Prices are for a double room, including tax and service.

Hotels in the Gothic Quarter and along the Rambla are convenient for sightseeing and have plenty of charm but, with notable exceptions, may be somewhat less lavish than some of the newer complexes out west on the Diagonal. Many Eixample hotels are set in late-19th- or early 20th-century town houses, often Moderniste in design, and offer midtown excitement and easy access to all of Barcelona. The Ritz, the Claris, the Majestic, the Condes de Barcelona, and the Colón probably best combine style and luxury with a sense of where you are, while the sybaritic modern palaces such as the Arts, the Rey Juan Carlos I, the Hilton, and the Princesa Sofía cater more to business travelers seeking familiarity, convenience, and comfort. Smaller hotels like the San Agustín and the Mesón Castilla are less than half as expensive and more a part of city life, though they may also be noisier and less luxurious.

Bargains are scarce in Spain these days, but room rates are negotiable if the hotel is not full. Business travelers may get a 20%-40% break. Faxing for reservations may also get you a better rate than calling. Ask about weekend rates, which are often half price.