hotel in barcelona? should we stay in barri gotic? any suggestions?

I'd recommend anywhere near Plaza Catalunya. We stayed at Hotel Alcantara and Hotel Reding, and I liked them both. Hotel Reding was a touch more tucked away, more stylish, but had thinner walls.

For a three night stay i suggest finding an apt to rent. Better values, more space, a kitchen and potentially offers greater opportunity to mingle w locals. Try airbnb website to determine opportunities which may interest you.

What kind of price are you looking for? We are staying at Ally's Guest House before our cruise in June, really inexpensive. It is walking distance to La Sagrada Familia and the Moderniste area, and our healthy active little group will probably walk the mile and a half to the top of las Ramblas. Our plan is to leave our bags (because of early arrival), walk through the Modernista area, to Las Ramblas, down that street to Bari Gottic, go to the Picasso museum, then on to the beach, followed by dinner at some interesting looking sidewalk restaurant. At some point we will take a cab back to Ally's.

But with three days, you have a lot of options! Please post when you decide what you are doing.

Jan B.

Mercer Hotel in Barri Gotic. Recently opened boutique hotel. Worth the splurge, they live up to the reviews. Lots of good restaurants nearby.