Sleeping
Posted by jbaljkoBarceló Sants
Although the Barceló Sants has the functionary look and feel of a business-class hotel, its trump card is its location. Situated directly above the central Sants train station, the four-star, 377-room hotel is the ideal place for visitors who need quick access to the city's metro lines, airport shuttles or regional and international train and bus connections.
Rooms come with the standard internet connection, hairdryer, a digital-music telephone, satellite TV, mini-bar, and air conditioning. And, despite the hum of nearby construction work on the high-speed train that will eventually link Madrid, Barcelona and France, the rooms are quiet, and the small adjacent park, L'Espanya Industrial, provides a place to soak up some sun or find a bit of solace before dashing off.
Eating
Posted by jbaljkoCiudad Condal
Strolling the main shopping areas along Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya can build up an appetite. The best way to quell the hunger pains is with some tapas at Ciudad Condal (also called Ciutat Comtal, its Catalan equivalent). The place gets swamped with business folks during lunchtime and it's often difficult to get a table outside, but its worth the wait.
The baked goat cheese with roasted red peppers and eggplant and the Russian salad will get your mouth watering for the mushroom and asparagus or the Serrano ham plates. There are also some "comfort food" stand-bys available like hamburgers and cold sandwiches if you're not in a tapas mood. By the way, this is a cervecería, which means it has lots of beer options, too. You can throw back the local brew, Estrella Damm, or a clara, which is like a shandy with beer with lemon soda, or go for the more exotic international ales from Belgium, Germany, Japan or Australia.
Eating
Posted by jbaljkoLos Caracoles
You're meandering around the Barri Gòtic when you get a whiff of roasted chicken. Curious, you follow your nose to Los Caracoles restaurant where chickens are spinning on a spit over an open fire. Artsy stain glass windows lure you inside the building, which dates back to 1835. Then, you eye the dangling legs of Iberian ham, hanging sangria jugs, rows of wine barrels and the neon sign inviting to have beer. You take the cue, pull up a chair and see what else this quirky tavern-style restaurant has to offer.
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