Casa Batlló (Barcelona)

Advantages: One of the best examples of Catalan Modernism
Disadvantages: Very expensive

...the almost impossible to pronounce, Casa Batllo. Earlier in the year I had attended a big industry conference in Barcelona and we'd had the conference 'gala' dinner in the Casa Batllo so I had already had a bit of a look around. Now I wanted to show my husband this little gem and get a bit more time to linger and look around. As I mentioned, the Casa Batllo is on Passeig de Gracia - just a few blocks down the road and on the other side from La Pedrera, ...
...degree of accessibility in the Casa Batllo makes it my favourite of the two. ~A little bit of History~ Gaudi didn't build 43 Passeig de Gracia - in fact there had already been a building there for nearly 30 years before he got his hands on it. The owner in 1900 was a local businessman called Josep Batllo Casanovas (great name, means new house - how appropriate). Originally he wanted the whole building knocked down and rebuilt from scratch but changed ... Read review

Advantages: Exterior counts as much as interior.
Disadvantages: Very expensive.

I visited the Cassa Battlo in Barcelona, because I am an artistic person and am drawn to the work of the Art Nouveau Movement all over the world, and one of my main reasons for my stay in Barcelona was to bask in the work of Antoni Gaudi, whose work is renowned, and for me this work is perfection in detail. The Cassa Battlo is no exception. What Gaudi did with his archecture was to take decoration one stage further, and to decorate the outside of ...
...inside of buildings. The popularity of this concept cannot be disputed as more and more people every year pay to see his work, and it saddens me that there were not more architects with the same forethought and originality as Gaudi, although perhaps it would have made his work less valid, and less original in concept. The fact that this house in all its splendour has passed the test of time and stands proudly overlooking a street in a city as busy ... Read review

Advantages: Good location, smart modern decor, brilliant air-conditioning
Disadvantages: Small inadequate sundeck and swimming pool

...We stayed at the AC Diplomatic for our honeymoon two years ago in August. Barcelona's main attraction for us is Gaudi architecture and we found this hotel exceptionally well-positioned. It is very close to Casa Batllo and La Pedrera and it is also handy for the tourist bus which calls at some of Gaudi's other famous landmarks in the city. It is also walking distance from Plaza Catalunya but not the place to stay if you're there for the beach. It is just a couple of blocks back from the Passeig de Gracia, so it is quiet as well as central. I can't remember what we paid at the time but it was competitive with other 4 star hotels. To book this year (2006) at the same time of year would cost 117Euros a night, but obviously the price varies considerably, depending when you travel. The staff were all exceptionally friendly and helpful... Read review

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