Barcelona Hotels
Hotels in Barcelona run the gamut from backpacker friendly doss-houses through to palaces of wallet-punishing opulence, and there's also plenty of scope for renting private accommodation.
Most of Barcelona's budget hotels are located just off Las Ramblas in the medieval Barri Gòtic quarter. Guestrooms vary enormously (even in the same hotel), so make sure that you have a good look around before you hand over any Euros. Pensiónes generally offer the cheapest accommodation, but if a private room is beyond your financial reach there are a number of hostels in the same area. While many of Barri Gòtic's hotels are far from sybaritic their lively central location tends to compensate for any shortcomings. As demand for accommodation in Barcelona increases budget hotels are springing up in other areas of the city, including Gràcia and Sants. It's worth noting that a number of Barcelona's cheaper hotels will only take reservations made on that day, which means getting up early. Cash seems to be the most trusted currency and credit cards are often met with a shake of the head.
If you're looking for something more up market the districts of Diagonal and Eixample provide the best hunting ground. Eixample translates as 'widening' and the area is appropriately characterized by broad tree-lined boulevards dotted with swanky boutiques and some fantastic examples of modernista architecture. Diagonal is on the fringes of Barcelona's business district and accommodation comes in the shape of shimmering steel and glass monoliths.
At the top of the pile Barcelona's five star hotels represent the last word in luxury. Seasoned favorites include such familiar names as The Ritz (www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Barcelona/) and the Majestic (www.hotelmajestic.es), while a new breed of design hotels caters for visitors with more contemporary tastes. There is also the relatively new Hotel Claris (www.derbyhotels.com/fr/hotel-claris/); the hotel is build behind palace façade. The hotel is a showcase of modern architecture, complete with enough art and artifacts to make any municipal museum blush with shame, and is crowned with a rooftop pool.
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