What makes Barcelona so interesting to us?

By Luke Durden in Barcelona

Barcelona is so amazing that you just want to return again and again. You fall in love with it whenever you go. Barcelona is beautiful in summer and winter, but we recommend you to travel there in spring.

The sun shines perfectly. It’s not really hot and the university life stills active. There are fewer tourists and the squares and bars are full of locals and residents. Barcelona never sleeps, which is one of the charms of this Mediterranean city.

Its emblematic places are one of its main attractions, despite tourist agglomerations. One of them is Las Ramblas, a meeting point for all the people in Barcelona, where we can find some of the bests restaurants in the city, including traditional restaurants of authentic Catalan food.

If you are staying at Catalonia Ramblas Hotel, you will be just in the stroll in front plaza Grande. You can leave your room and easily reach and visit the stroll, buy some flowers and visit La Boqueria market calmly.

Rooftop pool in Barcelona

Rooftop pool in Barcelona

 

Book now directly at the lowest price online guaranteed through the official website: avoid intermediaries : )

Barcelona at Christmas: a design getaway

By Esther in Barcelona

Barcelona at Christmas is not a destination as popular as Madrid, which is and will be a reference desination at this time of the year. However, despite being ignored in many Christmas travel vouchers, the Condal City offers a wide range of possibilities for these cold and festive months. Besides, always with a touch of innovation and design that characterises the Mediterranean capital.

Christmas in Barcelona is different. Bid farewell to the traditional Christmas spirit, to street Christmas carols, to multicolour sparkling lights, to cotton candy stands, to chestnuts and nougat candies… The Catalan capital takes care of every detail and offers an exclusive image year after year, without giving up the charm of these dates but presenting it in a less kitsch manner… And, let’s say, more chic.

Christmas in Barcelona

Christmas in Barcelona

For example, the accommodations are always innovating. Although the boutique hotel is leaving a mark on travellers in Madrid and in many other cities, Barcelona is the one which sets the trends. In fact, all the hotel chains in the Condal City have been working in this sense for years: Vincci, Barceló, Catalonia…

The design hotels in Barcelona are a must if you want to enjoy the charm of the city: a museum hotel near Ramblas or Catalunya square, a modern inn or an apartment, all of them valid options as long as they have a state-of-the-art look that characterises a city famous for setting trends.

Even Christmas markets seem to be unique in Barcelona. The gastronomy is also varied and different to that of the centre of the peninsula, partly due to the weather: December is a month of mild temperatures and few rains in the Condal City. Thus, get ready for lounging in terraces with your sunglasses, going shopping to original boutiques, attending to shows and concerts of international groups, theatre in the streets and performances, art in every nook, exclusive parties… Activities that make Barcelona a first class destination, an original and incomparable setting for your Christmas.

Some of the design hotels in the centre of Barcelona you can book for these dates at affordable prices include the Vincci Bit and the Vincci Gala; the Catalonia Ramblas and the Petit Museum Barcelona. But make sure you make your reservation on the official website, avoiding charges for intermediaries.

What to see in Barcelona in 1 day

By Loren in Barcelona

Barcelona is a destination worth a one-week visit. But if you are planning a one-day layover in the Condal City, here you will find a tour around the main tourist attractions so that you can make the most of your trip. However, we are sure you will want to come back.

The heart of Barcelona

Ramblas and the Gothic neighbourhood are two must visit places you have to include in your trip to Barcelona. Not only because they are located in some of the most beautiful and famous monuments of the city, but also because here you will find the authentic ambience of the old Barcelona. Even despite the fact that these are the most popular places and it is sometimes hard to escape from the groups of tourists wandering around, walking around Barcelona’s historic centre is a luxury for all senses. Its streets, its squares, the local shops, the cathedral, its nice villagers, the art and the originality of its nooks, with hundreds of street artists and improvised events… It is one of the liveliest areas of the city, both at night and during the day, as it also features bars ideal for both a brunch or a drink.

The best you can do if you only have one day is to spend a morning walking around the area. And visit all the tourist attractions highlighted in the guides, without a specific route. If you choose a hotel in Ramblas or a hotel near La Boquería Market, you will stay close at hand to all the tourist attractions and you will not need to take subways, taxis or buses: walking around the city is an experience in itself and the fact that the old city is not really big has its advantages. Do not miss the harbour, a shopping route around the Borne’s small boutiques and luxury shops, a tapas route around the Macba area near the Raval, a visit to an exhibition… The Petrixol Street is an ideal place for savouring some of the typical delicacies of Barcelona and it is close to your accommodation.

