What to do in Barcelona

Q: My wife and I will be disembarking at Barcelona from our cruise at 05h00 but our flight to Madrid, and onwards to Johannesburg, only leaves Barcelona at 21h00. Can you suggest a reasonably priced hotel in the vicinity of the airport where we can reserve a room as a base for the day? - John Ridgard

A: There are two airports serving Barcelona. Barcelona International Airport is only 13 kms from the city centre, but Girona Airport, which is used by some low-cost airlines, is 103kms from the city. I will assume you are travelling from the international airport. I could not find any hotels offering day rooms, so I suggest you contact a selection of the hotels below and explain your requirements. Day rooms are usually available from 8am-6pm and usually cost around 60% of the overnight rate. The three-star Renaissance Barcelona Airport Hotel (www.marriott.com) is located at the airport, with rooms from 125 Euros a night. The Hotel Ciutat Del Prat (www.ciutatdelprathotel.com) is only a kilometre away and has rooms from 95 Euros. There is also the three-star Best Western Hotel Alfa Aeropuerto (www.hotelalfaaeropuerto.com), which is located about 3kms from the airport. Rooms cost around 110 Euros a night.

However, rather than going directly to the airport, you may wish to spend your day in the vicinity of the port. The cruise liner terminals are near the foot of Las Ramblas, the city's most famous boulevard. There is plenty to see and do in this area, and a taxi to the airport should only cost you around 30 Euros. The nearest hotel to the Barcelona cruise terminals is the five-star Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel (www.eurostarshotels.com), with rooms from 190 Euros. Less expensive options in the same area include the four-star Hotel Duquesa De Cardona (www.hduquesadecardona.com) and the one-star Hotel Oasis Barcelona (www.hoteloasisbarcelona.com). However, any hotel close to the Las Ramblas would suit your purposes and there are plenty of hotels in this area. My choice would be the Hotel Gaudi Barcelona (www.hotelgaudibarcelona.com), named after Barcelona’s famous architect. A family-run hotel with rooms from 100 Euros, you should be able to negotiate a day room with the management.