12is12 Posted December 24, 2023 Posted December 24, 2023 Where do u guys stay when visiting? How do u get to the sauna? Metro? Uber? Thx (-: Mavica 1 Quote
speedoo1 Posted December 25, 2023 Posted December 25, 2023 Eixample. Bus or walk Marc in Calif and Axiom2020 2 Quote
12is12 Posted December 25, 2023 Author Posted December 25, 2023 Thx I meant names of rcmndd hotels. Quote
jensplatta Posted December 25, 2023 Posted December 25, 2023 There are plenty of hotels nearby. The closest ok hotel is probably called Villa Emilia - 150 metres but speedo1 was right anything in Eixample neighbourhood should be very walkable (such as Casanova 10, again Ok, or if it Is your cup of tea Axel Hotel but plenty of options with ample price range available - more on the boutique side). Hotels near Plaza de Espana such as the intercontinental are probably 15 minutes walk away while hotels in Gracia and Las Ramblas are 20 or 25 minutes walk away. Taxis in Barcelona are very cheap. You can use FreeNow or hail them in the street which I always do (safe and easy). For instance a taxi from the Hilton (Las Corts) which is not very close is less than 10 euro while a ride from Gracia is 6 to 7 euro (Curio Alexandra or Mandarin Oriental). If you want to use public transport, there is a metro station 150 metres away - Rocafort on Line 1. Due to the relatively central/easy to get to location, I honestly would not chose a hotel just on proximity to Thermas except that I intend to invite one of the guys to the hotel room. In terms of recommendation, It would be handy to know if you have loyalty with any hotel chain or price range. vinapu, floridarob and Marc in Calif 3 Quote
Chucky Posted January 3 Posted January 3 I always stay at Leonardo Gran Via hotel, it's about 5 mins to the sauna walking, and same distance to many of the bars etc in Eixample Connordrick and Alex_Berl 2 Quote
Marc in Calif Posted January 4 Posted January 4 On 12/25/2023 at 2:51 AM, 12is12 said: Thnk u VERY much (-: It's important to remember that there are two principal sections of the Eixample neighborhood. Thermas is at the southern edge of what's called the "left" section: the "gayborhood" of Barcelona. So to be really close, you want L'Esquerra de l’Eixample (Catalan meaning "left"). More specifically, the blocks in which Thermas is located is La Nova Esquerra de l'Eixample (Catalan meaning "new left"). The other part of the Eixample is the "right" section. La Dreta de l'Eixample ("right") is pretty big, with hotels that can be very far from your gay destinations. But as long as your hotel is close to the Metro L1 line, however, even the right section won't be a problem. As @jensplatta said, the Rocafort station is on Metro L1 and is just around the corner from Thermas. Ride-share services will also take you to Thermas. jensplatta 1 Quote
xpaulo Posted January 4 Posted January 4 On 12/25/2023 at 3:48 AM, jensplatta said: I intend to invite one of the guys to the hotel room. I was at Axel 2 in early December, had a guy from Thermas over in mid-afternoon. The guys at the desk didn't pay any attention. I should add I needed their help to deal with some urgent paperwork and they took care of it, so I was grateful for that. Quote
Members Riobard Posted January 4 Members Posted January 4 On 12/24/2023 at 6:30 PM, 12is12 said: Where do u guys stay when visiting? How do u get to the sauna? Metro? Uber? 1) a hotel room; hotel apartment with kitchen amenities; or Airbnb fully equipped apt, registered with the city as the licensing rules are strictly enforced, as regulations should be. 2) by foot; Metro if needed including linked tram extension, as I have liked staying in different areas. I use Über a lot elsewhere but have had no occasion to need it or taxi. I take the Metro as opposed to Express bus for airport transit. At times I have mixed and matched. You can get a hotel apartment further afield for X amount, often even with interesting sights less travelled by the average visitor, and travel downtown just relaxing or reading on the subway and/or tram, or considerably more for lodgings equivalency downtown, in my case trending at 2 or 2.5 times X amount, that might be more convenient for hosting. Over a decade I have only branched out to ad-based more recently. Marc in Calif 1 Quote
jensplatta Posted January 4 Posted January 4 11 hours ago, xpaulo said: I was at Axel 2 in early December, had a guy from Thermas over in mid-afternoon. The guys at the desk didn't pay any attention. I should add I needed their help to deal with some urgent paperwork and they took care of it, so I was grateful for that. As a frequent visitor to Barcelona for more than 15 years, in my experience no hotel of any decent size will care if you are having visitors or not. Catalans make a point of those things not being their business. While I agree both hotels are very handy for "meetings", at times, Axel and Axel2 charge ridiculous rate for what they are so I would not be worried about bringing people over at other places. Marc in Calif 1 Quote
Marc in Calif Posted January 5 Posted January 5 11 hours ago, jensplatta said: Axel and Axel2 charge ridiculous rate for what they are so I would not be worried about bringing people over at other places. Absolutely correct! I think the Axels rest on their reputation as the most famous ("infamous"?) gay hotels in Barcelona. There's nothing special about them other than the fact they're cruisy and friendly inside and out, especially at the pool, spa, sauna or jacuzzi. A stay at an Axel hotel probably works best for those visitors who are too shy or afraid to venture very often to other parts of the city -- or even other parts of the Eixample. jensplatta 1 Quote
