What can someone tell me about this place? where do you fly there, has anyone been there?

My friend is planning a trip to europe for a month and I might tag along for 2 weeks, our planning has us nearby to this place I have heard might be a good "gay" destination. I've been considering using a SWISS FC award from PHL-BOS-ZRH-NCE to get down there.


Chris

Chris,

Sitges is one of my favorite destinations. I was actually scheduled to fly out on September 11th for a holiday there, obviously never made it.

You can fly in to Barcelona, there is a train that will take you from the airport to Sitges, which is very close - about 30 minutes travel time.

It is a beautiful place, lots of bars, great restaurants, etc. and not very expensive by Euro standards.

However - Sitges is a warm weather destination. I don't think I would contemplate a trip there before late Spring, with August and September being the busiest.

Cheers,
CanGuy

Sitges is nice and an Ibiza/Sitges combo is even nicer--

http://www.gayinsitges.com/

http://www.gayibiza.net/

http://www.ibizanight.com/noche/gay/gay1_en.htm

Ibiza is only a 20-30 minute flight from BCN on Aviaco.

I'll be in Barcelona the first week of July with some friends. We were thinking of adding on Sitges--is it an easy daytrip w/rental car or train or is it best done as an overnight?

We took a very pleasant day trip from Barcelona to Sitges (and back) by train last September. The ride was about 30 minutes, plus it took another 15 to get from our hotel to the Sants station in Barcelona. We had a leisurely stroll, visited some shops, enjoyed a huge seafood supper, and then headed back to Barcelona.

The train schedule can be found here:
http://www.renfe.es/ingles/empresa/cercanias
(Choose Barcelona, and then enter "Barcelona Sants" and "Sitges" as dperture and arrival stations.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JimC:
I'll be in Barcelona the first week of July with some friends. We were thinking of adding on Sitges--is it an easy daytrip w/rental car or train or is it best done as an overnight?</font>

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay in Sitges?

I was thinking maybe this place;

http://www.ilovesitges.com/gay/casasitges.htm

Chris

I've been to Sitges twice and both times stayed at the Hotel Romantic. An absolutely charming and historic hotel that anyone would be hard-pressed not to enjoy. It's not fancy by any means, but I found the rooms clean and comfortable and the prices extremely reasonable. It's also a place for the boys, so you'll have lots of company there.

Fave things in Sitges include the beach (of course!), though it's not the nicest or cleanest I've been to, and late afternoons at any outdoor cafe drinking cheap sangria and meeting people (more boys!) from all over the world. Like all of Spain, dinner is never before 10:00p or 11:00p and the clubs don't get going 'til the wee hours.

As already mentioned, it's a very fast, easy, and inexpensive train ride from Barcelona and you don't need a car there. All in all, a great destination and IMO much more enjoyable than Ibiza unless you're really looking for the circuit party crowd.

Anyone stayed at the Hotel Calipolis? I'll be there week of July 4.

The only downside about the train - is that the last train back to Barcelona leaves 10 ish in the evening (well it did in Feb when Iwas there). So we cut our losses, rented a room in a cheap gay run hotel and spent a wild night in town (and on the beach). Nothing hots up before 10 in Spain. And yes, it was busy in Feb, so will be over the top in the height of summer.

Enjoy.

Fun!

I booked that place I listed above for two nights, and this is some great advice for a destination I hadn't heard of before. They said they will arrange for an early morning car for about 24 Euros to take me to the airport (BCN) to meet my 7:10am flight. I don't expect I will have slept much at that point.

Chris

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by GK:
And yes, it was busy in Feb, so will be over the top in the height of summer.
</font>

The reason for this is because it's Carnival in February.

A note for those planning on staying at Hotel Romantic - if you taken anyone back to your room you will be charged extra for that person for the night.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by criscokid:
A note for those planning on staying at Hotel Romantic - if you taken anyone back to your room you will be charged extra for that person for the night.

</font>

Why that's not very Romantic! hehe

True..I have seen the no "bringing people home" room before.

Hmm, I have never heard of Stiges. What is the phonetic spelling of Stiges?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by catwood:
True..I have seen the no "bringing people home" room before.</font>

This rule amazed me in Mexico. Apparently, there they just flat out wouldn't permit it, forget just charging you an extra person. Although, I think if the guest were the proud bearer of an American passport, it seemed to be OK.

Has anyone been to the Hotel Santa Maria? I am booked for 4 nights in early September. The location looks great, and the prices seem reasonable. I've found some good reviews for the adjoining restaurant, so I'm hoping the same holds true for the hotel. (And hopefully they don't have the "pay extra for an overnight guest" policy! ;) )

The hotel is a great location, although I have never stayed at the hotel. The resturant is nice. I had lunch there every day.

