Barcelona, Spain

Can't help you with a guide, but have a couple of hotels that we are staying at later this month. The first is the Hotel Universal at the beginning of the trip. Their website is at hotelbarcelonauniversal.com and you can read the feedback that spurred us here at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187497-d230643-Reviews-Barcelona_Universal_Hotel-Barcelona_Catalonia.html. Depending on when you go, you might have a problem simply getting a one-night weekend stay there in the summer like we did on the backend of our trip. The second hotel we're staying at is the Hotel Fira-Palace. Their website is at http://www.fira-palace.com/ and the feedback page that made us comfortable with this property is at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187497-d228466-Reviews-Fira_Palace_Barcelona-Barcelona_Catalonia.html. If you want first-hand (and timely) feedback, we'll be back in the Stateson 6/26, so send me a side-message and I'll be happy to relate anything to you - good, bad, and ugly!

I would suggest the Hotel Granvia. Location is superb, just a five minute walk from the Catalunya Square and the start of the Ramblas (though honestly, I don't care for that street myself). It is also near three metro lines and right across the street from the line that goes directly to Sagrada Familia. http://www.nnhotels.com/en/hotelgranvia/index.php We stayed here three weeks ago and loved the place, great breakfast. Not to hurt the last post, but I looked up the location, and frankly it is not too well situated for touring the city since it is not really a short walk to anything that you will want to see. However, it is close to the cruise port (though that should not be your priority since you will use a taxi anyways to get there). On such a short stay, location should be your priority and I would pay a premium for a good spot.

Check out the Hotel Continental. There are two and both are in great locations. 24 hour complimentary buffet. http://www.hotelcontinental.com/web/

A second for Hotel Continental, they were very helpful when my plans changed at the last minute and the buffet is a handy feature. As for private guides, the TI offers daily walking tours, you may be able to get a group rate. The 2010 RS guide book recommends these guides (and I can personally recommend Joana, she guided my RS group and she was really great): Barcelona Guide Bureau (a co-op) gives four hour tours, starting at 200 euros - Joana Wilhelm and Carles Picazo (Via Laitana 54, tel 932-682-422 or 933107-778, www.bgb.es) Jose Soler (195 euro/half day) 615-059-326, www.pepitotours.com, [email protected]

Just back from Barcelona and would recommend BOTH of the hotels I recommended to you (the Universal and the Fira Palace). The downside on the Fira- Palace is that it wasn't as convenient as the Universal, but it was larger, had VERY large rooms, and offered more amenities. We LOVED the Universal - had a Metro stop right outside the front door, English-speaking staff (as did the Fira Palace), large rooms, and a roof-top swimming pool which was a great way to help deal with the jet lag on that first day. The downside on the Universal is that they frequently require a two-night stay. By the way, if you're looking for a good tapas restaurant, an EXCELLENT choice is Set de Born, a small place in the Sant Pere - Santa Caterina i la Ribera neighborhood (Old City). Their website is http://www.setbarcelona.es/. They didn't speak a lot of English but EASILY made up for that with their genuine service, good prices, atmosphere, and great wines!