We took a Mediterranean cruise in October 2011, and although we enjoyed visiting Barcelona for a few days before getting on the ship, we wanted to do something a little different when we returned. After some research and recommendations from friends, we decided on Castelldefels, which is only about 25 minutes from the cruise terminal. At this time of year it was a bit too cold to do the typical beach thing, but it was a nice place to relax for a night before boarding a plane home.
The Bel Air Hotel was surprisingly luxe for the price and its excellent location. They offered all the modern amenities, including free wi-fi and complimentary terry cloth slippers (robes too, but you can’t take them with you!). The decor was clean and contemporary. The beds were comfortable and the rooms very quiet. The service wasn’t 5-star hotel butler-style, but it was friendly and hospitable.
If you’re coming to/from the cruise terminal or airport, you can get public transportation, but to me it’s not really worth it. There’s no real direct way to get there, and if you’re lugging baggage with you, it’s going to be a lot of hassle. Spring for the taxi… it’s not too expensive and it’ll be a lot quicker.
Link to my Trip Advisor Review and others for this hotel.
Link to Trip Advisor Profile: http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/venesueca
Venesueca: Lifestyle in Review 