Eurostars Cristal Palace

We booked a junior suite for the family. This was located in an apartment block right next to the hotel. The room was large and well-designed, with all amenities (barring kettle; no problem for us, but if you have a caffeine addiction, there's an excellent cafe - La Rambla 31 - about half a minute's walk away; with your back to the hotel, it's to the right just after you've crossed the side street). Rather than have breakfast at the hotel we ate at the aforementioned La Rambla 31, and we strongly recommend it (ditto for a light meal). There's also a tiny 'open all hours' shop next to it for mineral water etc. The view from the hotel wasn't inspired, but there again, it's a city centre hotel - what do you expect? We ate in the restaurant on a couple of occasions and thoroughly enjoyed it - circa 20 euros a head incl some decent wine. The menu range is fairly standard 'middle of the road' stuff but our experience was that it was very well prepared. Be warned that the English translation menu isn't totally precise - 'veal' in fact was beef and 'jumbles' are scrambled eggs. Easy access to most sites if you like a short(ish) walk but to be honest, we took a taxi most days as they are cheap (and there's a taxi rank just opposite the hotel). Make sure you take a look at the sculptures on the side street by the hotel - they're new and not mentioned yet in many of the guidebooks.

Excellent experience. We were 3 of us and they have us a Suite for 180 Euros a day which could sleep 3 in 3 different beds with 2 TV's and dialup internet. It was awesome..right in the centre of town..walk away from shopping district. It was really nice.

Unique Quality: Centre of town, large rooms, excellent service.

Directions: Just tell the cab fellow "depu" "te" "si" "on" 257 and he will take you there. Its about 15 euro from the airport.

This is a good four star hotel, but not extraordinary. It is expensive, but you get value for your money. I was staying there on business, but might look for less expensive quarters on my own nickel.

Still, you are staying right on the “happening” street, Las Ramblas, in a good neighborhood, with easy access to transportation, including the metro, taxis, trains, etc. It was fun to run down to the water for an early morning jog. But I was glad I was jogging with someone else. Some strange people are about at 6 in the morning on Las Ramblas.

The bathrooms are modern, the bedrooms a bit smaller than Americans are used to, but comparable to other European hotels.

Excellent complimentary breakfast. Elegant marble and wood lobby and reception. The room we stayed in was very quiet and comfortable.

Directions: On Las Ramblas and Calle Diputación, 257