Four Points Barcelona Diagonal, Spain [Master Thread]
Mar 24, 2016, 8:18 pm
#76
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
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I see that you're SPG Platinum, was breakfast with the better eggs not part of the fee breakfast? Can you or someone who has recently visited tell me what to expect for the fee Platinum breakfast?
Can you PM sites you normally use to find BRG rates? I'll be visiting in two months and this hotel sounds good for the value
Can you PM sites you normally use to find BRG rates? I'll be visiting in two months and this hotel sounds good for the value
Use kayak.es for BRG checks. It picks up the Spanish online travel agencies to which this property regularly seems to dump inventory. Summer rates will be much higher than winter rates though.
Mar 24, 2016, 9:50 pm
#77
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
Breakfast is fairly good. Good variety. Lots of fruit and bread / pastry options. The only "free" eggs are scrambled and not the best. Unlike many hotels, this one has lots of grilled vegetables, which my nutritionist really appreciates, if not necessarily my tastebuds! Platinums should not expect to order fried eggs for free, although I've never really thought to ask.
Use kayak.es for BRG checks. It picks up the Spanish online travel agencies to which this property regularly seems to dump inventory. Summer rates will be much higher than winter rates though.
Use kayak.es for BRG checks. It picks up the Spanish online travel agencies to which this property regularly seems to dump inventory. Summer rates will be much higher than winter rates though.
Grilled vegetables for breakfast? GREAT! I never get enough veggies while on vacation.
Are there other hot food options besides the scrambled eggs?
Can you recommend any restaurants to get paella in Barcelona?
Mar 26, 2016, 9:57 pm
#78
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
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Posts: 4,513
Thank you for the post! Looks like it's 154 Euros per night on kayak.es in May (was hoping to get a 80/90 Euro rate)
Grilled vegetables for breakfast? GREAT! I never get enough veggies while on vacation.
Are there other hot food options besides the scrambled eggs?
Can you recommend any restaurants to get paella in Barcelona?
Grilled vegetables for breakfast? GREAT! I never get enough veggies while on vacation.
Are there other hot food options besides the scrambled eggs?
Can you recommend any restaurants to get paella in Barcelona?
Mar 27, 2016, 12:10 pm
#79
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: YYJ
Posts: 2,230
one of my favorite places down on the beach in barceloneta is Cal Pinxo Platja
the restaurants in the catalunya history museum building in the same area are good as well, my favorite there being Merendero de la Mari
I like Fideua which is similar to paella except made with angel hair pasta rather than rice. Whatever you do, don't eat paella in a cafe or tapas bar with pictures of paella outside. these are usually individual industrial portions that are just reheated.
the restaurants in the catalunya history museum building in the same area are good as well, my favorite there being Merendero de la Mari
I like Fideua which is similar to paella except made with angel hair pasta rather than rice. Whatever you do, don't eat paella in a cafe or tapas bar with pictures of paella outside. these are usually individual industrial portions that are just reheated.
Mar 27, 2016, 2:37 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 146
Both places recommended by BenSenise are good. I would recommed you as a local La Barraca restaurant which is one of the best paellas in Barcelona today and also Pez Vela quite trendy next to W. Enjoy!! And dont est paella in Las Ramblas above all!!
Mar 28, 2016, 7:55 am
#81
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Simple rule of thumb is that if the restaurant is willing to serve paella for one person, then it will be garbage.
A good paella will be shared by 2 or more people and be served directly from the large paella pan it was cooked in.
A good paella will be shared by 2 or more people and be served directly from the large paella pan it was cooked in.
Mar 28, 2016, 10:46 am
#82
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
one of my favorite places down on the beach in barceloneta is Cal Pinxo Platja
the restaurants in the catalunya history museum building in the same area are good as well, my favorite there being Merendero de la Mari
I like Fideua which is similar to paella except made with angel hair pasta rather than rice. Whatever you do, don't eat paella in a cafe or tapas bar with pictures of paella outside. these are usually individual industrial portions that are just reheated.
the restaurants in the catalunya history museum building in the same area are good as well, my favorite there being Merendero de la Mari
I like Fideua which is similar to paella except made with angel hair pasta rather than rice. Whatever you do, don't eat paella in a cafe or tapas bar with pictures of paella outside. these are usually individual industrial portions that are just reheated.
W sounds like it's far to get to since it's at the beach. Do you think it's worth the trek if I can go to La Barraca? or Merendero?
Are there any other food/restaurant that I must try in Barcelona? I know it's not known for paella, but I have a craving.
Mar 28, 2016, 12:51 pm
#83
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
But stay away from the picture-restaurants, yes...
Mar 28, 2016, 3:02 pm
#84
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 146
Thank you!
Thanks for the recommendations and Fideua sounds good. I do like pasta more than rice!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barraca-barcelona - is it that one?
Yes it's that one!! No need to go to Pez Vela!!
