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Hotel Palace in Barcelona


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Has anyone stayed at the Hotel Palace in Barcelona? We would like any information about this hotel. We are 4 women who will be going on the Brilliance of the Seas and would like to know if this hotel has comfortable beds, is quiet and has a good location. If anyone knows of any better hotels please let us know.

livingandlearning

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I can't comment on the Hotel Palace, but a group of six of us stayed at the Hotel Continental Palacete last October. We thought the location was ideal (at the top of Las Ramblas, only a few blocks from Plaza Cataluna) and the cost was great. The 24-hour buffet included all the soda, water and beer you could drink and the food options were terrific. I hope this link (a review with photos from another CC member) works. It gives a great review along with very representative photos - including the PINK rooms!

 

http://www.kenandpene.com/The%20Hotel%20Continental%20Palacete

 

Enjoy Barcelona! (Ican also recommend the hop on/hop off double decker bus tour of the city. Take both the blue and red line and you'll get a great orientation to the city and all the highlights!)

 

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Thanks so much PollyPenguin for the review and especially the pictures of the hotel. We are considering this one for our stay in Barcelona in Oct. We have been checking the boards and have gotten a lot of good information but this is a big help.

Thanks again,

Sandra

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I can't comment on the Hotel Palace, but a group of six of us stayed at the Hotel Continental Palacete last October. We thought the location was ideal (at the top of Las Ramblas, only a few blocks from Plaza Cataluna) and the cost was great. The 24-hour buffet included all the soda, water and beer you could drink and the food options were terrific. I hope this link (a review with photos from another CC member) works. It gives a great review along with very representative photos - including the PINK rooms!

 

http://www.kenandpene.com/The%20Hotel%20Continental%20Palacete

 

Enjoy Barcelona! (Ican also recommend the hop on/hop off double decker bus tour of the city. Take both the blue and red line and you'll get a great orientation to the city and all the highlights!)

 

 

This hotel, and its so-called sister hotel, are frequently recommended on this board despite the fact that neither warrants such adoration. For the same cost you can find a better room at any of dozens, if not hundreds, of excellent hotels in the same area as well in BETTER areas.

I write this because of our own experience with both of these "dumps," which IMO is what they are. Do yourself a HUGE favor and research your choice before you decide.

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You said you were taking the Brilliance of the Seas in October. If you are taking the 10/24, come over to the Roll Calls.......there is a large group of us who've been chatting about the cruise for over a year......

 

If you don't know how to get there, just go to the roll calls, find the ship, then find the date........

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Out of many, many posts about these hotels, I must say you are the first person who spoke with such distain.

 

Would you please be more specific regarding what you didn't like......I think it's only fair when you make a statement, that you provide the supporting information so if things have changed so dramatically since people were there, it be shared.

 

when were you there last? Thanks

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Hi Beth,

We are actually doing the transatlantic cruise on NCL Dream which leaves from Barcelona on Oct.9. We will be staying in Barcelona for three nights before the cruise and are having a hard time deciding on a hotel. Sooner or later we'll just make a decision (educated I hope!) and hope for the best.

But thanks for the invitation to your roll call and enjoy your cruise.

Sandra

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Hi four "chick" cruisers (and Sandra too). As an old time "Barca" - that's what the young people call Barcelona - guy I have a suggestion that you four ladies should really consider. I would suggest that you contact the Hotel Meson Castilla. Do not be put off by the star rating, but be aware that it is a clean safe funky hotel that will give you and your friends a wonderful intro to Barcelona before boarding your ship. Every single room is designed in a different Catalan style and there are rooms that have two or more bedrooms and a common area for pre dinner warm ups or whatever. It has a to-die-for European buffet breakfast with Spanish omelettes, bread, cheese, cold cuts, coffees and, if the weather is good, you will really enjoy eating on the outside patio. It is really close to Placa Cataluna and Ramblas and the hop on hop off bus. The staff are really helpful. If you are looking for a Holiday Inn - forget it. The bathtubs here are small and the elevator is out of the 40s! This is Spain and this is Europe. Location - superb - close to Ramblas. Call Maria Quinto or Amparo at 34-93-3182182 or e mail them. (Their English will be better than your Catalan!) Also check out the internet reviews. Regardless of your decision, I hope you have as much fun in Barca and on the Brilliance as my wife and I had!

 

http://www.mesoncastilla.com/Welcome_e.htm

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Greetings from our home in Barcelona.

 

If The Palace you are referring to is on Gran Vía de las Cortes Catalans (formerly known as the Ritz), then don't stay there.

 

First of all, it is not fair to compare The Palace with other hotels such as The Continental and The Continental Palacete. The former is a five-star luxury hotel, and the latter two are tourist-class hotels.

