Barcelona help please

[dottyaboutstripes]

I'm looking to book a hotel for 3 nights in the new year and would really appreciate any thoughts on which area to stay please!
It's for a trip in January but I'm a bit clueless and googling has thrown up conflicting advice so I'm hoping for recommendations. Thanks 😊

Is it for traditional sightseeing etc? I would use Placa Catalunya as a central point and look for something nearby. I prefer the Ramblas side, but others prefer the Exaimple.

https://www.aspasios.com/apartments-barcelona/catedral-bas-apartments/ We stayed here a couple of times. Not far from Ramblas, nearer the shopping streets, but quiet. 5 mins to the Cathedral and start of the old town. Not a hotel, I know but it was lovely.

We stayed here about ten years ago and it as great, the food in the restaurant was delicious - it can be a little noisy in the morning as it is near Sant Antoni market.

https://www.hotelmarketbarcelona.com/en/

For a first time visit, and as you’re there for just 3 nights, you’d be better off in the Gothic Quarter, Plaza de Catalunya or Las Ramblas. They’re really central and have easy connections to and from the airport.

Agreed.
I go every year in January and sometimes at other times for work. Been many many times.

My top choices would be the 1898 on Las Ramblas. Lovely hotel with taxi rank bang outside. Indoor and outdoor pool so great for January. Excellent location to get to all areas on foot ( beach, old town, Exiample ) and to find your way back to. Only downside is price but often do winter deals near Black Friday

Casa Mimosa. It’s a chain hotel so a tiny bit corporate ( although the building is old) but the rooms with terrace have a free view overlooking the famous Casa Mila rooftop. It’s in the same block and as one of the prime attractions, you can be first in. Rooms overlooking the road with balconies have fantastic hidden bathrooms with double showers and toilets at the end so ideal for those that like toilet privacy. Its in the Exiample area so a trek to the beach but heart of the city if you like big shops and some of the smarter restaurants.

Duquesa de Cardona. At the bottom of Las Ramblas is the sea and this hotel overlooks the fabulous marina and Port Vell shopping centre. It’s all sky. palm trees and yachts. Behind the hotel is straight into the small streets of the Gothic area. Lots of little bars and smaller tapas places to eat.

Everyone says Placa Catalunya but although completely central it’s essentially Piccadilly Circus. It’s a hub of traffic which I think you see in any city so whilst technically ideal I find it lacking as a location.

The tourist areas, around Las Ramblas (El Gotic / El Raval / El Born) or near the main beach (Barceloneta) in the summer months are absolutely mobbed with tourists, to the point that it's quite unpleasant - locals avoid them and it feels like a bit of a circus.

However, in the winter these areas really come into their own - they're much calmer and pleasanter, and really lovely to wander around. Maybe this is why you've had conflicting advice?

As others have said, if you're only there 3 nights then it's good to be central so you can see lots and not spend too long on buses/metros.

However, some parts of El Raval can be a little seedy at night, so if you're worried about that then stay clear of it. And as I'm sure you've heard, just be hyper vigilant of pickpockets anywhere around the center!

Thank you all! Will take a look at everything mentioned