Modernism within your reach

From your hotel in the centre of Barcelona you will have a direct access to the modernist area of the city. Although you will find modernist footprints around the whole Barcelona, you should not miss two classic examples: the famous Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Familia. If you choose a hotel near Catalunya Square you will enjoy good communications with the old city and with the Ensanche, where you will discover a different and modern Barcelona. Gràcia, the Ciudadela Park, the Casa Milà…

If you are an art lover and you want to make the most of your trip and discover the modernism of Barcelona in just a day, we recommend you to stay in a museum hotel in Barcelona, an old modernist building. And if you prefer to enjoy your afternoon contemplating the views from the highest area of Barcelona, do not miss the Parc Güell, where you will be able to combine nature, games and modernism, apart from a visit to one of the key areas of the Condal City.

Other nearby hotels:

Vincci Hotels’ bet on Barcelona

By Loren in Barcelona

#Vincci Hotels is one of the most important urban hotels chain in Spain. It has a varied hotel portfolio that includes resort hotels in relaxing and beach areas, but it is greatest strenght is without any doubt, its commitment to large cities and for design hotels that offer its guest an experience like no other, regarding city hotels.

Barcelona is one of those great cities Vincci. One of their essential jobs in which 3 of the most charismatic hotels of the chain can be enjoyed:

–          #Vincci Bit

–          #Vincci Gala

–          #Vincci Marítimo

Art and design in its purest for, privileged location, high-quality services and more than reasonable prices represent the secret of the success of these accommodations with luxury rooms and suites in the centre of Barcelona: a pleasure for the senses and soul since entering any of these hotels means entering a completely new, unique world full of character and personality.

planta-seis-hotel-vincci-bit

Vincci Bit Hotels

Every corner deserves a photography, some like Vincci Bit are authentic museum hotels in the centre of Barcelona. So attractive and personal that anyone visiting the city should consider stopping to see it. In fact, it is designed as an art gallery and its walls and ceilings in common areas and corridors leading to the rooms have been modified by some of the most modern and innovative artists of the capital of Modernism.

The Vincci’s bet is clear: continuing with this work of remodelling spaces, investing in creating different environments which provide a benefit to the visitor, beyond relaxation and good service. Get it is an effort that very few are willing (or can) do, but experience shows that it is a path to be followed to guarantee a quality tourism in the immediate future of Spain.

Top 5 hotels in Barcelona for a city escape

By Loren in Barcelona

If instead of Madrid, you’re planning a trip to Barcelona before all the work, responsibilities and routine get back. Well then, head up to this Mediterranean capital and enjoy the most this September. And in order to do that, we suggest you a brief list of hotels that we consider, offer you something special, a plus that will give you the opportunity to live something different. Are you up to?

Stay in a Modernist palace
Barcelona is the cradle of modernism, the perfect place for all the art lovers, who shouldn’t miss any of its detailed routes. The city is riddled with buildings, parks, monuments and spots that will show you the best of this artistic movement. But if you want to gild the lily and boast about your trip to Barcelona, we invite you to stay in a completely different hotel: a modernist hotel in the centre of Barcelona built in one of the historical small palaces in Ciudad Condal, the old Garriga Noguès house. Redecorated with great care, maintaining its modernist air perfectly, it is a state of art the art hotel, with free Wi-Fi bedrooms in the centre of Barcelona, with hydro massage shower, with computers at your disposal, amenities and even bicycles to ride through the city freely. It is a 4 star hotel, with an affordable price, considering the accommodation in Barcelona which is not low precisely.

Petit Palace Museum Barcelona

Petit Palace Museum Barcelona

Hotel with pool on the rooftop

Staying in a 4 star hotel in Barcelona, with a pool on the rooftop, viewing all those Mediterranean roofs filling the city, telling us lives, untelled stories, secret whispers, and lights in the darkness. We recommend you one of the most interesting accommodations in a designer hotel in the city, the hotel with the most beautiful terraces of Barcelona where you will be received with a deluxe service, despite being a 4 star hotel (more affordable). It is a hotel in Barcelona with meeting halls and executive accommodations, but it also worth for those who stay in the city for fun. The rooms have a modern design, furnished, it also have a gym and a parking spot (in Spain Square) and of course the best service.

