This year’s EPT Barcelona is taking place from August 21 to September 3 at Casino de Barcelona in the buzzy resort area of Port Olimpic. Huge numbers are expected after last year’s record-breaking field; the 2022 EPT Barcelona was the biggest Main Event in EPT history with 2,294 entries – more than ten times the 229 players who attended the very first EPT Barcelona back in 2004.
Giuliano Bendinelli (pictured) came back from one big blind to win 2022 EPT Barcelona Main Event for €1,491,133.
Barcelona hotel prices often soar in summer but MainEventTravel has got the low-down on some great options for you. These hotels not only offer great value but are also conveniently located from the Casino venue.
Below are details for five Barcelona hotels that we’re recommending to EPT players.
A reminder on dates: the £5,300 buy-in Main Event will get underway on August 27 with the first of two starting flights. The final day of the six-day tournament is on September 3.
Kelly Saxby, MET Retail Sales & Marketing Consultant, said: “EPT Barcelona is definitely one of the stand-out events of the year and this year looks set to be the biggest yet. Barcelona is a dream destination for poker players: it’s a fantastic, vibrant city with tons going on when you’re not at the tables. There’s fabulous architecture, great shopping, amazing cuisine, and a lively nightlife scene. Plus the Port Olimpic venue is next to the beach with loads of beachside bars and restaurants right on your doorstep.”
ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell
The ibis Styles Barcelona City Bogatell is just a short 15-minute walk from the Casino de Barcelona and a popular choice with poker players. There’s a lovely rooftop pool with views right across the city. Plus there’s free WiFi throughout the hotel. There’s no formal restaurant for dining but the hotel lays on a buffet breakfast and there’s also a bar by the pool offering tapas and a tasty snack menu. The front desk operates 24/7, with 2pm check-in and noon check-out. You can rent bikes at the hotel too which will enable you to whizz down to Port Olimpic in no time. Barcelona’s amazing city centre is just a couple of metro stops away.
Best 4 Barcelona
The Best 4 Barcelona is a relatively new hotel located in the dynamic and up-and-coming neighbourhood of Poble Nou and close to the local “Rambla”. With a restaurant serving local cuisine, a stylish cocktail bar, a fitness area with steam baths and sauna, plus parking at €15/day, it’s a great choice for EPT Barcelona players. You’re ideally located for the beach (just six minutes’ walk to Bogatell Beach) and it’s about 17 minutes’ walk to Casino de Barcelona. All the bright, air-conditioned rooms have flat-screen satellite TV, tea and coffee makers, and there is also room service plus free WiFi throughout the hotel. Reception is open 24 hours a day with 3pm check-in and noon check-out. Best 4 Barcelona also offers bicycle rental – a great option for getting to/from the casino.
Hotel Santa Marta
The two-star Hotel Santa Marta is ideal for anyone who wants the best of both worlds – to be staying somewhere that’s walking distance from Casino de Barcelona, but is also close to all the atmosphere of Barcelona city centre. The Santa Marta – part of the Hoteles Gargallo chain – is located right on the edge of the popular Born area and the thriving barrio of Barceloneta as well as the famous Gothic quarter and lovely Ciutadella Park. The hotel has a bar-cafeteria serving buffet breakfast and there are also vending machines with food and drinks. There’s free Wi-Fi and 24-hour reception with early check-in from 10am and late check out until 2pm (both subject to availability). It’s an 18-minute walk to the Casino.
Hotel Lyon
The Hotel Lyon – also part of the Hoteles Gargallo chain – is a great option if you want to keep your accommodation costs down. Located right opposite Barcelona-Estació de França train station, it’s also close to the Gothic Quarter, the Born and Barceloneta barrios and the harbour – and still only 18 minutes’ walk to the Casino. This small city hotel is a simple but well-maintained property which offers excellent value for money. The rooms are quite basic but clean and well-kept and all feature en-suite bathroom, flatscreen TV, air-conditioning and free Wifi. There are vending machines with drinks and snacks plus guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast at the Lyon’s sister hotel, the Santa Marta just two minutes away. The front desk is open 24/7.
Park Hotel
If you’re after something a bit more upmarket, the three-star Park Hotel offer fabulous accommodation in a historic building located right in the heart of the trendy Born area of Barcelona. The hotel has a great rooftop pool affording views across the city and is also a superb location for foodies - the hotel’s Ten's Tapas restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional and modern Spanish tapas created by Head Chef Jordi Cruz. The stylish rooms all have flat-screen TV, free Wifi, room service, mini bar and laundry service. There’s a breakfast buffet and reception is open 24 hours a day. A real bonus for poker players is that early arrival and late check-out are offered at no extra charge, subject to availability. It’s just a 20-minute walk to the Casino too!
Photo Credit: PokerStars