Choosing Your Barcelona Accommodation

When thinking about going on holiday and especiallybedroom apartments, to three or four bedroom
visiting a city, perhaps the first thing that springs to mindproperties - some with their own terrace or communal
when thinking of accommodation is a hotel. However,swimming pool. The Barcelona city council regulates
there are many other options depending on budgetthe situation and each property within the city centre's
and preferences. Barcelona is a fairly compact cityold town must have a licence and comply with rules
which can be seen easily in around 3-4 days, so if youand regulations. Anyone opting for this option in the city
don't mind using the great integrated public transportcentre itself (Cuitat Vella) should always verify that the
system in the city, it doesn't really matter whichapartment has its corresponding licence. Another few
neighbourhood you stay in, if you can get a great dealimportant things to check when opting for this kind of
on your accommodation.accommodation are if the building has a lift/elevator as
Perhaps starting at the bottom, for those on a tightersome older building can have narrow stairwells on a
budget, then you have the classic hostals or hostels.steep incline which may be an unexpected surprise.
These are typically large rooms with various beds -Also double check things that may be important for
often bunk beds - and shared bathroom facilities.personal comfort like air-conditioning, or Satellite
Some of these hostales have kitchen facilities, althoughTelevision - don't make assumptions. I always say that
it is very rare. Those who choose hostales arerenting a holiday apartment in a city is much better
typically given a locker for any valuables, although thisthan opting for a hotel, as the kitchen and living room
is not always the case. Don't be fooled into thinkingfacilities make it seem like a home away from home.
that these are for the typical student backpackers,Also, if you travel with small children, it's a godsend
either. Centric Point hostal on Passeig de Gracia is anbeing able to prepare proper meals or follow the usual
unbeatable location and a great place with highroutine, and then being able to relax in a living room and
standards.watch TV, or sit out on a balcony while the little ones
Next up are "pensiones" which are like 1 starget their much needed sleep. Again, travelling in a
establishments and are often family run, guesthousegroup of friends to an apartment offers considerable
style properties. In the city of Barcelona, these aresavings on multiple hotel rooms that see only a few
often one or two old converted apartments, and somehours of occupancy a night!
have en suite facilities, some don't. This again, is anRecent times have seen the Four and Five star hotels
excellent choice for people who want to spend morein Barcelona offer some fantastic reductions and deals
time outside exploring the city than in theiron their rooms and suites. If going on holiday for you
accommodation, and can prove considerable savingsreally means pampering yourself a little, then you
for a short break. There is a bit of a layover betweenshould definitely check prices in these places - you'll
what you would then consider a 2 star establishment -often be pleasantly surprised. Assuming you avoid the
some of the better 2 star places I've seen in the cityhuge conference dates, or classic public holidays and
have been way better than a few of the 3 star hotels.bank holiday weekends, you can get some great
The next type of accommodation is something oftendeals. Bear in mind that many of these hotels have
overlooked by many people, and relates toluxury items like rooftop pools, gardens or exclusive
self-catering apartments. These are typically privatelyterraces that can be enjoyed as well as the luxury of
owned apartments, ranging from studios or oneyour room.