Barcelona's Not So Hidden Secret

Advantages: A beautiful setting with some amazing animals
Disadvantages: Is perhaps overshadowed by other attractions

...Whilst in Barcelona earlier this year we were looking for somewhere to visit that hadn't been on my tourist's agenda on my previous visits. Having spent a morning at the aquarium in the port are we headed for the Zoo. Located in the middle of the City it is well signposted in every direction and features as one of the main stops on all of the sightseeing tour buses routes. There are a couple of car parks located near to all of the entrances and again this is all well signposted from the city's main access routes. Over the last couple of years we've visited a few Zoos and Aquariums and it would be fair to say that Barcelona is one of the biggest Zoos. Like many Zoos these days they are signed up to the World Zoo conservation strategy and are committed to breeding programs for endangered species. Having opened for the first time in...

Andy.mack 25.10.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Zoo (Barcelona)

Europark Hotel, Barcelona

Advantages: Great Location
Disadvantages: None

...The Location Of Europark Hotel The Europark is a three star hotel in L'Eixample district on Arago. It is in a fantastic location very close to the Passeig de Gracia and a short walk to Las Ramblas and the Barri Gotic (about fifteen minutes walk). The metro and trains get you anywhere you want to go in Barcelona and its only a five minute walk to the nearest station. The metro and trains are reasonably priced. Metro is 1 euro per ride. Train from airport to bottom of Arago was 6.50 euros each way. Address: Europark Hotel Arago 323-325 08009 Barcelona Telephone:93 457 92 05 E-mail: heuropark@nnhotels.com Checking In Checking in was really smooth, I had booked online and been e-mailed an accomodation voucher which you need when checking in, you also need your passport which they give you straight back. We were...

debmercury 04.10.2009 (05.11.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of EuroPark Hotel, Barcelona

Apartment smelled of drains

Advantages: Nice pool, pleasanr helpful staff, appartment very clean
Disadvantages: Bathroom stunk of drains, kitchen antiquated, no kettle, toaster or hairdryer

...in the car and go and explore for a while. SUNSHINE MAKES EVERYTHING LOOK GOOD: We made our way up to the pool area and were pleasantly surprised by a couple of big pools, lots of sun loungers and umbrellas, a couple of quiet bars and a restaurant. It all looked quiet, sunny and inviting. We sat down and enjoyed an iced tea and toasted sandwiches. We had been up since 2am and I had only had a cup of coffee and water so I was quite hungry by now. The waiter was lovely and the food was fine. We were getting quite positive vibes and when we went back to reception they said our apartment was ready we were almost on a high. MAYBE I SPOKE TOO SOON: We drove around to near our apartment and went up to the top floor, no lift but we are quite fit so that is not a great problem. We struggled with the old key in the lock and eventually got in. It...

catsholiday 28.07.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Albufeira Jardim Apartments, Algarve

Estella Hotel and Apartments Did NOT Disappoint!

Advantages: Excellent location, superb customer service levels and lovely rooms
Disadvantages: No real facilities for the disabled

...Estella Hotel Apartments is based in Limassol in Southern Cyprus where I stayed for 6 nights in late April/early May of 2009 with my cousin. The booking was made via Expedia.co.uk and worked out at approximately £200 for 2 of us sharing a twin apartment (just £100 each basically). Before I confirmed the booking through Expedia I went off and did a bit of research on the hotel to make sure I wasn?t getting something that was cockroach infested. The hotel?s website, although fairly basic in appearance, made the hotel look pleasant enough and I sent an email to the hotel asking what amenities were included in the rooms/apartments. I received a reply in very clear English very promptly and then started a chain of emails between myself and the very helpful contact at Estella, a lovely lady called Helen (who was away in Australia during...

anonymili 12.05.2009 (02.06.2009) · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Estella Hotel Apartments, Limassol

Hotel 1898 - Barcelona

Advantages: Location, Location, Location
Disadvantages: Bar prices and breakfast

...Hotel 1898 ? Barcelona ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Hotel 1898 is a mid priced hotel situated on the main tourist strip Las Ramblas in Barcelona?s Gothic district. Built in the former building of the Philippines Tobacco Company it has been converted to a very high standard with all the facilities you?d expect from a modern city centre hotel while maintaining the character of the pre-existing architecture. Part of the Nunez Navarro chain it is one of several hotels they have in Barcelona and like their other properties offers a high standard of accommodation geared towards the modern traveller. Location~ Hotel 1898 is sited a couple of hundred yards south of Plaza Catalunya, the dropping off point for coaches from the airport and a hub for public transport and has entrances on Las Ramblas and Pintor Fortuny. The central location means...