 

If you are looking for five star hotels, The Palace is worn and faded, and is desperately in need of a renovation.

 

Try the Casa Fuster or Majestic for five-star hotels in the L'Eixample area, or the Hotel Arts if you prefer the beach. I prefer the Casa Fuster, others prefer the Majestic. They are both on Paseo de Gracia, a much better location than Gran Vía. Through the end of August, Woody Allen's jazz musicians are playing in the Café Vienés at Casa Fuster. Woody Allen has already popped in twice to give an impromptu concert. I was lucky enough to be there last Thursday evening when Woody Allen gave a concert.

 

Please let me know if you would like any further information.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

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Sorry to temporarily hijack this thread, but I have a hotel question for Gunther and Uta.

 

We are staying one night pre-cruise in Barcelona. I made reservations at the Apsis Atrium Hotel. Then I read a bad review of the hotel and made reservations at Hotel MonteCarlo. Of these two, which would you recommend?

 

Our traveling companions are staying at Hotel Jazz post cruise. I cannot seem to get 2 rooms the night before the cruise. Any thoughts on this hotel?

 

Thanks so much.

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I'm sailing November, 2008 and want to spend two nights in Barcelona pre-cruise. I have been researching hotels in Barcelona and am getting some good vibes for Hotel Jardi. Seems like the location is good and price is good for my budget at 98 euros. Anyone know any details about Hotel Jardi? Thanks !!

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Hi four "chick" cruisers (and Sandra too). As an old time "Barca" - that's what the young people call Barcelona - guy I have a suggestion that you four ladies should really consider. I would suggest that you contact the Hotel Meson Castilla. Do not be put off by the star rating, but be aware that it is a clean safe funky hotel that will give you and your friends a wonderful intro to Barcelona before boarding your ship. Every single room is designed in a different Catalan style and there are rooms that have two or more bedrooms and a common area for pre dinner warm ups or whatever. It has a to-die-for European buffet breakfast with Spanish omelettes, bread, cheese, cold cuts, coffees and, if the weather is good, you will really enjoy eating on the outside patio. It is really close to Placa Cataluna and Ramblas and the hop on hop off bus. The staff are really helpful. If you are looking for a Holiday Inn - forget it. The bathtubs here are small and the elevator is out of the 40s! This is Spain and this is Europe. Location - superb - close to Ramblas. Call Maria Quinto or Amparo at 34-93-3182182 or e mail them. (Their English will be better than your Catalan!) Also check out the internet reviews. Regardless of your decision, I hope you have as much fun in Barca and on the Brilliance as my wife and I had!

 

http://www.mesoncastilla.com/Welcome_e.htm

 

I hate to take this much space by quoting all you wrote, but I want to have it available because it appears that you have steered us to a great hotel for our stay in Barcelona Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 prior to the Brilliance TA.

 

We currently have a booking at the Hotel nh Duc de la Victoria, but you suggestion may be better for us. We have stayed in various types of hotels in many European cities, and very often the ones with floors that slope, etc. turn out to be the most fun and memorable.

 

We have been to Barcelona before and stayed at the Ramblus, which was OK with our room at the back, but they seem overpriced now.

 

As I wrote on the Roll Call for our TA, we are going to mortgage our house so that we can afford to attend Barcelona's Liceu Opera for Aida. The Mason Castilla may be a bit far to walk back, but we should be able to cross the street and get a taxi, or take the subway for one stop and then walk 100 meters or so. Does this sound correct?

 

Finally, do the bathtubs have showers, or only the tub? Thanks for your info. If my wife likes the looks of the photos on the hotel website (which she will) I will also e-mail the hotel for specifics.

 

Oakville sounds like Ohio.

 

Bob ;)

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Greetings from our home in Barcelona.

 

If The Palace you are referring to is on Gran Vía de las Cortes Catalans (formerly known as the Ritz), then don't stay there.

 

First of all, it is not fair to compare The Palace with other hotels such as The Continental and The Continental Palacete. The former is a five-star luxury hotel, and the latter two are tourist-class hotels.

 

If you are looking for five star hotels, The Palace is worn and faded, and is desperately in need of a renovation.

 

Try the Casa Fuster or Majestic for five-star hotels in the L'Eixample area, or the Hotel Arts if you prefer the beach. I prefer the Casa Fuster, others prefer the Majestic. They are both on Paseo de Gracia, a much better location than Gran Vía. Through the end of August, Woody Allen's jazz musicians are playing in the Café Vienés at Casa Fuster. Woody Allen has already popped in twice to give an impromptu concert. I was lucky enough to be there last Thursday evening when Woody Allen gave a concert.

 

Please let me know if you would like any further information.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

 

Thank you for the good advice. When did you stay at the Hotel Palace because our TA told us that it was just recently renovated.

