Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! My family and I are going to be traveling to Barcelona and Madrid in August, and I was wondering what hotels Rick Steves uses on his tours to stay at. I had gone on a Rick Steves tour before and was very happy with the hotels they chose for us. If no one knows, I'd really appreciate suggestions on where to stay that are centrally located and within a reasonable budget. Thank you very much in advance!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23268 posts
You should post your question in the appropriate section.
Posted by
SE US
2354 posts
I stayed at Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor and have no complaints. Excellent location - we walked everywhere. https://maps.app.goo.gl/8RK44XSUdnLqiwcs6
Posted by
Bend, Oregon
2320 posts
Hotel Europa in Madrid
Posted by
Citizen of the World
1430 posts
Rick recommended BacHome Barcelona Gallery B&B in the Eixample district just blocks from Casa Mila and Casa Battlo. Great accommodations in a classical building.
Posted by
Indiana
808 posts
Everything about our stay at Hotel Granvia in Barcelona was enjoyable; modern, clean, excellent service. We chose a room with a city view, because I read that rooms facing the interior patio could be a bit dark. We were not fans of Hotel Preciados in Madrid. Staff was not particularly helpful & our room was nothing great. In our opinion the experience did not justify the price point of the hotel.
Posted by
Upstate NY
269 posts
When I was in Barcelona in October, there were several people in the hotel who were starting a RickSteves tour (in fact, there was even signage in the lobby). That was the Hotel Jazz, just west of Plaça Catalunya.
Posted by
11159 posts
We loved everything about The Principal in Madrid. It is not a budget hotel, however, but offered nice rooms, a fantastic location just off of Gran Via, close to many museums and Retiro Park.
Posted by
3245 posts
Way back in 2017, we stayed at the Hotel Artrip in Madrid. It is an easy walk from Atocha, very close to the Reina Sofia, and within walking distance of the Prado and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. More good restaurants than you will ever have time for.
https://www.artriphotel.com/en
Our hotel in Barcelona was more upscale, but still an excellent value for money. - the U232 in the Eixample. We walked to everything except Park Guell. My one suggestion for Barcelona is to take the 10 minute walk from Sagrada Familia to Montaner's Saint Pau.