Latest Reviews for Mainland Spain Other Areas

Travel from UK

Flights and hotel booked with Easy Jet. No problems at all.

Travel from Airport to Barcelona
We used the Airport Bus into the city centre. Was £4 Euroes each and drops you at the Placa De Catalunya. You can also use the train which is a little cheaper, but be careful as the stations are limited and check that you are near to where your accommodation is or you may end up with a long walk or big taxi fare. We had planned to then get a bus or metro to our hotel but the city it was middday, very busy and hot and we had bags so we used a taxi (8 Euro).

Hotel Glories
On arrival, the electricity was off in the hotel. We were a little disappointed but as the hotel had key cards, we could not even get in the room. They offered to keep our luggage in the locked storage area and we went out for a couple of hours. All fine on our return.

Reception area is bright (when it has electricity ha ha!!) and clean, with a seating area and a drinks and ice machine. That was good at night as we had a teenager in tow who lives on pop! Receptionists spoke adequate English and they helped us when we had questions, ie maps, directions, local transport.

Room we had was a triple, with 3 single beds. Room was cleaned daily and bedding and towels were all fresh. Shower powerful and plenty of hot water and toiletries free of charge. We had a tv and mini bar. View over the front of the hotel was to some local houses. I think the back was onto another building, so front a little better. Althought the distance was only the width of 2 lanes of road, we still sat in our window area to watch the world go by (no balcony). Some of the local habits are fascinating - specially the man who got dressed on his balcony every morning - from nude!!

Although reviews of the hotel are not all that great, I would say it was good value for money (£60 per night for a triple room) and adequate for our needs.

We did not have breakfast so cannot comment on that.

If you come out of the door of the hotel and turn left, there is a supermarket a couple of doors down which was ideal for snacks and drinks. Open 9am to 9pm.

Transport into the Centre
Difficult to refer to ";the centre"; of Barcelona. It is traditionally The Rambles, but there are so many other areas to explore, don't just head for that area. Like people saying The Glories Hotel is not ";central";, it is only 5 minutes on the bus to The Rambles, down a straight road so you cannot get lost, so don't be put off.

We were close to The Glories and Monumental Metro Stops. Although only a couple of minutes walk from each, I think if you did not know the exact route, it would not be a good idea when you have your bags, as up and down different streets and alot of road works at the minute, hence we used a taxi in bound. On a normal day or night when you are on your way out or back to the hotel, fine. Fares reasonable and once you have your bearings, the route is understandable.

If you come out of the hotel door, turn right, then right again, there is a bus stop where the 7 or 56 runs to the road just off the Placa De Catalynya. The driver will tell you where is closest to The Rambles. Flat fare is 1 Euro 75 each journey so cheap enough and the buses are clean and very frequent. Alternatively, if you turn right, right again and right again, near to the Bull Ring, you can get the number 62 which stops a little closer to the Placa De Catalynya. We used that on our return into the city for the flight home. Another good option from this stop is the number 10 which stops at the Marina and beach area. You can get to the beach from Placa De Catalynya on the bus, 41 or 42 I think it was.

On an evening, we got the 7 or the 56 back to the hotel. It is a long road and all the streets look the same but if you get up as soon as you see The Torre Agbar (The Guerkin). These buses were then replaced with night buses (N2 if I remember), which did the same route and you can get it right from Placa De Catalynya.

Barcelona Itself
Best way to see the city is on the tourist bus. We paid 23 Euros for a 2 day ticket. You will get a map of the city and the blue, red and green routes which the bus does, so plan where you want to get on and off. make sure you do as the bus only goes one direction so if you miss a place of interest, you will have to go all around the route and start again back at the Placa De Catalynya! You also get a book of money off tickets for attractions, which will save some pennies.

Once you have your ticket, you could join the trip at the Sagrada Familia Church as walking distance from the Glories Hotel, if that is where you stay, as opposed to going into town to The Placa De Catalyna which is where the tours start and finish.

We had a teenaged nephew with us and there was plenty of places he enjoyed. We liked Sagrada Famalia Church, New Camp Stadium, Tibidabo Theme Park, Montjuic Cable Car, Olympic Village, Zoo and Park Guelle. Loads more to see and do though. Everywhere was busy but July is peak season. The beach is worth a visit too. Not the greatest sand, but hey, it is a city break you are on, not a beach holiday! Nice to get in the sea for a cooler as it was in the high 30s every day.

