My wife and I arrived in Barcelona from Dallas on the overnight flight. It was about 12:30 PM local time. So getting to the Hotel Continental Palacete was great. First thing you find is a historical Spain palace renewed in to a small hotel. Entering the lower street entry you are faced with getting to the 2nd floor and the main check in lobby. Two choices! Winding marble staircase or a open cage "lift" that will hold on or two people plus about 4 bags. Works fine. Some ladies were a bit hesitant to ride the slow jerky lift.
Check in was quick and friendly. Room was just down the hall. Upon entering the room my wife exclaimed "Oh it's all pink. . .I love it." It was quaint, small but very clean and we knew we would not spend much time in the room except for sleeping. . .oh yes, sleep after 14 hours of trans Atlantic travel to Barcelona to hook up with our 15 Day Royal Caribbean Voyager Of The Seas Trans Atlantic Cruise to Galveston, TX on Nov 28, 2008. So we looked forward to 2 1/2 days of exploring Barcelona. Go to bed at 2pm having just arrived in Barcelona, Spain. NO WAY! We got out and hit the bricks. Walking, looking at the most amazing Spanish architecture. Hundreds of people walking the streets at any hour of the day or night. They walk so fast if you are playing "tourist" get out of the fast lane of the sidewalks and streets.
OK. Back to the Continental Palacete. The hotel buffet is accommodating. Fresh brewed coffee on demand. Juices. A drink fountain machine for: Milk, Juice, wine (three types, red, dry white and sweet wine) There is a slide open fridge case below holding bottled water, cans of Pepsi, and some wonderful Spanish beer. All part of your all inclusive room price.
Fresh breads and cheese, 2 large toasters, 6 kinds of breakfast cereal olives, jams, spreads and more in the cool buffet. It not a dinner folks, but you will not be hungry while staying at Continental Palacete Each morning they cook a Barcelona version of eggs and bacon, ham and potatoes.
With free Internet PC in the sitting room you can keep in touch with who ever you need to keep in touch. The large high ceiling grand ball room is the place to sit and met and talk, It has 3 balconies with a small table and 2 chairs where you can sit and sip your fave 24 hours a day. . you choose. Being on massive jet lag we loved the area at 1, 2, 3, am and even found folks (including my wife) there at 4am drinking coffee, juice, wine or having a snack.
All in all. The Hotel Continental Palacete is charming and if you don't arrive with unreal expectations you will not be disappointed.
The Hotel Continental Palacete
http://www.hotelcontinental.com/web/has no roof top access. There are 3 small balconies with a table and two chairs that over look the street. . .good for drinking coffee or wine. We walked down to see the sister hotel of the Palaceta our last stay. . .it is much smaller lobby wise but some of the rooms do have balconies . . .but we spent so little time in the room. . .walking, sight seeing, dinning and sitting in the beautiful Palaceta lobby. We were both off our sleeping time zone when we arrived in Barcelona. Don't think we slept more than 3 or 4 hours the first night. We arrived on a Thursday at about 12 noon at BCN Airport. . .got to the hotel about 2 pm and hit the bricks walking. Our cruise was on a Saturday. It took about 25 min in traffic by cab to the pier. The cab will charge you for any bags over 1. Cabs are small. Think about calling ahead and get a SUV and 2 couples split the fare.
Hotel Continental Palacete
Room with DW
Hotel Lobby
We booked our DFW to BCN flight on line at Best Travel Store
http://www.bt-store.com/Barcelona is a walking city. . .
Barcelona is also the "PICK POCKET CAPITOL" of Spain. DON'T carry passports or have loose hanging bags on you. DON'T get caught in a crowd of 2 or 3 people. . .they bump you and get your purse or wallet. . .in 3 seconds and run. They ride by on bikes or motor bikes and snach off your shoulder. DON'T ride in cabs with the window fully down and your purse, bag on the sit next to you. When a cab stops at a light or in traffic. . .a thief will reach in through the window and bingo your bag or what ever is gone. Saw it happen and talked to folks who experienced some of the above. One of our fellow passengers on the cruise had rented a car. Had his bag on the seat. . .passport, euros, camera and the window down. In 5 seconds it was gone. . .thief reached in and snapped it up.
Well enough for the bad news of Barcelona. It is a great city and if an cruisers can get there a few days before the cruise. . .you will have a wonderful time.
