Hotel Abalon, Barcelona

Advantages: The luxury
Disadvantages: None that I could see

...Hi, I hope this review is of help to you in your choice of hotel. I have worked in the travel Industry for over 20 years now, so would say I can be quite critical. Ok, well I guess the best place to start is the location ........... ************LOCATION*********** This hotel is based in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona. This area marks the city's southern boundary and has excellent public transport to the centre. Centuries ago this quarter was a village separate from Barcelona. What I really noticed was the narrow streets and the small houses. In this area is the Sants Station, which is in front of the Plaça dels Països Catalans. Also close to the Plaça de Sants is the Les Cotxeres, which is an old tramway deposit that has been converted into an exhibition centre or dance hall, depending on the occasion. The nearest Train... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Location, Location, Location
Disadvantages: Bar prices and breakfast

...Hotel 1898 – Barcelona ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hotel 1898 is a mid priced hotel situated on the main tourist strip Las Ramblas in Barcelona’s Gothic district. Built in the former building of the Philippines Tobacco Company it has been converted to a very high standard with all the facilities you’d expect from a modern city centre hotel while maintaining the character of the pre-existing architecture. Part of the Nunez Navarro chain it is one of several hotels they have in Barcelona and like their other properties offers a high standard of accommodation geared towards the modern traveller. Location~ Hotel 1898 is sited a couple of hundred yards south of Plaza Catalunya, the dropping off point for coaches from the airport and a hub for public transport and has entrances on Las Ramblas and Pintor Fortuny. The central location means... Read review

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Advantages: Luxury hotel in a great setting for restaurants and shopping
Disadvantages: Not the friendliest staff, and pricey extras

..., and as per the guidebook a taxi to your hotel shouldn't cost more than 30 Euros. There are also cheaper options of taking a bus or the metro. As soon as we arrived in reception to check out with our suitcases, we were offered the hotel limo for the same price as a taxi to the airport. We quickly adapted to 'Spanish time' and returned from dinner late for drinks on the 7th floor by the pool, listening to live Spanish music from11pm. Being pregnant, the friendly bar staff were very willing to find obscure soft drinks (and even hot chocolate) for me! The bar staff in contrast to recption were extremely friendly and accomodating. We only ate one meal in the restaurant, primarily because there are so many fantastic places to eat in Barcelona, but the meal was beautifully presented and producing bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar... Read review

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