Hotel suggestions

Staying in Barcelona for several nights prior to boarding the ship. Could use some suggestions for hotels that are close to the center of the commercial and cultural aspects of the city. The same applies to Rome at the end of the cruise.

Thanks for any help!!

In Barcelona, we liked the Hotel LLeo; convenient location, large rooms, modern bathrooms, moderate price, friendly and helpful staff.

Hotel Colon - right across the square from Barcelona Cathedral. HOHO Bus stops at the edge of the square. Get a cathedral view room!! Walking distance to La Rambla and more!

You might want to check the Ports of Call section. There is a lot of hotel information there for Barcelona.

Our very good friends, the Horners, swear by the Hotel Jazz in Barcelona

http://www.hoteljazz.com/default-en.html

-and in Rome, if you're not willing to lay out the bucks to stay at the Hassler

which we no longer are, you may find a suitable substitute in the Hotel Eden

http://www.lhw.com/hotel/Hotel-Eden-Rome-Italy?utm_source=google&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=hotel+eden+rome&utm_campaign=lhw_mlac_eur_italy_hotels&utm_adgroup=mlac_rome+-+eden+-+095&cvosrc=ppc.google.hotel+eden+rome&lid=scjohoi7s&pcrid=44713025207

Another vote for the Hotel Jazz in Barcelona.

Cheers,

Don

Another vote for both the Colon and Eden. The Hassler which we love has priced their better rooms and suite out of most budgets.

In Rome, the Gran Hotel Parco de Principe, right next to Villa Borghese. Elegant, in a quiet neighborhood of foreign embassies. Out of the way enough for peace and quiet yet close enough to taxi in the sights.....

Hotel Colon - right across the square from Barcelona Cathedral. HOHO Bus stops at the edge of the square. Get a cathedral view room!! Walking distance to La Rambla and more!

couldn't agree more--the location is fabulous. And if you want to save a little money, they have a sister hotel to the rear, the Regencia Colon, which is almost as nice.

We are hoping to stay again at the Jazz in April. We love the hotel and the location.

Barcelona. Hotel Colon or the Hotel Regencia Colon (sister hotel just behind the Colon).

Rome. Royal Santina (Best Western)

Actually, the last time we were in Barcelona we stayed at the Hotel Continental on Las Ramblas, a very short distance from Plaza Catalonia. A Cruise Critic regular, Bruin Steve, described the rooms as "small and funky", he forgot Pink! It won't suit everyone, but if you like small, funky, local flavor, and can live with pink, you'll love this little hotel. We had a Ramblas Balcony room. We got breakfast and snacks at the free 24/7 buffet (which includes beer, wine and soft drinks, pastas and more), took them back to our room and ate on the small balcony (little wrought iron chairs and table), while people watching the street scene below. At night, electric curtains roll down to mute street noise and lights. The rates are reasonable, about 100 Euros when we were last there. We'll stay there again, as it's right in the heart of everything that matters. We can state it's walking distance from where the ship's shuttle leaves you off, if you don't mind walking the length of Las Ramblas and have nothing more than wheeled carry-on luggage. It's just half a block from the airport bus at Plaza Catalonia, again manageable with carry-ons. The Plaza is also where the HoHo bus starts.

Previously, we stayed at the Regencia Colon, behind the Colon. Same location advantages as the Colon. Great economy, since it's owned and staffed by the Colon folks, uses the same linens and is clean and comfortable. A corner room gives a view of a slice of the Cathedral. Still only 70 Euros.

Boutique Hotel Trevi was within walking distance of most of the main sights in Rome. On a pedestrianised street so you need to walk a little if you get dropped off by taxi. Lots of places to eat nearby. But be aware Trevi Fountain is having renovations done.

Thank you very much for your suggestions. We will digest the info and make an intelligent decision.:)

Barcelona is a big city, and the "commercial and cultural" aspects are pretty spread out. We chose, as we often do, to stay away from the explicitly tourist part of the city (Las Ramblas, Placa Catalunya, the Gothic Quarter) in favour of L'Eixample, a district full of wonderful architecture, broad avenues, and home to most of Gaudi's masterpieces. The Metro system takes you downtown easily, plus cabs are cheap (in fact, we walked down to Placa Catalunya several times). Nice local restaurants abound.