Evenings
The Rambles is pleasant for a walk at night. It is a long pedestrianised strip of trees where there are markets and street entertainers. Resuraurants and bars on this strip are expensive and you are basically paying for ";the view"; and being able to ";people watch";. If you go down one of the many side streets, you will see plenty of alternative places to eat.

One thing we found, check your change. On 2 occasions we were over charged for drinks.

Our favourite area was the Port / Marina. There are some much better restaurants (The Rambles tends to go from McDonalds or Pizza Hut to table clothes and candles, not alot in between for us average Joes!). Shop around as prices can work out expensive. We had some nice meals on the side streets before you get to the beach front. If you then walk along, there are quite a few music bars and it is really lively until the early hours.

Overall
Barcelona is a great place to see as the architecture is fab and there is always plenty to do. We spent xmas there in December 2004 and loved going back. Like said, plan your time as it is a huge expanse of city, so you will be disappointed if you don't have an order of events for your day.

Only downside, we saw quite alot of homeless people. Every time we picked a park area for a sit down and cool in the shade, there were always down and outs sleeping. In the day, they were no bother at all as flat out, but it was a bit off putting. I would think on an evening, the picture would be different, so be careful. We saw needles in the grass also. We heard about pick pocketing but just be vigilent and you are okay. Then again, no worse than in the UK. We live in a respected cul de sac in Gateshead and found used needles at the end of our street one day and had to get the Police to dispose of them.

All in all, great city break and would recommend The Glories Hotel. Once you get your public transport in your mind, it is easy to commute 24 / 7. Some of the hotels in other areas of the city were so much more expensive.

Enjoy your trip!

Andrea, Mick and Liam!

This hotel is in a superb location for exploring the city. We got a taxi from the airport for about 23 euros, very reasonable. The lobby is impressive, the receptionists very friendly and speak excellent english, and they upgraded us to a superior room on arrival as they had no standard rooms left. Our room was fine - clean, spacious enough, with a good bathroom and we got a good night's sleep (once we turned off the noisy air con!)

Barcelona as a city is stunning. Take the open top bus tour - you can get a ticket for one day for 19 euros or for two days for 24 euros. The ticket is eligible for the three routes that take you all over the city - take the red route, or north route, to explore the Segada de Familia and the Nou Camp, which were the highlights of our tour, or the blue/south route for the Olympic stadium and the beach. All very good value and has commentary in all languages.
La Rambla as a place to explore is great, (check out the market - truly amazing food, particularly the fish, and bars where you can pick your fish from the display and they'll cook it and serve it to you!!) - but the pavement cafes are very expensive, we paid 8 euros for a beer.
Recommend Los Caracoles for food; just off La Ramblas, ask your hotel for directions - it's great value and atmosphere.

All in all a great city to visit, we'll go back for a short weekend, it's stunning.

Hotel Villareal is about fifteen minutes walk from Valencia city centre, and is really good value - we paid 107 Euros altogether for a double room for two nights over a weekend. The room was fine, functional and clean, with maid service every day, can't complain about any of it at all. Would recommend and definitely stay there again ourselves.

Valencia itself is breathtakingly beautiful, totally shocked us as although we had expected quaint streets etc, we were not expecting to be stunned! There are some great Plazas, surrounded by amazing sculptured buildings; try out the Plaza de Reina, which is where you start the bus tour from, which has a great atmosphere and nice bars/pavement cafes. Ask in Finnegans Irish bar there, for a booklet listing all the best restaurants, bars, clubs etc in Valencia; we got one, and a great recommendation for a brilliant restaurant that was great value, just of the Plaza.
On the bus tour, you'll be taken down to the new built complex on the river, which comprises an arts centre, a science museum and a Miramax dome; this is a state of the art complex, we got off the bus and were completely overwhelmed, you could be in Sydney harbour rather than Valencia, it's totally impressive and again, left us quite speechless.

We think Valencia will become much busier and touristy when they start to market some of this stuff - so visit soon while it's still relatively unspoilt!!

The Expo hotel is very clean, organised, with a great breakfast buffet, and very polite and helpful people working there. Also good value for money, and very close to two metro/train stations. A great choice for travellers.