Thanks,

Livingandlearning

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The rooms you would most likely be assigned have not been renovated. Only the highest-end suites and most deluxe rooms have been renovated. However, the renovations were very superficial and The Palace still does not come up to the modern standards that even most new 4-star hotels enjoy nowadays. Don't stay there -- the location isn't that great anyway.

 

As far as the question about the other hotels mentioned, I have not been to those hotels. However, if you search this board, there have been extensive threads on nearly all of the hotels here in Barcelona. Sorry I couldn't be of more help on this one.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

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We are staying at the Avenida palace in sept for one night pre and post cruise.....on trip advisor it is getting very good ratings and out ta told us too that it is a very nice hotel and the location is suppose to be very good. Not sure if we are talking about the same hotel. I guess will keep my fingers crossed....it seems to get decent reviews...Jen

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Finally, do the bathtubs have showers, or only the tub? Thanks for your info. If my wife likes the looks of the photos on the hotel website (which she will) I will also e-mail the hotel for specifics.

 

In any spanish hotel you will find always a shower. Spaniards prefer to take a shower that a bath, like Italians and French.

 

With respect to Aida in the Liceu Opera House, it is an historic production which is 40 or 50 years old. Was one of the few old opera productions of the theatre that were not burned together with the theatre. It was recovered two o three years ago and had so great success that returns every year since. I must say that I prefer that kind of opera productions that most of "modern" productions that ara awful, without taste, and what you see has no relationship with what you see.

 

I do not know where actually is the Mesón Castilla but it could be at Plaça Castilla, that is just for an agreable walk from Liceu (10-15 minutes).

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For those on the board with local knowledge. I just booked this morning for 3 people at the Caledonian Hotel. I have been having trouble finding a nice hotel that has rooms for three people. We will be there next May. I already tried some of the hotels suggested on these boards but they were booked. I just want to make sure we are in a good and safe area. We paid $250 with tax for a triple room which to me is pretty high but I am certainly willing to pay that much if the rooms are nice. Can anyone help me with some information.

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are you really going to mortgage your house to go on a vacation?

 

No, this was just my way of indicating how expensive the Barcelona opera is, at least for good seats. The seats we hope to get when tickets go on sale will set us back about $350 for two. But what the heck, what we don't spend, our kids get.

 

Our Barcelona time is three nights before the Royal Caribbean Brilliance Transatlantic. We will get free before dinner drinks in the Concierge Lounge, so I will just have to be sure we participate in that activity enough to offset the opera cost. I think that reasoning is sound.

 

Bob :p

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In any spanish hotel you will find always a shower. Spaniards prefer to take a shower that a bath, like Italians and French.

 

With respect to Aida in the Liceu Opera House, it is an historic production which is 40 or 50 years old. Was one of the few old opera productions of the theatre that were not burned together with the theatre. It was recovered two o three years ago and had so great success that returns every year since. I must say that I prefer that kind of opera productions that most of "modern" productions that ara awful, without taste, and what you see has no relationship with what you see.

 

I do not know where actually is the Mesón Castilla but it could be at Plaça Castilla, that is just for an agreable walk from Liceu (10-15 minutes).

 

It is great to hear from someone who actually lives in Barcelona.

 

I do now recall that probably every place we have stayed in Europe had showers. We lived in Italy for four months and traveled extensively then and on later trips. At the time Spain was too far to drive, so we did not get there during that time. Our experience in Spain has even now been limited to Barcelona and Madrid and the cities where the cruise ships have stopped. Spain has been very nice to visit.

 

Aida is indeed one of the greatest operas ever composed. It is by Verdi, who died in 1901. We have enjoyed it at Tulsa, Oklahoma Opera, which presents very good performances. I assume the scenery set survived the Liceu fire of 1991.

 

We have experienced opera productions in London., Vienna, and Budapest. Part of the enjoyment is seeing the beautiful opera houses. Reading about the Liceu and the rebuilding to correspond to the original plan,

we are anticipating enjoyment in experiencing the opera house itself.

 

If you know, I have a question about the seating. From looking on the web site at the stage views from various seating locations, it appears that the fourth and fifth balconies have a steel bar which is above the balcony railing. The balconies below these levels appear not to have these bars. Such bars, or additional rails, drive us crazy if we have to look through them. Do you know if I am accurate that they are not in place below the forth balcony? I know this is beyond the usual information request, but I would be grateful for your response, even if it is " I don't know".

 

Incidentally, if you go to Budapest, be sure to book opera tickets long before you go. The tickets are really inexpensive because the government still subsidizes performances. Consequently, they sell out early.