It's a great location, but they are currently completely gutting the buildings on both sides. They have the big nets and scaffoldings up and huge trucks blocking the street. Lots of dust and noise. This may or may not be over by September, you never know in Spain.

The hotel itself is nice enough by euro standards; nothing special. Just down the street is the Calipolis which is pretty fantastic if you can get a good rate.

I am leaving for my second visit for a week first week in April. Staying at Hotel Liberty.
One of my favorite cities. One of my favorite events is Ash Wednesday when the drag queens all march down the street in funeral atire mourning the death of carnival.

Feel free to email me with questions.

It's a great location, but they are currently completely gutting the buildings on both sides. They have the big nets and scaffoldings up and huge trucks blocking the street. Lots of dust and noise. This may or may not be over by September, you never know in Spain.

The hotel itself is nice enough by euro standards; nothing special. Just down the street is the Calipolis which is pretty fantastic if you can get a good rate.

The view from the room in the Calipolis was nice and convenience to the beach was nice, but, I strongly recommend that people stay in Barcelona and commute to Sitges if the Calipolis is as good as it gets. The hotel was overpriced, staff was semi-unfriendly, and the rooms totally unimpressive. This in conjunction with a "Lift" that groaned louder than our next door neighbors. :)

Loved Sitges though...hiked up by the railroad tracks and beaches in that area. Food was some of the best that we had in Spain.

MrMan, the first week of April is over already, and Carnaval was a month ago. :confused: We had a party here with a dozen FTers.

bigjim, do you really expect people to stay 45 minutes away from a village that you "loved" with "some of the best food in Spain" just because of one experience with one hotel? I didn't say the Calipolis is as good as it gets. I said it had a good location near the one the other poster was asking about and could represent a good deal, with rooms going for 70EUR some weekdays.

As good as it gets would be the Meliá above the Marina, which is one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in ever, the new Playa San Sebastian next to the church, The Subur Maritim in the Vinyet, the Teramar on the north end of the village, and the very swank Antemare above the paseo in the Vinyet.

Alan,

Didn't mean to put you on the defensive. I thought that you were saying that the hotel was fantastic. I thought that the good rate comment was just an aside.

To each his own - on each return visit, I have stayed in Barcelona and had a wonderful time commuting occassionally to Sitges.

chris,

Here is the definitive thread on Sitges (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=195567&page=4&highlight=sitges)! It is some fun reading and all the best reviews are on that Pg 4 link but you might want to skim the other 3 pages for some good links.

I hope you enjoy Sitges, though I suspect you might like more action than you can find in this little burg. You will love it for a few days! Sitges is an absolutely gorgeous, small, mediterranean city-town like you might see in a movie. You know, coffee houses spread along the boulevard fronting the sea, gorgeous Catalan men, cobblestone streets, etc. I stayed in the Hotel Subur which was inexpensive and very euro: 15 foot ceilings, a teeny bath (I had to open the shower curtain to shower as it was too little for me to move around in!), one channel TV AND a huge balcony overlooking the sea! I am sure that there would have been no charge for an extra person but I made use of .... ummmmm... the other facilities in town.

MrMan, the first week of April is over already, and Carnaval was a month ago. :confused: We had a party here with a dozen FTers.

bigjim, do you really expect people to stay 45 minutes away from a village that you "loved" with "some of the best food in Spain" just because of one experience with one hotel? I didn't say the Calipolis is as good as it gets. I said it had a good location near the one the other poster was asking about and could represent a good deal, with rooms going for 70EUR some weekdays.

As good as it gets would be the Meliá above the Marina, which is one of the nicest hotels I have stayed in ever, the new Playa San Sebastian next to the church, The Subur Maritim in the Vinyet, the Teramar on the north end of the village, and the very swank Antemare above the paseo in the Vinyet.

Woops,

Leaving in May, first week. I missed Carnival this year, was there 2 previous. Again Love Ash Wednesday in Sitges.

Anyone stay at Hotel Liberty. Wondering what (or what not) to expect.

MrMan

MrMan :)

The Hotel Liberty is a pretty nice place - it's in an old buildling right across from the train station. The guys who run it are friendly. It's a pretty quiet place (the bar closes as 10). Since everything is a 5-minute walk, it's not that important.

GKG, it's warm and sunny now. Every time I pass by a certain building on C/Espalter, some cute thing sticks his head out the window and yells, "Donde está el americano y su...buick muy grande?" Maybe you should come back? You seem to have left an impression. :)

MrMan :)

GKG, it's warm and sunny now. Every time I pass by a certain building on C/Espalter, some cute thing sticks his head out the window and yells, "Donde está el americano y su...buick muy grande?" Maybe you should come back? You seem to have left an impression. :)

:D Alan, are you sure they're not saying, "BRICK muy grande"?? :D

Thanks all for the information.

I contacted the Santa Maria, and they claimed that the construction would be over by September (but who knows how much credence to give them).

