A September 2004 trip to Barcelona by lanimaesd
Quote: We chose the city of Barcelona for our first-time introduction to Spain and spent a fabulous 2 days there. It was a welcome getaway from a jam-packed trip to France and Italy.
Overview
I also had one of the best dining experiences ever at a quaint and tucked-away restaurant aptly named Colibri (hummingbird). This gem had only seven or eight tables, which made the service very personalized and attentive.
We also enjoyed the cable-car ride from the base of our hotel to Montjuic. The views of the city were magnificent.
If you are a soccer fan (as my boyfriend is), the massive stadium where FC Barcelona plays is a must-see. It also houses a rather large and detailed museum honoring the sport.
Hotel | "Eurostars Grand Marina"
The hotel is right on the bay, surrounded by boats and cruise ships. The large lobby is rather stark, but the rooms were very nicely decorated, reflecting the modernistic theme you see throughout Barcelona. Our room was a decent size for European standards and the bathroom was quite large. The bed was comfortable, and the sheets felt luxurious.
The hotel staff was very attentive. They offered a turn-down service, which was very welcomed after a long day of walking! We had a lovely room service breakfast that was very prompt. The hotel also provided a Mercedes to take us to the airport at around the same price of a taxi. The cable cars to Montjuic were just outside the lobby doors, and it was quick 2-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk to Las Ramblas. My only suggestion is to expect to pay an arm and a leg if you use the hotel's laundry service. We were quite surprised at our $100 bill for only a few articles!
Overall, we really enjoyed our two nights' stay and would return again.
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 20, 2005
Grand Marina Hotel WTC MOLLE DE BARCELONA SN Barcelona, Spain 08039 34-93-6039000
Restaurant
Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 21, 2005
Colibri Rieva Alta, 33-35 Barcelona, Spain 93 443 23 06
Our host was very friendly. The restaurant was casual with a nautical theme, and the paella did not disappoint! The flavors of the rice and generous amount of mussels, shrimp, fish, and squid made me a fan of this local specialty. Even my boyfriend, who normally doesn't try new dishes, kept stealing bites. Since then, I have been unable to find a restaurant that serves paella as good as Salamanca's.
Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 21, 2005
Salamanca Almirant Cervera, 34 Barcelona, Spain 08003 +34 93 2215033
Attraction | "FCB Museum in the FC Barcelona Stadium"
There was also a huge, multi-level FC Barcelona store upon exiting the museum, where you could find any type of team-related souvenirs.
FC Barcelona Museum at Camp Nou Avinguda Arístides Mallol, 12-18 Barcelona, Spain 08028 +34 93 4963600
Story/Tip
I have read mixed reviews, and although we did not get as far as the main clusters of street vendors, we never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. As expected, the street is filled with tourists, but Las Ramblas is definitely one of the vibrant areas of the city and should not be missed!
lanimaesd San Diego, California