 

Bob :rolleyes:

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If you know, I have a question about the seating. From looking on the web site at the stage views from various seating locations, it appears that the fourth and fifth balconies have a steel bar which is above the balcony railing. The balconies below these levels appear not to have these bars. Such bars, or additional rails, drive us crazy if we have to look through them. Do you know if I am accurate that they are not in place below the forth balcony? I know this is beyond the usual information request, but I would be grateful for your response, even if it is " I don't know".

 

Only forth and five balconies have a security rail. In orchestra boxes you have columns. In any case, in those balconies most of the time you see below the rail and does not bothe very much. I use to go the third balcony in the centre, and I love it. Second and third balcony have similiar prices, less expenisve that first balcony seats and boxes, and orchestra seats.

 

From an acoustic point of view, the central part of second and third balconies are de best, according the specialists.

 

You will enjoy the Liceu. Is one the biggest of the old opera houses in Europe (now has 2.200 seats) and the most beautiful of any. Is a true jewel rebuilt in a manner that has conserved most of its charm.

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For those on the board with local knowledge. I just booked this morning for 3 people at the Caledonian Hotel. I have been having trouble finding a nice hotel that has rooms for three people. We will be there next May. I already tried some of the hotels suggested on these boards but they were booked. I just want to make sure we are in a good and safe area. We paid $250 with tax for a triple room which to me is pretty high but I am certainly willing to pay that much if the rooms are nice. Can anyone help me with some information.

 

That hotel is in the very centre of Barcelona, just a walk from Las Ramblas and Plaça Catalunya. The only danger there, and in any crowded touristic zone of all Europe, are pickpockets, but less than in Las Ramblas. In any case a sure and good location.

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Only forth and five balconies have a security rail. In orchestra boxes you have columns. In any case, in those balconies most of the time you see below the rail and does not bothe very much. I use to go the third balcony in the centre, and I love it. Second and third balcony have similiar prices, less expenisve that first balcony seats and boxes, and orchestra seats.

From an acoustic point of view, the central part of second and third balconies are de best, according the specialists.

You will enjoy the Liceu. Is one the biggest of the old opera houses in Europe (now has 2.200 seats) and the most beautiful of any. Is a true jewel rebuilt in a manner that has conserved most of its charm.

 

Thank you very much for the information. These are the seats I am looking at. Tickets go on sale this Monday and I will be on the web to purchase ours. If I can't get center, I will probably go to stalls. (We often call these "orchestra" seats in the States.)

 

Thank you again. To others, I'm sorry to have gotten off topic, but this has been a great help.

 

Bob ;)

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Greetings from our home in Barcelona.

 

If The Palace you are referring to is on Gran Vía de las Cortes Catalans (formerly known as the Ritz), then don't stay there.

 

First of all, it is not fair to compare The Palace with other hotels such as The Continental and The Continental Palacete. The former is a five-star luxury hotel, and the latter two are tourist-class hotels.

 

If you are looking for five star hotels, The Palace is worn and faded, and is desperately in need of a renovation.

 

Try the Casa Fuster or Majestic for five-star hotels in the L'Eixample area, or the Hotel Arts if you prefer the beach. I prefer the Casa Fuster, others prefer the Majestic. They are both on Paseo de Gracia, a much better location than Gran Vía. Through the end of August, Woody Allen's jazz musicians are playing in the Café Vienés at Casa Fuster. Woody Allen has already popped in twice to give an impromptu concert. I was lucky enough to be there last Thursday evening when Woody Allen gave a concert.

 

Please let me know if you would like any further information.

 

Kind regards,

 

Gunther and Uta

OK, we are taking your advice and cancelled our reservations at the Palace Hotel. Our TA thinks that the Claris Hotel at Pau Claris 150 in Barcelona would be a good choice. Their website showed a very small map but it looked like it was far from Las Ramblas. What do you think of this hotel and it's location. Your advice is greatly appreciated and we look forward to hearing from you.

Livingandlearning

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I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Hotel Continental Palacete this week after my Norwegian Jewel cruise. The staff could not have been nicer. The sitting room is bright, clean and comfortable. I had the smallest room available, which was spotless and worked out fine for me as a solo traveler. There was even a small refrigerator and a microwave oven in the room. The buffet was a welcome amenity. I took the HOHO red line tour late in the morning (while my room was being prepared) and came back to the hotel afterwards, relocated my luggage from the secure storage room to my hotel room, drank some water and had a light snack, then headed back to the HOHO for the blue line tour. It was maybe a 2 block walk to the HOHO stop.

I would recommend this hotel in a heartbeat! It is not the fanciest hotel available, but for the traveler who is looking for a safe, economical, clean and comfortable place to rest their weary bones - it's a real thumbs up!! I'll stay there when I visit BCN again!

 

Liz

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