We stayed at the apsis splendid for three nights and found the location excellent. Handy for tourist spots but not right in the thick of things so not too noisy.
Hotel plus points. Location. Rooms basic but clean. Our room on the third floor was spacious. Breakfast excellent. Well worth booking in advance to get half price rate. Some of the food was not that hot (if its been out on the self service counter for a while) watch out for the fresh dishes being put out. Plenty of choice with fresh fruits, ham, cheeses, cereals and english breakfast staples.
Negatives. No view at all from room. Windows looked out onto other facing windows. This made the room seem dark at all times. Not too much of a problem as we spent so little time in the room. Basically it was just somewhere to sleep. Bathroom toiletries were half empty when we arrived so had already been used by someone else. Didn't get replaced until our last night. So use sparingly! When checking in they don't tell you that you have to pay extra for room safe (3 euros a night) so you go all the way up to your room and then have to come down again to sort out. Would be better if they just told you at the start.
The best bit about the hotel was the reception staff who could not have been more helpful. Joseph and Albert in particular. Nothing was too much trouble. They gave lots of helpful advice on where to go etc.
From the aiport in taxi cost 27 euros for 4 people and 4 small cases (cases are extra) though our meter was already running when we got in it. Not sure if this is normal practice. We decide to brave the bus going back as by then we were more aware of our bearings. Bus goes from nearby square (5-10mins away) and costs 3.90 euros each. Buses run very regularly.
We did the Barcelona open top bus tour (orange bus) which I was disappointed with. Commentary was by headphones which was a little boring. Noticed another bus company were doing live commentary which I would have preferred. Wished we had done that one.
Fountains of Montjuic were worth seeing. Try to go at night to get a better effect as they use lights as well as music.
La Ramblas very interesting at all times. Lots of live entertainment. Watch out for the naked man walking through the crowds wearing only a pair of tattooed trunks. Not for the faint hearted! Loved the food (fruit/meat/fish etc) market off La Ramblas, very colourful and plenty of choice. The prawns there are fantastic.
Overall Barcelona is great. It has everything......the history, the marina, the beach, hundreds of bars and restaurants and PLENTY OF SHOPS!!!
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