Accommodation in La Rambla with a centenary garden
The next hotel is one of the most charming ones in the city, specially to stay with family or friends. Besides offering bedrooms for groups in the centre of Barcelona, this hotel has a Mediterranean garden in its courtyard with centenary trees with unique species from all over the world. You can have breakfast in the courtyard and enjoy this quiet atmosphere beautifully illuminated. The hotel is located next to Las Ramblas, very close to the Gothic quarter and La Boquería, which makes it perfect to take a weekend break with friends to enjoy the life and atmosphere of the old town of Barcelona in comfort. The price is affordable, between the accommodation rates in Barcelona. And also it offers some plus such as free Wi-Fi service in the entire hotel, bicycles to ride through the city, and bedroom computers.

Stay in an authentic modern art museum
Art is everywhere in Barcelona. The city is a truly example of how design can fill the city and change the life and style of the people and even the visitors. A way to get into this wave is to book in a design hotel in the centre of Barcelona, a museum turned into a hotel, or, to be precise, an accommodation created as a contemporary art museum. Where you can find artworks of some of the most relevant artist nowadays, local and international, with mosaics, paintworks, illustrations, etc. each time you walk to your bedroom you will go across an art gallery. The bedrooms also has a contemporary style. The amenities of this 4 star hotel, include, gym, sauna, rooftop pool, lounge bar. All this at a very affordable price. The hotel is located next to the CCIB in Barcelona, perfect for those who need to organize events in the Ciudad Condal.

Suites with terraces in the centre of Barcelona

Last but not least, to book in a hotel next to Catalunya square, a place where you can get all your caprices satisfy. From its amazing suites with chill out terraces in the centre of Barcelona to its rooftop pool or its spa. This hotel is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a romantic break with the best of the Ciudad Condal. The only problem is that you might not even want to leave the building. The 4 star services (spa, terraces with gardens of 400 sq. M, meeting halls, restaurant, etc.) exceed all expectations, while allowing to create your stay at your fit. The prices are fair, so, if you’re low of budget you might have to pass since the lowest one cost 100 euros per night, but it truly worth it.

 

The best season to visit Barcelona has begun

By Loren in Barcelona

Barcelona in May, is a luxury, and those who ever made a reservation during spring in this Mediterranean capital know it. The design, fashion and trend city shines radiantly this time of the year, when the heat rises and the sun can be enjoyed since morning.

So if you’re able to extend your stay a few days from the weekend, we recommend you a short trip to Barcelona and enjoy every single thing. In order to do that we have a tip list to enjoy it the most, keep reading and take notes.

1)    Accommodation in Barcelona. First of all, start right away to look for a hotel in Barcelona, an Airbnb accommodation or a hostel, since the accommodation is very crowded on this month thanks to the events (festivals, fairs, concerts, etc) and the prices will rise along with the market demand until June.

You already read our advices like a million times: book in a hotel in the centre of Barcelona if you have the chance. You really don’t need a car to move in the city, unless you want to know some towns from the Barcelona’s coast. The public transportation is perfect to move around the capital and it save you money and time.

Some of the featured hotels in Barcelona are in the Ramblas and Boquería zone, at the beginning of Eixample y Gràcia. However, another option would be opt for hotels in Plaza de las Glorias, the Pobre Now, and near Forum since they’re more affordable.

Prices may not be cheap, Barcelona is an expensive city, even more than Madrid, at least in accommodation, but the quality services are excellent, a high level service.

2)    Interesting routes. Besides Borne, the Gótico, the modern routes, the commercial areas and the best tapas y tascas zone, Barcelona has a variety of alternative touristic routes that you shouldn’t miss. The GoBcn offers us different activities, such as the hidden Raval route or the hidden Gracia, that will change the way you see this peculiar neighbourhood in Barcelona. This tours usually cost around 14 euros per person, they are in the morning and includes a vermouth and aperitifs. The web Turisme,is the entity that promotes the city tourism. You also have the opportunity to know the centre of Barcelona, both the classical and the modern areas, one of them is the Contemporary Barcelona which makes an itinerary of the city through its architecture from the xx to the xxI century.

3)    Downtown tapas Barcelona has thousands of excellent places to go and have some tapas and fresh cañas right in the centre of the city. The atmosphere in both the street and the buildings will captivate you, we recommend the Quimet I Quimet, the Esquinica (typical aragonese cuisine), the vermouth in the Xampanyet, the best cañas in El Vaso de Oro, the unique environment in the Gata mala and the unmissable San José Market (Boquería)

4)  Music and more music. May is the month of music in Barcelona, with international concerts with the best bands such as AC/DC, and to end the spring we will have the Primavera sound with the best independent groups nowadays, an excuse to come to the city and enjoy with your friends.

