Barcelona / BCN Arrivals Lounge?
Oct 23, 2014, 3:00 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Especially if you haven't been on their metro before. But its an easy Metro and my wife and I left most of our luggage at the great storage lockers that BCN offers. So it was really only a big backpack for me - very manageable on their trains.
Oct 23, 2014, 3:31 pm
#17
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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I stayed at the Diagonal Mar which is in the northeast near a convention center and the Diagonal Mall about two years ago. And I remember the lite rail, although the metro station was a block away that we found more convenient. Then there is the one on Diagonal, but more in the office district area about two blocks from the Maria Cristina Green (dark) line station. I found it easy to confuse the two - the one on Diagonal is now referred to I believe as the Hilton Barcelona.
Oct 29, 2014, 10:46 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
Well, kind of.
Passengers arriving from Schengen countries will in essence be arriving as domestic passengers; those arriving from non-Schengen airports will process immigration for an EU visa / entry, recover baggage and usually choose green (nothing to declare) or red (goods to declare) channels.
The Hilton Diagonal Mar is accessible to the light rail system a long block away. The property has a rooftop executive lounge and a lobby lounge. There is a mall with shopping, restaurants and supermarket across the street.
I'd be sure my companion's name is in the booking record to attempt early room access. As a registered guest, they're no longer wondering who this person is; with a credit card in your HHonors record, even better. Email bcndm.gm <at>hilton.com and let them know - best.
Passengers arriving from Schengen countries will in essence be arriving as domestic passengers; those arriving from non-Schengen airports will process immigration for an EU visa / entry, recover baggage and usually choose green (nothing to declare) or red (goods to declare) channels.
The Hilton Diagonal Mar is accessible to the light rail system a long block away. The property has a rooftop executive lounge and a lobby lounge. There is a mall with shopping, restaurants and supermarket across the street.
I'd be sure my companion's name is in the booking record to attempt early room access. As a registered guest, they're no longer wondering who this person is; with a credit card in your HHonors record, even better. Email bcndm.gm <at>hilton.com and let them know - best.
We're at the Hilton Barcelona (on Avinguda Diagonal) as others have pointed out, though I'm not sure of the GM's email there.
It appears the GMs changed a few months ago (used to be Frank Breuker) but now I can't find any info for the current one.
The best thing is for you to fly the night before and get a hotel, IMO. If check out time is noon, your friend can use the room to shower, take a nap and just decompress. I always say a real bed beats any lounge in the world.
There are a handful of very decent hotels around the airport for less than 100 euros. Check out BAH Barcelona Airport Hotel, Plaza Volatería, 3, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Spain, for example.
But does the hotel need be at the airport? Why not in the city? You can get to the airport by bus transfer, train or cab to go meet your friend up.
There are a handful of very decent hotels around the airport for less than 100 euros. Check out BAH Barcelona Airport Hotel, Plaza Volatería, 3, 08820 El Prat de Llobregat, Spain, for example.
But does the hotel need be at the airport? Why not in the city? You can get to the airport by bus transfer, train or cab to go meet your friend up.
This is the problem we're having! :P We're not sure which one would be better. Perhaps it is all a wash.
I stayed in this hotel the first time in BCN. This is a hotel that with changes you can get to using the RENFE train from BCN to Sants Estacio station, then the metro (dark green line) to Maria Cristina station. The hotel is on the other side of the street (Diagonal) and back about a block and a half. If she has a ton of luggage, better to take car service. It's in a busy office district, but you can walk or bus to plenty of things to keep her busy. If she is Hilton elite, they have a great lounge, and great tapas before going out to eat (did some say Barceloneta?) here's the flyertalk forum for the hotel which can give you information about the location. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/hilto...barcelona.html
I stayed at the Diagonal Mar which is in the northeast near a convention center and the Diagonal Mall about two years ago. And I remember the lite rail, although the metro station was a block away that we found more convenient. Then there is the one on Diagonal, but more in the office district area about two blocks from the Maria Cristina Green (dark) line station. I found it easy to confuse the two - the one on Diagonal is now referred to I believe as the Hilton Barcelona.
Which i believe is where the OP is staying. I used google maps and there isn't an easy (i.e. nonstop) public transit option. She would have to make a change.
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=B...classic&dg=brw
https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=B...classic&dg=brw
Oct 29, 2014, 11:57 am
#19
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
The Alexandra Barcelona is a great hotel if you can get into it.
Oct 29, 2014, 12:37 pm
#20
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: US CP, SPG Plat., HH Gold
Posts: 342
It is really out of the way if you are looking to do touristy stuff other than perhaps go to a Barca soccer match..
