| Today, Barcelona is a dynamic and welcoming city | | | | replicated in Barcelona. |
| which has become one of the major economic and | | | | Hotels in Barcelona are classified with a five-star |
| business centers in Mediterranean Europe. Thanks to | | | | rating system - with only the super deluxe obtaining |
| its strategic geographical location, it extends its | | | | five stars. The average vacation package deal would |
| influence over a wide area of the Mediterranean and | | | | place you in a three- or four-star hotels in Barcelona - |
| maintains tight relations with the EC market and Latin | | | | occasionally a two star - all of which should have |
| American countries. | | | | good facilities, with en-suite private bathroom and air |
| Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and is located on | | | | conditioning. A one-star hotel is less common, as |
| the coast, surrounded by the Collserola, sierra to the | | | | hostels and pensions tend to cater for the budget |
| north, the river Besós to the east and the Llobregat | | | | traveler. |
| to the west, and is less than 150 kilometers from the | | | | Hostels vary between one and three stars - often |
| Pyrenees. Located on the Mediterranean seaboard, it | | | | family-owned and run. Before the mass tourism of |
| enjoys a warm, welcoming climate, with pleasant | | | | the 60s, hostels were extremely basic but these |
| temperatures all year long. | | | | days you'll often obtain good accommodation and |
| Barcelona is a city which breathes art, contrasts and | | | | restaurants at a reasonable price. At the bottom end |
| coexistence of cultures which endow it with a magic | | | | of the scale are the cheap pensions. The best of |
| difficult to find in any other city. Important | | | | them do offer a clean, family environment at a |
| architectural works surprise visitors as they stroll | | | | reasonable price - but you'll not often get your own |
| along the streets, streets of a bustling city in which | | | | bathroom. |
| you can also find many tranquil spots and even | | | | Younger visitors and those looking for alternative |
| beautiful beaches just minutes on foot from the city | | | | forms of accommodation will find youth hostels, halls |
| centre. | | | | of residence, some of them open all year round, and |
| Since the 1992 Olympic Games, the city has had an | | | | campsites located a short distance from the city. In |
| extensive, top-quality Barcelona hotels infrastructure | | | | short, accommodation for all tastes and at prices to |
| which, together with tourist apartments, youth | | | | suit every pocket. |
| hostels, campsites on the outskirts and halls of | | | | The origins of paradores go back to 1910, when the |
| residence, comprises Barcelona’s range of | | | | Spanish Government assigned Marquís de la Vega |
| accommodations. Barcelona also offers a large | | | | Inclán the task of creating a hotel infrastructure to |
| amount of tourist apartments. More hotels are being | | | | improve Spain´s image abroad. As a result, |
| built every year. | | | | paradores can be found in converted castles, palaces |
| The hotels have their own particular styles and offer | | | | and monasteries - as well as newly-constructed ones |
| a wide range of services and comforts so that you | | | | in beautiful, unspoilt areas. |
| will feel completely at home. They all offer top-quality | | | | Barcelona is increasing its hotel infrastructure year |
| services and conscientious customer assistance, in | | | | after year. It currently has 250 hotels and 43,000 |
| accordance with European standards of quality. | | | | hotel beds. In 2004, the number of overnights rose |
| Furthermore, the quality of accommodation and | | | | to 10,100,000 and over 4,500,000 tourists visited |
| distance to venue are more homogenous in Barcelona | | | | Barcelona. |
| and Cannes' favorable booking conditions have been | | | | |