Barcelona Accommodation: Absolut Centro is absolutely central and absolutely wonderful

You’re headed to Barcelona for a few days and while you probably won’t end up sleeping too much at night you do need a place to store your stuff and call home base. While there are a ton of options in this vibrant, exciting and sometimes expensive city finding a reasonably priced room within walking distance from La Rambla (the main tourist street leading to the pier), several metro shops and smack dab in an area full of lively clubs and relaxing cafes can be difficult. But it doesn’t have to be any longer.

view from the street

On several trips to the coastal city I have called “Absolut Centro” home. Actually comprising two locations about 2 blocks from each other this practically perfect accommodation choice has the location (absolutely central), the right price and the hospitality budget travelers look for but don’t always get. Now, we’re not talking 4 stars but we certainly aren’t pushing dorm room hostel stays either. This 2 star choice has 12 rooms all-together and many of them include balcony views and can accommodate 1-4 people. The beds are comfortable and the shared bathrooms are clean.

Jordi, who runs the place, has consistently been very helpful when I’ve asked for directions or needed some extra sheets. About two years ago I even arrived without a reservation and with his own place full for the night, good old Jordi made a few phone calls and set me up in a friend’s rental apartment! Just this last summer I arrived with my Dad, who had never been outside the US, and within minutes we were shown to our room and made to feel at home with the keys to the front door as well as our room.

La Ramblas

As anyone knows who has been to Barcelona; the closer you get to La Rambla or the main tourist area the more the accommodation will cost you. “Absolut Centro” is located in the beautiful modernist area known as El Quadrat ‘d Or or the Golden Quarter of the L’Eixample. Being located directly on La Rambla aside, this is about as central as you can get. The Barcelona hotel is just two blocks from the Universitat metro station and within walking distance to several Anton Gaudi buildings, some great places to eat, Placa de Catalunya and wonderful places to shop. There are even several grocery stores nearby and an inexpensive internet café. Jordi can point all these out for you. When it’s late at night and you’re stumbling home from my favorite bar, El Aguelo down by the coast your bed is never too far to walk.

For those of you who are more familiar with Barcelona you may recognize L’Eixample as being known as the Gay district of the city. Not to worry however, at most this means, to the straight crowd, trendy café’s, well dressed locals and passing by the occasional “bear bar”. For the Gay folks, this hotel is located within easy walking distance to the most popular gay bars, stocked sex shops and discrete saunas.

Look for this door

For more information and to book your stay you will want to check out www.absolutcentro.com . Here you can find a few more pictures and a map of the location as well as send in your booking request. Like many hotels or hostels in Europe; the gems are not to be found on the big booking sites but take reservations directly through their own sites.

Enjoy your stay in Barcelonaand tell Jordi Chris recommended “Absolut Centro.”

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