Oct 29, 2014, 1:58 pm
#21
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
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Posts: 62,948
As this is less about American Airlines and more about BCN and Barcelona, we'll soon bel moving this to the proper destination forum.
/Moderator
/Moderator
Nov 16, 2014, 2:33 pm
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
Hilton Barcelona was okay, though I'll be there again this weekend, and I booked an NH Hotel near Las Ramblas. Hard to get between Hilton Barcelona and airport unless you want to cab (which is what we did).
Mar 24, 2015, 4:50 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Delta, GM; HHonors, Gold
Posts: 258
HELP! Arrival in Barcelona
Hi all!
Next week I'm flying in business on AA #66 JFK-BCN. We are arriving at 7:15 a.m. and cannot get into our room until noon. Are there any arrivals lounges that may be available to us as we're flying business class that might have food, showers, etc? Thank you!
Next week I'm flying in business on AA #66 JFK-BCN. We are arriving at 7:15 a.m. and cannot get into our room until noon. Are there any arrivals lounges that may be available to us as we're flying business class that might have food, showers, etc? Thank you!
Mar 24, 2015, 7:46 am
#24
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: US CP, MR Gold, SPG Gold, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 441
Do you have status with the hotel where you are staying? Looking at your profile I assume you're staying at a Hilton. My experience with hotels in the EU is that if there are available rooms then they are pretty good about letting into your room early. Worst case you go to the hotel and leave your bags at the front desk and bump around Las Ramblas for a little bit.
Worst worst case and you absolutely need a room and a shower, you can email the hotel and book a room for the night before to ensure that there is a room for you the morning you arrive.
Go Gators
Mar 24, 2015, 8:13 am
#25
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York
Programs: AA EXP 1.0mm, not sure where I am with hotels these days
Posts: 2,795
Nothing land side unfortunately. There are lounges with showers but they are all airside and when you arrive in BCN you are immediately dumped into immigration, then baggage claim, then taxi stand.
Do you have status with the hotel where you are staying? Looking at your profile I assume you're staying at a Hilton. My experience with hotels in the EU is that if there are available rooms then they are pretty good about letting into your room early. Worst case you go to the hotel and leave your bags at the front desk and bump around Las Ramblas for a little bit.
Worst worst case and you absolutely need a room and a shower, you can email the hotel and book a room for the night before to ensure that there is a room for you the morning you arrive.
Go Gators
Do you have status with the hotel where you are staying? Looking at your profile I assume you're staying at a Hilton. My experience with hotels in the EU is that if there are available rooms then they are pretty good about letting into your room early. Worst case you go to the hotel and leave your bags at the front desk and bump around Las Ramblas for a little bit.
Worst worst case and you absolutely need a room and a shower, you can email the hotel and book a room for the night before to ensure that there is a room for you the morning you arrive.
Go Gators
Edit - if it is the Hilton Mar, you may be able to change into swimming gear and use the pool if the temperature is acceptable. I can't remember if there are showers there or not.
Last edited by george 3; Mar 24, 2015 at 8:15 am Reason: Additional info
Mar 24, 2015, 10:37 am
#26
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,422
There was a thread with the exact same question a couple months ago; I'll see if I can find it.
Was in BCN twice last year. No lounges. You can take the train into town but you need to take the inter-terminal bus over to the station and then walk across a long bridge to the station. Not bad if you have small luggage. But, it all depends on where you are staying.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Barcelona#Get_in
FYI: on the way back, if you want to do any shopping do NOT go through passport control. All the shops are in the Schengen area and you cannot go back.
Was in BCN twice last year. No lounges. You can take the train into town but you need to take the inter-terminal bus over to the station and then walk across a long bridge to the station. Not bad if you have small luggage. But, it all depends on where you are staying.
http://wikitravel.org/en/Barcelona#Get_in
FYI: on the way back, if you want to do any shopping do NOT go through passport control. All the shops are in the Schengen area and you cannot go back.
Mar 24, 2015, 10:45 am
#27
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
As this question isn't pertinent to any particular airline, we have it in the destination forum (airport question).
JDiver
Senior Moderator
JDiver
Senior Moderator
Feb 25, 2020, 1:34 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Spain
Programs: ALL Plat, HH Gold, Marriott GE
Posts: 1,142
Just a bump on an old thread.
Has anything changed ? ie, is there an arrivals lounge at BCN ( as last post was a good few years ago. )
If there is not, its straight to a hotel.
Thanks in advance
Has anything changed ? ie, is there an arrivals lounge at BCN ( as last post was a good few years ago. )
If there is not, its straight to a hotel.
Thanks in advance
Feb 25, 2020, 9:19 am
#30
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Spain
Programs: ALL Plat, HH Gold, Marriott GE
Posts: 1,142