 

Holidays in 2015: where to go and what not to miss (Part 3)

By Luke Durden in Barcelona

Mini-holidays… in Barcelona!

Sun, beach and ambientazo. Mediterranean at the rhythm of the city. Culture at a nice temperature, music, sport, museums and more and more plans. Barcelona – as we already said in other occasions – is always a fantastic option if you do not have many holiday days. Take a breath, ask for two free days on a weekend and escape to the Mediterranean capital. It is better that you check for the cultural programmes in those days, before booking your dates. If you have the possibility to choose your days, you can be sure that you will find events that will make your trip not only worthwhile, but also extraordinary. Whether you cannot choose your dates, do not worry too much. If we always mention Barcelona in our destinations proposals is because it will never disappoint you: the agenda of this city is endless and suited to every kind of audience, from parents with kids to groups of friends that want to experience the Barcelona night at the utmost.

Hotel Palladium in Palma de Mallorca

Hotel Palladium in Palma de Mallorca

Accommodations in Barcelona are more expensive than in Madrid. Since ever. Therefore, in this case, you need to book your trip as soon as possible. Other tips that can help you to lower the rate of your hotel in the centre of Barcelona or at least to get more and better facilities at the same rate, is to book directly on the official website of the hotel you have chosen. You will find very interesting hotel offers near Las Ramblas. It is also possible to get rooms in the Sagrada Familia area  at low cost rates, without sacrificing the quality or end up in flophouses. If you go there only for 4 days, the best you can do is to take a central, well-connected place with facilities that can help you get the most out of your days: free PC and Wi-Fi in your room, free breakfast, discounts if you travel with children or if you book rooms for groups…

Barcelona and modernism

By Loren in Barcelona

We couldn’t talk about Barcelona without mentioning the word modernism two hundred times per mite. Yes, we exaggerate. Nevertheless, The Catalonian capital is one of those few places in the world where you can enjoy an artistic style in all its essence.  This, along with the excellent ability to present its attractions as a tourist destination, have turned Barcelona into one of the most famous and visited cities in the entire world.

 

The modernism attraction has not end. Or, at least, it seems. Years go by, there are more and more visitors, but it is still one of the most appreciated elements for those to visit the city -whether they go for the first time or they are tourists in love with the city, those who repeat every year-.

 

Museums, art centres all around the city, temporary exhibitions, guided visits to ancient palaces and houses of the Catalonian nobility… All the tourist circuit related to the modernism is reinvented every year, it grows, changes and adapt to the tastes, trends and whims of the new century travellers. An ability worthy of recognition to the city, people and its institutions. Everyone, in a joint effort, have always understood what their guests are looking for and have met their needs.

 

Modernist puppet shows; sunsets from the Palau Güell; international art exhibitions related to the modernist aesthetic; complete refurbishing of the programs offered by key centres such as the Art Museum of Catalonia, which launched its new program the last September; the yearly meeting of the Modernist Fair of Barcelona… Dozens and dozens of plans whose common factor is the art and made up one of the best elaborate tourist calendars of the country.

 

Accommodation in the modernist route

One of the most interesting experiences offered now by Barcelona is the possibility of staying  in one of the most emblematic modernist houses in the city. The ancient Casa Garriga Nogués, now turned into a 4-star hotel in the centre of Barcelona, is the perfect trip plan for art lovers and those who want to really enjoy this representative aspect of Barcelona.

Petit Palace Opera Garden Hotel

Petit Palace Opera Garden Hotel

Very close, you can find comfortable hotels of the same chain (Petit Palace), ideal to enjoy the charm of the centre of the city, but without the special benefits offered by a museum hotel such as the before mentioned.  Now, if you travel with a group, some of these accommodations could be the most suitable place to sleep: Petit Palace Ópera Garden, or a hotel close to La Boquería stand out for its functional rooms for families and groups.

 

Next to the Petit Palace hotels in Barcelona, Catalonia chain is another of the most recommended options to stay in the centre of the city. Modern hotels in areas such as Las Ramblas or close to La Sagrada Familia, offering the perfect combination of design, service and location: Catalonia Ramblas, Catalonia Atenas, Catalonia Sagrada Familia…

 

Although, as we can see, most of the hotels are situated in the centre of the city, and the best option is usually booking an accommodation next to Ciutat Vella and L’Eixample, it is true that the price is higher that in other important areas of the city.

