[bolderite]

I am a sucker for a new hotel -- new bathrooms, new beds. etc. Casa Camper just opend in BCN, but I know nothing about this "up and coming" neighborhood and whether I should be concerned about location.
Anyone ?

[Wilfrid1]

Raval used to be right on the border of the Barri Xines, and I suspect they are calling the entire neighborhood "Raval" these days. The Barri used to be quite grim and creepy, even in daylight, but they tore a lot of it down before the Olympics, widened some of the streets, and generally aired the place. I am guessing it's about two years since I've been, so they have probably cleaned it up some more. If you tell me what street the hotel is on, I can probably offer more advice. Personally, I have always been quite comfortable anywhere in Barcelona from the viewpoint of safety (petty theft is something else), but I think some of the backstreets in this area would be unappealing to most people after dark.

However, you may not need to use the backstreets. More info would be helpful.

[Daisy]

The last time I was in Barcelona was a few years ago, but I would not be terribly comfortable walking around the quieter portions of the Barri Xines at night. I was almost robbed there in broad daylight not so long ago. And I'm pretty street smart and have managed to navigate safely much grimmer cities solo--Lima, for instance.

[bolderite]

It is on Calle Elisabets, which turns into Santa Anna once you cross the Ramblas (as far as I can tell from the map).

[Wilfrid1]

Okay, I know Santa Ana, so I am assuming c/Elizabets is on the other side of the Ramblas. If you're no more than a few minutes walk from the Ramblas, I wouldn't be too concerned. You just don't want to be stuck up a dark narrow street right in the heart of that district. Get your bearings by day, know the main streets of the area (c/St Pau and c/Hospitallers from memory), and resist the temptation to do much exploring on that side of the Ramblas late at night (as Daisy says).

Generally, though, take great care of your belongings everywhere in Barcelona. It's not a violent city, but there is a lot of snatching of valuables these days.

If you hunt around here, there are lots of food recommendations. Welcome to the site, by the way.

[Tuckerman]

Wilfrid, on Jan 12 2005, 05:17 PM, said:

Generally, though, take great care of your belongings everywhere in Barcelona. It's not a violent city, but there is a lot of snatching of valuables these days.

I was on the beach at Barcelona and identified the theives and pickpockets in an hour. If I could do it why couldn't the police?. There is no will in that city to deal with the theives so while, as Wilfred says, you're unlikely to encounter violence, don't go out and about with large wads of cash/credit cards etc. Or make sure you're well insured.

Apart from that, it's a great place.

[LML]

Be wary about withdrawing cash from ATMs. I've been pick-pocketed twice in the area surrounding the Ramblas after doing this, but I have to admit to, a) looking like a foreigner, and b) being extremely drunk on both occasions.

Casa Camper, is part of the Camper footwear group, who managed to make orthopedic looking shoes fashionable, so I suppose the inside will look like a chiropodists.

[cabrales]

bolderite -- Relatively new (last 1.5 years) is Hotel Omm, within 1.5 blocks literally of Casa Mila/La Predrera (one of Gaudi's major works). From certain rooms (which can be requested in advance), you can see the rooftop of La Predrera. Very modern hotel. Last year, I swam in the small, but modern, swimming pool at hotel Omm and was looking right over at the undulating chimney-like structures on the rooftop of the La Predrera. Not expensive either, at under 250 euros/room. Very modern design.

http://www.hotelomm.es/

Restaurant in hotel, called Moo, was reported by a reliable traveling companion to be mediocre.

You would be within 6-8 blocks by walk of Casa Battlo, another Gaudi structure. When I visited last year, the inside was open! I had always wanted to see the inside of the first floor, where one can see the enormous glass panels from the outside.

This is such a wonderful way to spend a half-day. Also within reasonable distance of Cartier, and other stores that may be of interest.

Neighborhood for Hotel Omm is established and central.

Getting back to Casa Camper, wasn't there a recent Gourmet or Food & Wine edition emphasizing Spain. I threw mine away, but it mentions Casa Camper. Perhaps other members still have theirs.

[Wilfrid1]

LML, on Jan 22 2005, 05:11 PM, said:

Be wary about withdrawing cash from ATMs. I've been pick-pocketed twice in the area surrounding the Ramblas after doing this, but I have to admit to, a) looking like a foreigner, and b) being extremely drunk on both occasions.

This is rife in London too, so not a reason to avoid Barcelona (and I'm sure LML didn't mean to suggest it was).

[bolderite]

Cabrales-
My current reservation is at the Hotel Omm and that is where we will stay. You are right that Casa Camper was given a little write up in Food and Wine and that is how I knew it had finally opened. If Camper was a relative bargain, I would have no hesitation staying in a "transitional" neighborhood, but it is priced as if it were on the passeig de gracia (sp?).
Since we are not traveling until July, it is early yet to think about reservations in BCN, but I welcome suggestions. High on my list are Cinc Sentis, Alkimia and Abac, but I also need some more down to earth choices where we will be comfortable and welcomed as a family of four.

[cabrales]

Ask Omm for the rooms which look onto the Casa Mila aka La Predrera. We stayed in a wonderful room with that view. Furniture is nice and modern.

Gaudi's use of parabolic shapes is amazingly depicted in Casa Battlo. Not to be missed.

I think I reported on Alkimia restaurant. Very inexpensive and with a good cuisine. Close to Sagrada Familia and a quick taxi from Hotel Omm. Alkimia is not a down to earth place, but pleasant and good service. Food was very impressive, for the price. I am pretty sure you can search for my report.

At bar at Hotel Omm (in front of Moo Restaurant), you can get plates of ham (I think no better than serrano) and nibble.

I would stay at Hotel Omm if I returned to Barcelona. Second to last time, I stayed at the Hotel Arts, which is out of the way, but with nice interiors. Last time, I stayed in Hotel Omm, and that is what I liked the best.

If you are interested in Gaudi works, there are many more beyond the typical "tourist known" ones. I have nearly visited them all, for the ones around Barcelona (with one or two exceptions). Feel free to ask me questions.

[fml]

bolderite, on Jan 26 2005, 04:57 PM, said:

Cabrales-
My current reservation is at the Hotel Omm and that is where we will stay. You are right that Casa Camper was given a little write up in Food and Wine and that is how I knew it had finally opened. If Camper was a relative bargain, I would have no hesitation staying in a "transitional" neighborhood, but it is priced as if it were on the passeig de gracia (sp?).
Since we are not traveling until July, it is early yet to think about reservations in BCN, but I welcome suggestions. High on my list are Cinc Sentis, Alkimia and Abac, but I also need some more down to earth choices where we will be comfortable and welcomed as a family of four.

How old are your kids? I spent a week with my then 14 year old daughter in Barcelona in March, 2001. We'll be able to talk about it at lunch at Spice China on Friday too.

[cabrales]

bolderite -- Oh, if you are thinking of visiting Casa Calvet, the restaurant in the Gaudi building called Casa Calvet -- the place is terrible. There are certain interior partitions and lamps that are original Gaudi, and there are certain reproductions of furniture Gaudi provided. It's not worth sacrificing a meal there.

[bolderite]

I guess this is off topic but it is humorous. I thought I was losing my mind because I remembered all of these great BCN topics and the last few times I have logged on there have only been two or three. Finally realized that somehow my default is set to only the last 30 days, so none of the other 29 topics were coming up! I have found cabrales post as well as the other reviews. Sorry for appearing to be such a dunce!