12is12 Posted January 5 Author Posted January 5 Axel 2: behind the 4.3 stars reviews, there r a lot of off-putting reports; especially about AC, thin walls and brkfst. Marc in Calif and jensplatta 2 Quote
Members sydneyboy1 Posted January 9 Members Posted January 9 To answer the original question I stay at the Olivia Balmes hotel and get a taxi. Plentiful and cheap. Marc in Calif 1 Quote
Members pauleiro Posted January 9 Members Posted January 9 Uber can be used in Barcelona. Metro is also an option, particularly during the week end since metro operates until 2 am on friday nite and non stop on saturday nite. Personnally, I tend to try to find a good deal on booking or trivago in a large hotel close to a metro, preferably on line 1 or line 3 Marc in Calif 1 Quote
Members Cany10011 Posted January 11 Members Posted January 11 On 1/5/2024 at 4:22 AM, 12is12 said: Axel 2: behind the 4.3 stars reviews, there r a lot of off-putting reports; especially about AC, thin walls and brkfst. I've only visited the rooftop bar at the Axel and it was nice, but it looked like the hallways were very dark. I stayed at the Mandarin Oriental and it was a nice 20 minute walk. Quote
speedoo1 Posted January 11 Posted January 11 Barcelona hotels (and Airbnbs) have become very expensive post-Covid. Unfortunately. Quote
12is12 Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 That one hasnt become. Its a 5 star hotel; $480 per night. Quote
Members Riobard Posted January 11 Members Posted January 11 2 hours ago, 12is12 said: Thx, but it's way TOO expensive for me )-: We all have our price limits. But you are also asking about guest privileges when the differential between Thermas and out-call rates is quite pronounced. So you are juggling choices among accommodations central vs outskirts, accommodations quality level (often better dollar for dollar further afield), tolerance for commute (bearing in mind Thermas peak hours won’t lead to being stranded outside subway hours), Thermas escort rates vs out-call, and to add to that, many ad-based guys can host (in-call). Midday fixed price meals are often excellent deals, leading up to Thermas entry, and I eat light at night anyway so an early night is typical. Even the typical late evening dinner playbook won’t result in missing the subway deadline. I wonder about peculiar hysterical chucklehead trolls and their capacity to organize transit; there may be a trend in which they are inclined to steer your choice to a confined area. It’s hard to manage multi-tasking when afflicted with communal narcissism masquerading as helpfulness. I am not pushing for any particular model and everybody has their own unique version of a satisfactory trip. My bottom line is that I must have a one-bedroom (enclosed separate BR) dwelling and kitchen facilities. That is not required or feasible for many. They are often unavailable and booked solidly months ahead, even if expensive. The way Barcelona is laid out, outskirts zones are (as the crow flies, or via Metro routes) often only a few kilometres distant. I have found that many local hosts recommending specific travel routes to their guests are not really up to speed on actual geographical dimensions. They may look at a subway map but assume that a set number of stations represents composite distance; that is not the case. My upcoming visit apartment (Booking dot com) is under 75 Euros. I couldn’t get the pricier one I have previously liked a few minutes walk from Espanya. Quote
Members Riobard Posted January 11 Members Posted January 11 2 hours ago, speedoo1 said: Barcelona hotels (and Airbnbs) have become very expensive post-Covid. Unfortunately. Not long before COVID Barcelona enforced strict rental platform licensing. It drove down inventory that naturally inflated prices. The city is not fooling around. The license code must be on a listing. Inspectors, a few dozen, armed with apps to track and find attempts at illicit listings. Quote
Members young11 Posted January 13 Members Posted January 13 Barcelona hotels are very expensive these days. Barcelona is one of a few places on Earth I find using points can be very rewarding. So if you have some points at hotel chains explore that option as well floridarob 1 Quote
Connordrick Posted January 13 Posted January 13 On 12/24/2023 at 6:30 PM, 12is12 said: Where do u guys stay when visiting? How do u get to the sauna? Metro? Uber? Thx (-: Hi @12is12 found a good stay? My pick: I visit Barcelona 2-3 times/year, love it there. My Favorite provider used to live there so I went there quite often . No Airbnb for me. Eixample hotels work best—close to all needs, lovely area with ATMs and good food. Top 3/ 3 starts hotels: Hotel Soho, Gran Via Leonardo, Casanova. 2nd choice: Sunotel Central/ Villa Emilia and of course: Axel and Two solid, Axel in nice area. Checked November 2024 prices and they are really good Axel's clean, friendly, not a cruising hotel. Complementary rooftop drink. Of course you can find higher-end hotels 4 stars and up. I walk, taxi, or use Cabify everywhere. good luck Marc in Calif 1 Quote
