It’s only a few years since the choice of Barcelona hotels was quite small and hostels had a poor reputation, putting off many.
Luckily those memories are a thing of the past. The re-development of the city that began with the 1992 Olympic Games has continued since then and, consequently, any visitor to the city – be they there for a weekend or a summer – can be sure of finding accommodation that will perfectly suit whatever criteria he or she might have.
Lovers of the contemporary hotel, packed with state-of-the-art technology and perfectly manicured rooms will swoon over the award-winning Hotel Arts. Those who prefer their luxury to come in a more traditional setting, recalling the opulence of a by-gone era, will love the dignified glory of hotels such as the Majestic and the Palace.
Barcelona also caters perfectly for guests who want to be right in the heart of things, near the beach or even slightly away from the city centre. Many people choose to be near Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter – so that they can feel the atmosphere even from their hotel lobby. And if you have children then a hotel close to the beach could be ideal, allowing your little ones to spend their energy in the water and making sandcastles. Barcelona is fortunate enough to have sufficient hotels of all types so that, with a little bit of research, you will find just the right one for your stay.
You might be thinking that hostels are only suitable for backpackers and students. If that’s you, then think again. Barcelona hostels can offer guests an economical and pleasant alternative to the hotel experience. Don’t think Youth Hostels – in Spanish they are albergues juveniles; nowadays, you’re as likely to find a couple together as a backpacker or a group ‘on tour’. Almost every Barcelona hostel will now possess a shared kitchen for guests to use, a laundry room, common room and, increasingly regularly, computer terminals. They are clean, comfortable, secure places – and usually within walking distance of all the city’s main attractions.
Incidentally, don’t get too stressed out about the differences between hotels, hostels and ‘pensions’; the terms are often interchangeable. A pension is supposed to be like a British B&B or guesthouse, but some hotels call themselves Pensions too!
One attractive option for many people is to find some self-catering accommodation in Barcelona that will give them a greater degree of freedom that they can find in hotels as well as possibly being much more economical. Apartments can vary in both size and price – it’s even practical to rent student accommodation during July and August.
As with all accommodation, a little research before you make your reservation can enable you to find out for yourself that the options for Barcelona travel have come a long, long way in the past few years.
