Stay at the Rey Juan Carlos. Lovely place. I've stayed there a few times including once a few months ago when I went out there for the Barcelona v Real Madrid game. When I got there the hotel was surrounded by police and press. I thought a bomb had gone off... turns out I had booked the same hotel as the Real Players were staying in! I was in reception when they are went past before the game but my camera wouldn't work
You may recognise this geezer though from the earrings!
make sure you see the Catherdral and all the other Gaudi shite... its quite interesting actually. Port Olympique is where its at later in the evenings.