Barcelona Weekend Break
Finding and booking a hotel in Barcelona
Barcelona has well in excess of one thousand hotels in, or very close to,
the city centre and you will find a mix of large chain and individually owned accommodation - all perfect for your Barcelona weekend break.
Our experience has taught us that the best way to find a good selection of hotels (at whatever is an acceptable price range) is to do a "city" hotel search using one or more of the large online hotel reservation websites.
Using one of these reservation companies will also save you money. They take an automatic fixed commission from the hotel and if you try to make the same reservation directly with the hotel (or through a travel agent) you will find that the cost will be around 20 percent more. (It sounds crazy, but try it out and see for yourself.)
As an example, the "Bookings" company (who generally have a link in one of the google boxes on this page) have over 300 different Barcelona hotels on their site alone. This makes it easy to quickly check costs, availability, hotel location and of course to make a booking if you find what you want. Several other similar online reservation companies do the same thing and again, many of them should be in the google boxes on this and other pages.
Where to stay in Barcelona
Because there are tourist attractions, bars, restaurants and cafes all over the city, it really does not matter
where you choose to stay during your Barcelona weekend break. A good local transport system also adds to the ease of getting around and takes the pressure off finding a hotel in a particular spot.
Even so, we always tend to go for a hotel somewhere close to las Ramblas. The best area is near the top of las Ramblas (the city end rather than the seafront end). This district has plenty of small and medium sized hotels in its numerous side streets and it is well illuminated at night and always has people walking around.
In May of 2007 we stayed half board at one of these hotels (booked using the approach and company above) and the cost was just under 100 euros (£70) per night for a double room. (i.e. not per person.) This was a nice hotel with good facilities and plenty of character.
You can get rooms in the las Ramblas area from as little as 50 euros per night, but equally you can pay up to several hundred euros per night if you want something a little bit special. The selection is extensive.
What to expect from a Barcelona hotel
Reception staff and managers invariably speak good English and will normally be able to supply you with tourist information and often recommendations for restaurants and shows. Many UK and Eire visitors choose to "weekend" in Barcelona, so hotel staff will be accustomed to your needs and the constraints of trying to see a lot in a couple of days.
The standard of menu in these hotels will always be OK, but you rarely find the dishes and cuisine that are local to the region. These hotels cater for an international clientele and their menus reflect safety rather than the promotion of Barcelona’s gastronomy.
(Barcelona weekend break tip) If you like your food and you are prepared to experiment with something different, then you are best advised to dine at one of the restaurants in the Barri Gotic district or the seafront and Barceloneta zone. These are the districts of Barcelona where you will find regional food (especially seafood) and they beat the hotel menus hands down.
Things to check out before you confirm your booking
Make sure that you know where your hotel is in relation to the airport, bus and metro stops. Make sure it is in a zone that is in or close to the central part of the city.
Ensure that you know your hotel’s check-in and check-out times. Find out if there is a secure location where you can store your baggage if you arrive early, or intend to stay in Barcelona for several hours after the time you must vacate your room.
Decide if you intend to dine in at your hotel before you make your booking. If you do, check out the hotel restaurant and its menus (and prices).
Remember, when you are "checking out" hotel prices (especially on the internet where the best deals are to be had), always look for special offers, e.g. 3 days for the price of 2, or special weekend break discounts.