Barcelona and Madrid

dragonfly!

Hi there
I am heading to Barcelona and Madrid for 2 nights each in February as a present to myself to celebrate a Big Birthday
Would anyone recommend a hotel / area to stay in?
With the occasion thats in it I dont mind spending a bit more for a bit of luxury
TIA!

holystungun9

As it’s summer now, a good hotel is well worth it. It’s hot hot hot so when you come back to the hotel you will want some nice air Conditioning running and a good cool shower. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you’re here and out and about.
I know both cities pretty well and being “central” will cover your needs. So in Madrid, Sol/Gran Vía are your reference points and Plaza de Catalunya in BCN. So whatever balance of price and distance from these places works for you.
If in Madrid the heat is getting to you but you want to be out, you MUST go the El Retiro park. Just walk there, take a big towel from the hotel, and get under the trees behind the crystal palace. Nice to relax and people watch.
In BCN, go to the beaches in the evening (I mean relaxing wise, during the day if you can stick the sun). Sea breeze is nice.
Lastly and sadly, watch your belongings, it breaks my heart when I see tourists daydreaming and gawking around and their phone or wallet get jacked.

NIMAN

OP is going in February.

Would second the point about pickpockets, these 2 cities are bad for them late at night.

I was done in Madrid and a friend in Barcelona. They prey on drunk tourists especially, which I was at the time!

holystungun9

NIMAN wrote: »

OP is going in February.

Would second the point about pickpockets, these 2 cities are bad for them late at night.

I was done in Madrid and a friend in Barcelona. They prey on drunk tourists especially, which I was at the time!

February??? Jaysus, sorry OP. I got a bit excited and missed that. Forget the Air Con. Location stuff still stands but throw a small brolly into your bag though. It could be fine or lashing.

fricatus

holystungun9 wrote: »

As it’s summer now, a good hotel is well worth it. It’s hot hot hot so when you come back to the hotel you will want some nice air Conditioning running and a good cool shower. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you’re here and out and about.
I know both cities pretty well and being “central” will cover your needs. So in Madrid, Sol/Gran Vía are your reference points and Plaza de Catalunya in BCN. So whatever balance of price and distance from these places works for you.
If in Madrid the heat is getting to you but you want to be out, you MUST go the El Retiro park. Just walk there, take a big towel from the hotel, and get under the trees behind the crystal palace. Nice to relax and people watch.
In BCN, go to the beaches in the evening (I mean relaxing wise, during the day if you can stick the sun). Sea breeze is nice.Vía.
Lastly and sadly, watch your belongings, it breaks my heart when I see tourists daydreaming and gawking around and their phone or wallet get jacked.

I know Madrid and this is all great advice. If you can’t stay near Sol/Gran Vía, then second best is to stay as close as possible to a metro station on any of the lines 1-5, as few stops as possible from Sol, Callao or Gran Vía.

Good alternative areas IMO are near Argüelles, Moncloa, Serrano, Bilbao and La Latina metro stations.

dragonfly!

Thanks guys!
Hoping to get this booked over the coming days