When a work trip took me to Ireland in November 2019, I couldn’t resist a solo weekend getaway to visit friends in Barcelona. Barcelona is a place I have visited before, but I have not spent much time in the city. Its modern attractions from food to art have long inspired me to return, and this time was no different.
For vacation packages on both solo trips and trips with companions, I have been using Costco Travel (which is a fabulous resource, by the way — more on this in a later post!). The NH Collection Barcelona Podium surfaced as one of the hotel options for a weekend trip. I love the variety of package options and discounted rates that Costco Travel offers, which often include meals and ground transportation to and from the airport (at least the ones I have used for travel within Spain).
NH Collection Barcelona Podium attracted me because of its price, location, and amenities. While traveling, I look for hotels that offer affordable meal choices (breakfast was included in the rate for my stay each day, and there was an affordable restaurant on site), gyms, and close proximity to local transportation and attractions I want to visit. Usually a hotel in the city center is key, but these can be expensive. So when Costco Travel offered up the option to stay at NH Collection Barcelona Podium for a decent price including breakfast each day and ground transportation to and from the airport, I couldn’t refuse!
Here is a quick list of the things I enjoyed the most and least about the hotel:
Pros:
Breakfast was included in my rate each day;
The hotel is within walking distance to the Arch of Triumph (“Arco de Triunfo” in Spanish or “Arc de Triomf” in Catalan), many shops, restaurants, and local transportation;
The hotel restaurant has a fabulous selection of Spanish and other red wines from around the world; the hotel restaurant offers the typical Spanish "menu of the day” (“menú del día” in Spanish), which is an economical way to eat in Spain because it includes a drink, first and second courses, and dessert for a flat fee typically advertised upfront (including tax!);
The hotel is clean;
The hotel offers laundry service (always a plus when traveling light!); and
The hotel staff is extremely friendly and willing to help with directions, transportation, etc.
Cons:
I found the walls to be very thin, so noise was a concern here and there. However, it did not interrupt my activities or sleep.
The hotel seems to host large groups and events, which may make grabbing breakfast in the morning challenging during peak hours due to the volume of people who stay at the hotel.
Overall, as a female solo traveler (this time around), I would highly recommend a stay at the NH Collection Barcelona Podium. It’s price, food, and location do not disappoint!
Do you consider travel to be a form of self care? Leave us a comment!
All opinions are my own, and I received no compensation for sharing them.
First image above: Shutterstock.
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