W sounds like it's far to get to since it's at the beach. Do you think it's worth the trek if I can go to La Barraca? or Merendero?
Thanks for the tips from all to stay away from single serve and Las Ramblas!
Are there any other food/restaurant that I must try in Barcelona? I know it's not known for paella, but I have a craving.
Thanks for the recommendations and Fideua sounds good. I do like pasta more than rice!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barraca-barcelona - is it that one?
Yes it's that one!! No need to go to Pez Vela!!
W sounds like it's far to get to since it's at the beach. Do you think it's worth the trek if I can go to La Barraca? or Merendero?
Thanks for the tips from all to stay away from single serve and Las Ramblas!
Are there any other food/restaurant that I must try in Barcelona? I know it's not known for paella, but I have a craving.
Mar 28, 2016, 6:59 pm
#85
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum Pro (LT Gold), Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, National Exec,Hyatt,Melia, BA Exec, Iberia+
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Lots of seafood, escalivada, pa amb tomaquet (bread with tomato and olive oil and sea salt).
A few favorite restaurants of mine are Paco Meralgo, Lolita Taperia and Bar del Pla.
A few favorite restaurants of mine are Paco Meralgo, Lolita Taperia and Bar del Pla.
Mar 28, 2016, 8:37 pm
#86
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as an aside, do you get the meaning of "paco meralgo?" it's para comer algo, to eat something, with para shortened to "pa" kind of like we say gonna for going to.
Mar 28, 2016, 9:16 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
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Was in Barcelona last August and enjoyed a great dinner at Casa de Tapas Cañota. Not sure what the locals think of it, but the four of us loved it!
Mar 28, 2016, 10:58 pm
#88
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
I'll even try Asian food in Barcelona if y'all think it's good and different.
I'll have to look up those three you provided.
Are there any good hidden cheap eats hole in the wall type of places?
Is there a Spain version of yelp?
Mar 29, 2016, 4:42 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: AA Platinum Pro (LT Gold), Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium, National Exec,Hyatt,Melia, BA Exec, Iberia+
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I'm thinking of traditional Barcelona food. I assume seafood is good since it's by the water, but I'm open for any good food recommendations.
I'll even try Asian food in Barcelona if y'all think it's good and different.
I'll have to look up those three you provided.
Are there any good hidden cheap eats hole in the wall type of places?
Is there a Spain version of yelp?
I'll even try Asian food in Barcelona if y'all think it's good and different.
I'll have to look up those three you provided.
Are there any good hidden cheap eats hole in the wall type of places?
Is there a Spain version of yelp?
None of the three I mentioned is crazy expensive. Paco Meralgo (yep, I got the meaning, BenSenise, thanks
) is pricey for Barcelona but compared to a meal in NYC where I live, it's a good deal. I've generally spent 30-40 euros there for a meal including drinks. Lolita and Bar del Pla you can definitely do for 20-30 euros.Paco Meralgo: http://www.restaurantpacomeralgo.com/home/
Bar del Pla: http://www.bardelpla.cat/esp_bardelpla.html
Lolita Taperia: http://www.lolitataperia.com/es/
These aren't the cheapest places, but not super pricey either. There are a lot of places with "menu del dia" at lunch for 9-15 euros for a very filling meal.
For a bargain, stop by Cerveceria Catalana or the Kiosko Universal in the Boqueria market.
Mar 30, 2016, 9:56 pm
#90
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 361
None of the three I mentioned is crazy expensive. Paco Meralgo (yep, I got the meaning, BenSenise, thanks ) is pricey for Barcelona but compared to a meal in NYC where I live, it's a good deal. I've generally spent 30-40 euros there for a meal including drinks. Lolita and Bar del Pla you can definitely do for 20-30 euros.
Paco Meralgo: http://www.restaurantpacomeralgo.com/home/
Bar del Pla: http://www.bardelpla.cat/esp_bardelpla.html
Lolita Taperia: http://www.lolitataperia.com/es/
These aren't the cheapest places, but not super pricey either. There are a lot of places with "menu del dia" at lunch for 9-15 euros for a very filling meal.
For a bargain, stop by Cerveceria Catalana or the Kiosko Universal in the Boqueria market.
) is pricey for Barcelona but compared to a meal in NYC where I live, it's a good deal. I've generally spent 30-40 euros there for a meal including drinks. Lolita and Bar del Pla you can definitely do for 20-30 euros.Paco Meralgo: http://www.restaurantpacomeralgo.com/home/
Bar del Pla: http://www.bardelpla.cat/esp_bardelpla.html
Lolita Taperia: http://www.lolitataperia.com/es/
These aren't the cheapest places, but not super pricey either. There are a lot of places with "menu del dia" at lunch for 9-15 euros for a very filling meal.
For a bargain, stop by Cerveceria Catalana or the Kiosko Universal in the Boqueria market.