Hotels in Barcelona and Valencia and Madrid

I've stayed twice at the Europa in Madrid - and the RS tours use it. I was very satisfied, and it's a great location, you can take the Cercanias train to/from Atocha station and airport, and use the elevator at Sol (also called Vodasol I guess Vodafone paid a lot) to/from street level.

Hi, Hotel Europa is a good price as well so I will keep that one.
I hand picked the other hotels based on location and price as well,
but I started adding up the trip costs, and wondering if I should try
to find lesser priced hotels. I am loosing sleep searching. I will most
likely keep what I have found, unless I get feedback for others.

I had booked a cheaper place in Madrid, recommended to me by Harold, for last March, but I changed my plans and skipped Madrid completely. It's not quite as conveniently located but still central. For 2 one-night stays, you may be better off at the Europa, since it is easy access to the train station via the Cercanias. Though even with taxis, you may still save at the hostal over the hotel.

In Barcelona, I've stayed twice at Pensio2000 (and I got a 9% discount for paying cash). It's kind of a B&B, all the amenities except breakfast, excellent location and the owner is extremely helpful and speaks beautiful English. Larry found a place near the train station, not as central for walking, but very convenient for day trips. He's still in Spain on his trip, but he did say he was happy with the accommodations.

Thank you for your replies! My head is spinning, so most likely I will
keep Hotel Europa, especially since you said it is easy to get to from the train
station.
Phyllis

We stayed at Hotel Europa back when they were remodeling. We loved it and the location is wonderful.

Great! Now if I can decide on the hotel for Paris.

Are you sure you want to be at the waterfront in Valencia rather than in the center? The bus system works well and there are plenty of taxis but there will be some time involved in getting to the important sites.

You are making a good point, but the reason I chose the beach is that it is our last
night of push push push to see this and that and I thought it would be nice to relax.
What would you recommend for us to see there? We will get there sometime that day
from Barcelona...I don't know the train schedule yet and the next day we will be leaving
to go back to Cuenca, where my daughter will be living for the Fall semester.
Thank you.
Phyllis

You are making a good point, but the reason I chose the beach is that it is our last
night of push push push to see this and that and I thought it would be nice to relax.
What would you recommend for us to see there? We will get there sometime that day
from Barcelona...I don't know the train schedule yet and the next day we will be leaving
to go back to Cuenca, where my daughter will be living for the Fall semester.

Phyllis, the Nord train station is in the city center, just a few minutes' easy walking (with luggage) to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. I know because I had to walk it! There are two train stations (Nord and Joaquin Sorolla). Most of the trains arrive at "JS", there's a free shuttle bus between the two, a 5-minute ride.

If you don't want to see the city, why stay there? Barcelona has beaches.

Hi, I will think about what you are saying. Right now, I am still more concerned with our Paris trip.
Have you been there? You might be able to help me. We are booked near the Eiffel Tower, but
I keep wondering if we should be more in the center of the city. If you have traveled to Paris,
what are your thoughts on this? As far as Valencia, I just wasn't going to push myself to try to see
anything, honestly, just eat authentic Valencian paella and relax. I will talk to my daughter and see
what her preference is. She will be there for a semester so she will be able to go back there as well.
Thanks.

phyllis -

When I am in Valencia I stay at the Catalonia Excellsior. It is an awesome hotel, reasonably priced and close to almost everything - cafes, bars, restaurants, shopping, and most importantly, the main sites. They have an excellent system of public transportation in Valencia, but when staying at the Excellsior, the only place I wanted to go that I could not walk to in 15 minutes was the Ciudad de las Artes y .las Ciencias. It is easiest to take a taxi out there. When there check out the aquarium (the best in Europe!) and the science museum.

You will be able to relax and find reasonably authentic paella in the passeig de Neptune waterfront area in Valencia; the previous mayor put some effort into gentrifying the neighborhood but there's still plenty of grit left to take in.
Consider dining in Casa Montana -- enter from one side for tapas, from around the back for sit-down meals.
http://www.viamichelin.com/web/Restaurant/Valencia-46011-Casa_Montana-224139-41102

For Paris, you really need to do your homework and make some plans ahead of time because there is plenty of everything to tempt you wherever your lodging, both tempt you towards good and towards evil :-)
Near the Eiffel tower, I'm a fan of President Wilson -- there's a great upscale farmer's market twice a week, and several public museums and private galleries and gardens to pick your way through.

My daughter said she would rather stay in the city center.
So now I will check out the recommendations you all have sent me.
Thanks.
Phyllis

As far as Paris, she is ok with staying near the Eiffel Tower, where we are booked.
I am thinking maybe we will since I have it all planned in my mind that way.
I am still considering closer to the city's center but it more expensive and I do
like the hotel I have for about $200 cheaper with a nice breakfast included.
I have actually been working on this trip for about a month!!!
My brain is really getting overloaded.
Phyllis

I said this in another thread. We stayed at the Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya. Great place. Main train station across the street plus subway on other side of it. Fantastic views if high enough. Close to lots of things. Reasonably priced. High end hotel feel. Loved it.

Plus, u can see it from lots of places so easy to keep your bearings