 

There are affordable hotels in 22@Barcelona, close to Plaza de las Glorias, combining good price, large spaces (even larger than in the hotels of the historical centre) and excellent connections with the main tourist attractions of Barcelona. They are hotel focused on business tourism but they have services adapted to those who visit Barcelona in search of leisure and relax.

Confortel Barcelona Hotel

Confortel Barcelona Hotel

One of the most outstanding accommodations is, for example, the Confortel hotel with free wifi in Barcelona. Although, as we have mentioned before, it is a hotel with meeting rooms next to Plaza Las Glorias, it is worth it for price, location and service if you want to enjoy an affordable and comfortable trip to Barcelona with all your family.

Investing in the coast of Barcelona

By Loren in Barcelona

The coast of Barcelona is one of the most traditional holiday destinations in Spain, an area of great natural beauty, dotted with fishing villages, diverse urban centres and complete services: leisure, health, education and commerce. One of its main attractions is the cosy, quiet and family atmosphere that few coasts can boast. Its small towns preserve the essence of modesty and peace they had before the tourist boom, and offer visitors a special charm, very different to what you find in Costa Brava or Levante

In a society that appreciates more and more the simple things, the lifelong traditions, the wellness without worries, this coast of Barcelona has become one of the most sought after destinations by families and couples seeking a space to rest and enjoy a healthy, safe and comfortable stay.

Towns like Santa Susanna, Calella, Malgrat de Mar and Pineda are the main elements of this holiday tour around Barcelona, where the Fergus Hotels chain has focused much of their investments for 2015 season, creating a network of resorts on the coast of Barcelona especially targeted to families, groups and couples.

Emblematic hotels in Calella such as the Espanya Hotel are part of this portfolio which gives priority to the traveller well-being at affordable prices, competing with some of the most important hotels in the centre of Barcelona, especially as regarding comfort and personalised service.

Besides Calella, Fergus has increased its presence in the Barcelona coast with hotels in Santa Susanna, accommodations in Malgrat de Mar and Pineda de Mar. They are modest hotels with attention to detail, modern, simple and functional decoration offering a pleasant feeling of well-being without ostentation. They are impeccable in terms of gastronomy, facilities and rooms space, and offer a wide variety of leisure plans and special services.

Price is one of its greatest values, since they offer high quality accommodations providing exceptional service at affordable prices. The location is good and reviews on forums give them a remarkable rating in terms of service and customer care, which is not very easy to find in such a tourist area as Maresme is.

The charm of the coast of Barcelona

By Luke Durden in Barcelona

From Montgat to Magrat de Mar, where the river La Tordera flows into the sea, runs the entire coast called Costa de Barcelona o the Maresme coast, one of the most well-known coasts in Catalonia for its spectacular beaches and the charm and essence of its small fishing villages. A traditional national tourist destination, it counts with the name of places that breath summer and that have become a reference for many families in Spain, such as Caldetas, Calella, Santa Susanna…

One of the best towns to find accommodation in Maresme region is Calella due to its magnificent urban beach, Port Bo. It is one of the most authentic of this coast, and it maintains the tradition of fishermen clouding the coast with small colourful boats. It stands out for its quiet atmosphere and for providing adequate services for tourists.

Esglesia Street is the busiest commercial street in Calella de Palafrugrell, an excellent place to experience the beauty of this traditional family holiday destination: souvenir shops, beach bars, restaurants, bars, children’s playgrounds.

Nearby is the lighthouse of San Sebastian, an area of cliffs and rocky coves where you can enjoy a romantic escapade away from it all, and with a charm that gives the town of Llafranc, one that still remains intact, away from mass tourism. Here you can see one of the best sunsets on the Maresme coast, and sample some of the tastiest seafood dishes of this region of Catalonia.

If we move onwards, we find several touristic villages where it is relatively easy to find a good accommodation at very low prices. Hotels in Santa Susanna, for example, offer full services, a privileged location facing some of the best beaches on the coast of Barcelona like the Llevant beach, Les Caletes beach and the beach of Les Dunes.

If instead of booking Santa Susanna you book a hotel in Lloret de Mar, you’ll enjoy the last village in the Maresme region, located right next to the river Tordera, that borders with the coast of Girona. Its great beach of 7 km in length is one of its main attractions, which has led it to be one of the most tourist destinations in the Maresme. However, Malgrat de Mar is much more than beach. It is worth visiting Monte Castell, from where you can see the whole town and its surroundings including, the church of St. Nicholas, also called the Cathedral of the Coast, due to its location and large size, bearing in mind that Malgrat is by no means one of the largest towns of the coast of Barcelona.