the wonderful and charming historic areas. Your choice!! I would use the search engines to get that right mix on price, quality and location to fit your personal interests, needs and budget.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Did a June 7-19, 2011, Solstice cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Enjoyed great weather and a wonderful trip. Dozens of wonderful visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc., on these postings. We are now at 61,072 views for this live/blog re-cap on our first sailing with Celebrity and much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

 

Here are two pictures from our four-star rated Hotel Onix Liceo. It right near Palau Guell and the La Rambla, key town market, etc. First is the exterior on this hotel. Second is a picture for part of its interior lobby that overlooks an open court area with lap pool, etc.:

 

 

 

 

 

Here are three other hotel pictures/samples. The first two are right on the wonderful and ever scenic/interesting La Rambla, near the key town market, etc. First is the exterior of the highly-rated Hotel Monte Carlo. Second is a picture for the Hotel Nouvel. Finally is the wonderful-looking and very new W Hotel sitting right on the beach. BUT, however, this W Hotel is not very handy to reach the La Rambla and other older, historic areas in Barcelona. Much depends on which location best fits your needs and interests.:

 

 

 

 

 

[Baseball fan]

We stayed at the Hotel Continental at the top of the Las Ramblas about 2 doors down from the Placa Catalunya. The hotel is a bit quirky (lots of pepto bismol pink) but the location and price are great. We are staying there again later this year....

[VABeach]

Thank you so much Terry In Ohio!!!! That is awesome information!!! :D