I am now torn between staying there, and the Liberty. I do not necessarily have to stay somewhere 100% gay, but certainly somewhere gay positive is a must (are there places in Sitges that aren't?). More important to me is a place that's clean, and conveniently located.

The Santa Maria is right on the beach, which I would think would make the location ideal. But since I've never been to Sitges I'm not sure.

Other than it being a true gay hotel, are there any reasons why I should consider the Liberty over the Santa Maria?

Thanks again for your help. I've already made my reservations for my time in Barcelona prior to Sitges (http://www.hroyal.com), and I would like to make my Sitges reservation soon since it's high season.

Honestly, the Liberty has nothing to recommend it above the rainbow flag over the door. It is a step down from either the Santa Maria or the Subur (which Joe mentioned above).

There are no gay-unfriendly places here.

If you want to trust the Santa Maria, go ahead - it is a good location. On the other hand, you may as well stay on the beach if you're here. The Calipolis, Subur, and Playa San Sebastian are close to the bars, on the beach, and nice (well the Subur is more clean than nice though none of our Si-Do guests there had any complaints).

Edited to add: My neighbor is a painter on that project and I just went over and asked him about it. He says he's 100% sure the outside/heavy construction will be over long before September. The downstairs tenant is expecting to be in by July. So any work that remains will be painting and interior stuff and shouldn't interfere with your stay.

alanw, thank you for all your help.


If you want to trust the Santa Maria, go ahead - it is a good location. On the other hand, you may as well stay on the beach if you're here.

I just wanted to confirm, since the way you have worded this has me a bit confused. I thought the Santa Maria was on the beach too.

Yes, it is. Sorry for the confusion. I meant stay at the beach as opposed to the Liberty, which features a breathtaking view of the train tracks. :)

GKG, it's warm and sunny now. Every time I pass by a certain building on C/Espalter, some cute thing sticks his head out the window and yells, "Donde está el americano y su...buick muy grande?" Maybe you should come back? You seem to have left an impression. :)

:rolleyes: <blushing>


:D Alan, are you sure they're not saying, "BRICK muy grande"?? :D

:mad: It was an ARCHITECTUAL ARTIFACT! ;)

p.s. Just sold the "Buick" as I am getting ready for the big move to the farm.... I told the fellow buying it that it was a 1983 Olds, blah, blah blah... turns out it was a 1985 this whole time! Hahaha! I could have gotten an extra hundred bucks for it! To keep this all on topic: those of my friends from the Sitges Do (especially the ones that watched me sit at the wrong table with the Brits at the chinese buffet) will appreciate this sidebar. I think. Anyway, it is all muy grande! ;)

:rolleyes: <blushing>
Anyway, it is all muy grande! ;)

Uh huh. :rolleyes:

Well, just be careful around tractors.

That goes for Jeff as well! ;)

alan, I am sure you would make Sitges even more popular with FTers if you promise to bring some of your co-workers, you know - those who actually show up on camera, with you. ;) :p

Guava, if that is your real name,

We don't talk about [my website] on FlyerTalk. :mad: [Feel free to send alanw a private message for more information]

Uh huh. :rolleyes:

:mad: Hey! :mad:

Well, I haven't heard any complaints! (In Sitges, I mean.....)

And you know I love you more than my luggage. ;)

alan, maybe if you post it in Spanish, like the 'muy grande ' you can get around Peter and co. ;) <<Joke, don't worry - be happy! :) >>

Am planning on coming to Amsterdam for Gay Pride in August and was thinking of planning a little side trip to Sitges. My partner would rather just stay in Amsterdam because of the "coffee shops". He likes to smoke, I like my wine/beer. I tell him that surely there is pot available in Sitges. Can anyone who knows the scene in Sitges enlighten me? How available is it? How does one go about it?

Am planning on coming to Amsterdam for Gay Pride in August and was thinking of planning a little side trip to Sitges. My partner would rather just stay in Amsterdam because of the "coffee shops". He likes to smoke, I like my wine/beer. I tell him that surely there is pot available in Sitges. Can anyone who knows the scene in Sitges enlighten me? How available is it? How does one go about it?

One walks up to ANY cute guy on the street and asks, "Tienes un porro?" It isn't illegal to possess here, though you aren't supposed to sell it.. Most bars allow you to smoke inside, though some of the more upscale ones will ask you to step outside. In my book, that beats being trapped in a coffeeshop.

Sometimes old people will make comments.

FYI, most of the cool kids are smoking hash these days. Weed is VERY 2001 :rolleyes: ;)

Hmm, I have never heard of Stiges. What is the phonetic spelling of Stiges?

Rhymes (more or less) with "peaches."

I add my vote for the Romantic, although I haven't stayed there for a couple of years.

:big sigh:

see you soon my dear alan.. looking forward to a few days relaxing..