Barcelona is a beautiful city, wonderful sites, parks, museums and almost everything one could ask from a holiday destination. However people there are so rude, excluding hotel staff. Found no bus driver, metro, restaurant, museum or shop staff able to say anything in plain English, or willing to help! Also prices are a bit extreme. I bought a 1,5ltr bottle of water for e2,50 in Las Ramblas, back home you get this for less than e0,70 euros. Dont try the tapas bars, we payed e81,50 in Las Ramblas, 4 people, nothing great, found no restaurant to offer a fair priced meal like, say ones you get to find in London. Entrance fees are also extreme. One of Gaudi desinger buildings has a fee of e16,50!!! Definately visit Barcelona, it is great, beautiful, colorful, alive and interesting, but...watch your budget!!!

Barcelona is a brilliant place,. our apartment was changed when we got there and the one that was the replacement was so filthy we couldn't stay in it.

As has been suggested already the Auto Hogar tends to be noisy, both from road noises and vistors. On the second night a group of teenagers descended on us and created Hell. We managed a move to another room in the front part of the Hotel the next day and it was better. However, the eateries in the hotel area are poor, plenty of Tapas bars but only an Italian with limited menu tempted us for a second visit. The Spanish owned eatery a bit further along the road was poor. You have good access to The Ramblas and the touristica bus was as good as everybody seems to think. Went up the Funicular from the nearby Metro station and enjoyed good views over Barcelona from the top. Lots to see but the best offering for meals seems to be sandwiches!

Hotel first class. Excellent poistion for sight seeing. Favourite restaurant - Cuisine Nitz. at Pl.Reial off The Rambla you will probably have to queue for 8.30pm opening but believe me its worth the wait for food/price/location. A must is taking the Official tour bus Red/Blue/Green routes very reasonable and you can get off and on when you want over two days for only 23euro, together with commentary in English. The bus takes in all major attractions throughout the city.

This hotel in the marina area of Barcelona was a digrace and would struggle to stay open as a homeless shelter in the UK. Very small dark unkempt rooms with broken and dammaged furniture and fittings, room 111 has a bad leak from the air con unit and floods the floor over night it has been like this for a number of months going by other revews we have since read. This Hotel was our alternative accommodation supplied to us by GLOBESPAN when they origionaly forgot to confirm our booking with our chosen hotel. We recieved a portion of our money back but still feel we should have had a full refund for the bad way we were treated by GLOBESPAN We will not use them again and do not have a good word to say concerning there working practices or cusomer service ( we have your money so tough attitude)

BEST ADVISE

Log on to the ABTA web site and print out a copy of the ABTA code of conduct it makes interesting reading.

By the way Barcelona a wonderfull city the Gothic quarter has hundreds of small specialist shops. Cool bars and restraunts every where best to aim out of the centre and use busy restraunts filled with locals.

For 8 people lunch with 2 courses and copious drinks in 1 restraunt cost 110 euro another poorer restraunt cost over 200 euro

I'd recommend the Alimara, a well-kept, eco-friendly hotel for a city break holiday. Non-smoking in all public areas, although you could go out to the garden and patio area to smoke if you wanted - also option of a smoking or non-smoking room.

Rooms provide everything you could want: satellite TV - with limited English channels, but including pay TV and option to check your bill at any time and use express checkout - radio and mini-bar: the only thing missing was tea/coffee making facilities, but we took our travel kettle and bought milk from the large, well-stocked supermarket opposite the hotel.

We had breakfast included in our package (cereals, toast, rolls, hot and cold food, tea/coffee and a good fruit salad bar), but believe it cost 11 Euros if not. Rooms are kept spotlessly clean, as are all the public areas.

I'd agree with other reviewers that the motorway traffic noise could be heard when the windows were open, but were well sound-proofed when shut so not a major problem (and with heating or air-conditioning in the room, there really was no need for windows to be open).

Most of the reception staff were friendly and helpful, especially with tourist information and gave you loads of literature on what to do and see in Barcelona.

No more than 10-15 minutes on the clean, safe and cheap Metro system to all the main tourist attractions (6.65 Euros for a 10-journey ticket). Trains run up to midnight and all night on New Year's Eve! The Metro system is easy to navigate and trains are punctual.

I'd stay at the Alimara again if we revisited Barcelona as it was nice to get out of the main town and relax after a day of sightseeing.

Only a 2 star Hotel but very good location and a decent Continental Breakfast.
Situated just off the Ramblas and next door to the Opera House,well situated for Restaurants and Bars.
From the Airport take the Aerobus straight to Paca Catalunya, this is an excellent service every 10 minutes and only costs 3.75 euros per person.The Hotel is only 5 minutes walk from the square. Friendly helpful staff in an interesting building, it even featured in the local guide book!
Would recomend it especially if trying to save a few euros. GREAT LOCATION.