brereton66 27.06.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Review of Hotel 1898, Barcelona

Lewd and Lurid in Barcelona

Advantages: Fab cinematography, great performances from Cruz, Bardam and Rebecca Hall
Disadvantages: All a bit lewd and lurid

...If you remember in 2007 we saw Javier Bardam, a ferocious villain, wearing a bad haircut, roaming destructively around the county of Texas in the film 'No Country for Old Men.' He played the role of one of the most frightening men in the history of film. In Woody Allen's new comedy, 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Bardam has a new hairstyle and is wearing some trendy and very stylish shirts but I still find it difficult to blot out the vision of that indelible and formidable performance. Even in Allen's new film, Javier is still playing a rogue. His good Latin looks are impressive but this time he is even more scary. He plays the role of Juan Antonio, a stylish dressed, Lothario, who has women falling at his feet. Whether they are women of a promiscuous nature or have high morals and are principled, they are seduced by him and he teaches...

Praski 08.11.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Vicky Cristina Barcelona (DVD)

I was tickled pink on the outskirts of Barcelona

Advantages: Fantastic rooms - they thought of almost everything
Disadvantages: A long way from the centre of the city

...There was a time - not so long ago - when business travellers were almost all men and suppliers to the industry (airlines, hotels etc) built their offer around what men wanted. Cutting edge hotel décor was of the 'dark wood - black leather - lots of chrome' variety that's apparently supposed to appeal to the boys. If you are old enough, think of the apartment of the control-freak boyfriend in the film 'Nine and a Half Weeks' and you'll get the idea. For many years, if you were a woman staying in business hotels in Eastern Europe, you had to be careful not to sit alone in reception waiting for anyone as you might find yourself in the company of lots of other 'ladies' who weren't exactly paying for their rooms, if you know what I mean. On the flip side 'nice' male travellers in some parts of the Far East had to contend with having friendly...

koshkha 01.07.2008 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Hesperia Sant Just, Barcelona

He's from Barcelona

Advantages: Everything you want on a city break
Disadvantages: Too many things to do

...Barcelona ^^^^^^^^^ Barcelona is one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe, and for several very good reasons. It is only a short flight from the UK and with budget airlines can be very cheap to reach. Being a coastal city the climate is not too oppressive for our sensitive natures and there is a little bit of everything available to keep just about any kind of visitor entertained. There are bars, restaurants and night life if that?s what you?re after. There are museums, galleries and spectacular architecture if that?s your bent and there are beaches, parks and shopping to fill in the gaps. Whatever type of break you?re after; chances are you?ll find it in Barcelona. Having recently spent four days in the city what struck me most was just how much there was to do and how much I?d left undone. I?ve been on several...

brereton66 20.07.2007 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Barcelona (Spain)

The Sacred Heart Church, Tibidabo, Barcelona

Advantages: Beautiful church, great views of Barcelona below.
Disadvantages: None

...On a recent trip to Barcelona, I went on a city tour to take in some of the sights that we had missed on our last visit. A place I was really looking forward to visiting was Tibidabo Mountain, which is the highest peak in Barcelona at over 500m above sea level. Anyone who visits Barcelona will not fail to notice Tibidabo, and this is due to the imposing church of Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart) which stands at the top of the mountain, and the impressive statue of Jesus Christ on the highest spire of the church. On travelling in and out of Barcelona, seeing this church and statue on top of the mountain is a fantastic sight. The church is the work of architect Enrique Sagnier, and building commenced in 1902 and took 60 years to build, so it is actually not that old! The church is unusual in that it is built as a church on top of a church...

JEFFJEN 20.07.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of The Sacred Heart Church, Barcelona

Right in the heart of Barcelona

Advantages: great location, swimming pool, friendly staff, clean, tidy and attractive
Disadvantages: no kettle! pool closed not in summer, expensive resturant

...I stayed for 3 nights in the 4 star Sunotel Central hotel in Barcelona in March 2008 with my partner and almost one year old. LOCATION Sunotel Central is situated in Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes which is one of Barcelona's major avenues. It is a great location which is right in the heart of Barcelona and a 5 minute walk to Las Ramblas, which is the main strip in Barcelona. It is also a 15-20 minute walk to Port Vale beach and harbour, and a 2 minute walk to the nearest metro station (that's underground station to you and me!) - 'Universitat'. There is also a bus stop outside the hotel which can take you all over the city. The staff at reception are happy to call a taxi for you and the taxi's are generally quick and reliable. It's set on a main road so is easy to find and easy to get dropped off and picked up right...

karalouk 05.03.2009 · Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Review of Sunotel Central, Barcelona