Gorgeous small hotel in Barcelona - for long awaited weekend away without the kids!!

[philopastry]

I have somehow managed to persuade my parents to have the kids so me and DH can celebrate our wedding anniversary in style this year , we are off to Barca and would like to stay in the Barri Gothic area (just off the Ramblas). This is not a regular occurence in our life so we want to make the most of it and stay somewhere gorgeous and central for the nightlife.

Has anyone stayed anywhere that is small but perfectly formed that they could recommend? Friendly staff, beautiful rooms, heavenly beds would be good.

Also any bars, or restaurants around here that are too good to miss then please let me have names of those too.

Muchos Gracias!! (sorry - am a bit excited!)

My brother lived in the Barrio Gotico until recently. Last time we visited him we stayed in a lovely luxury rental apartment booked through these people just around the corner from his place. I know you asked for hotels but these were stunning, private, fairly swank etc and I prefer that!
I really recommend it. So many wonderful places to visit while you are there, you'll have a great time!

Recommend a ride up to Tibidabo, down the cost to Sitjes, up to coast to San Pao, further afield try Monserrat. Favourite bar is Gasparo not far from Catalunya. Some lovely venues to see bands too, if you like that. The Dove, The Apollo, just have a look to see who is playing (see FNAC in Placa de Catalunya to buy tickets). lots of UK bands play there and it is surprisingly cheap. If this is your kind of thing! I have no recommendations for spas and shopping!

Thanks for that Peas, I hadn't thought of an apartment but yes that could be really nice. Don't suppose you know the name of yours (if it was a 1 bedder)? Also a big thanks for all the info/ideas on stuff to do. I hadn't thought much beyond enjoying the lie-in's and Rioja infused walks down the Ramblas but i really want to make the most of it - live music, good sightseeing and the beach both sound great. Spas and shopping deffo not what I have in mind!
BTW, Your lucky brother! Hope he has moved to somewhere equally fab for you to visit him in?!

We stayed in here but it wasn't gigantic. But we chose one of their smaller ones because we were there for my brother's wedding and were barely home. Some of their swankier places look top notch. I tend to not spend too much on accommodation so I can lavish all my cash on nights out and day trips! If you look at Time Out Barcelona you can see what is on for the dates that you're there. I think this is a top venue: dh and brother went there recently: but Antony and the Johnsons is sold out.

My brother was there for 17 years I think. Has a foothold still, but has moved to Italy. Just pricing up a trip there myself! Shall I think of some more or am I going on a bit?!

OOOh do a day up on Montjuic. Cable car then Miro Museum. New hotel up there but I can't say I have dined there, but it looks pretty ritzy.

STOP ME!

Peasholme, you are a star, the barcelona tourist board need you in their office pronto, I can't wait to get over there and sample some of this stuff.... but your work here is done , thank you and good night
Hasta Luego!

dp and I stayed here on our last hotel before ds was born - its on las ramblas, has its own starbucks, fab room service, no noise from the street, underground pool. Just lovely!

Ooh that does look lovely - thanks

I think it is currently rated as the 3rd best hotel in Barca, it was 1 when we went

Get an online subscription to the Hedonist's guide for Barcelona. It's a fiver I think and brilliant - whenevre I've eaten where they tell me, it's always perfect. They do accomodation too.

www.hg2.com

We stayed in the cituitat (?) de barcelona hotel in the gothic area - very nice - i would reccomend it and very reasonable.
The time out guide to barcelona is invaluble

Also if you like seafood you have to try La paradeta restaurant in the Born area.
(just rummaged my time out guide off the shelves...)
It looks like a seafood market. You choose what you want off the counter, they weigh it and you pay for what it weighs. they take it into the back and cook it for you.
They just serve the fish / prawns / squid / whatever with a big green salad and a bottle of white wine.
The restaurant is like a school canteen! it is very noisy and you have to clear you own plates away, but you will not get fresher better cooked fish and it is unbelievable cheap! We loved so much, we went there again the next night. It helps if you know a tiny bit of spanish as I don't think anyone in there could speak english.

Love sea food and really like the sound of that Mabel - my spanish ain't great but you have just given me the perfect incentive to brush up a bit before we go, thanks.

Knew I should not have clicked on that 1898 hotel link - it looks amazing!

I've just booked the Monte Carlo hotel for a long weekend (no kids of DH's!) with a friend - I spent ages looking for the perfect hotel and in the end just went with the reviews on Trip Adviser (it was No 1 at the time) and the fact that this one has fluffy robes, jacuzzi and beds that go up and down! (sad but true!) We booked through Expedia and got a good offer.

Also liked the look of the Olivia Plaza - but put off by reviews which talked about the lack of sound proofing between rooms and lots of honeymooners go there! Ergh!