We chose Hotel Europark, a very modern hotel which we liked very much (good breakfast); it also had great rates. The room was very modern and had everything we needed. It was also walking distance to La Sagrada Familia, another bonus. I also walked up to Gracia, a charming old district to the north, and discovered a very nice market just a few blocks from our hotel.

When it came to board ship, a cab whisked us there quite easily.

Barcelona is a big city, and the "commercial and cultural" aspects are pretty spread out. We chose, as we often do, to stay away from the explicitly tourist part of the city (Las Ramblas, Placa Catalunya, the Gothic Quarter) in favour of L'Eixample, a district full of wonderful architecture, broad avenues, and home to most of Gaudi's masterpieces. The Metro system takes you downtown easily, plus cabs are cheap (in fact, we walked down to Placa Catalunya several times). Nice local restaurants abound.

 

We chose Hotel Europark, a very modern hotel which we liked very much (good breakfast); it also had great rates. The room was very modern and had everything we needed. It was also walking distance to La Sagrada Familia, another bonus. I also walked up to Gracia, a charming old district to the north, and discovered a very nice market just a few blocks from our hotel.

 

When it came to board ship, a cab whisked us there quite easily.

We too like the L'Eixample neighborhood and stay at a boutique hotel called the Hotel Praktik Rambla on Rambla de Catalunya.

described the rooms as "small and funky", he forgot Pink! It won't suit everyone, but if you like small, funky, local flavor, and can live with pink, you'll love this little hotel.

In the interest of full disclosure, staying at the Continental gives you the choice of either your luggage, or yourself, in the room... both won't fit simultaneously.

Picture taken from the door to the room...no other space is hidden outside of the photo frame. :p

Seriously ...a great place to arrive late, crash and leave early. ...once. ;)

We've stayed at both Continental Hotels (the one north of Placa Catalunya is more expensive than the Ramblas hotel that Don has mentioned) and we like them both. We felt the food available at the buffet was better at the more expensive hotel, but I suppose that's as it should be. The rooms are still pink but somewhat larger. Then again, you don't have the people watching opportunity of Ramblas that you have the cheaper one. (More backpackers at the cheaper hotel.)

Last time, like Wendy, we stayed at the Europark and liked it very much. Walking distance to Sagrada Familia ...

Mura

We've also stayed at the Hotel Lleo (which is right across the street from Hotel Jazz) and had great experiences. I would recommend either, as well.

Easy walk to La Rambla..

Hey Teach,

We very much enjoyed our stay in the Columbus room at http://www.marinaviewbcn.com/index.php/en/.

5 min from metro stop, very close to La Ramblas

Enjoy your visit.

Ira

We love The Arts. Have stayed there a number of times. Not quite in the center of town, but Port Olympic is a great location also. Love being by the beach.

We love The Arts. Have stayed there a number of times. Not quite in the center of town, but Port Olympic is a great location also. Love being by the beach.

We have stayed at the Arts our last three times in Barcelona and the time before at the Colon. Hands down the accommodations and the views at the Arts are the best. The walk anywhere is no more than ten minutes more and the subway is right near by. They also have a great Club Floor with wonderful tapas.

In Barcelona, we have stayed several times at the Jazz. Just a long block from Placa Catalunya. Nice rooftop pool in season. Ask for high floor as underground goes right under the hotel.

In Rome we like the Smeraldo. Nothing fancy but location is great, right on Campo de Fiore in heart of old Rome. 10 minute walk to Pantheon, Plaza Navona, Jewish Ghetto, etc.

We've stayed at both Continental Hotels (the one north of Placa Catalunya is more expensive than the Ramblas hotel that Don has mentioned) and we like them both. We felt the food available at the buffet was better at the more expensive hotel, but I suppose that's as it should be. The rooms are still pink but somewhat larger. Then again, you don't have the people watching opportunity of Ramblas that you have the cheaper one. (More backpackers at the cheaper hotel.)

 

Last time, like Wendy, we stayed at the Europark and liked it very much. Walking distance to Sagrada Familia ...

 

Mura

We have always been Jazz fans, but after reading Wendy and your posts decided to look into Europark. This sounds good to us and the fact that it is almost $100 ess per night might just sway us. We have done Ramblas over and over, don't really need to redo. Looking more into a more laid back time. We are going out of Bcn on day trips . This seems like really a nice place to base our operation Thanks Mura and Wendy for your posts

We loved The Hotel Claris. Very well located and they served a fantastic breakfast.