Where We Stayed/Dined: BARCELONA, SPAIN

Hotel:
Our last trip to Barcelona (Jun 2014) we stayed at the Eurostars Cristal Palace (http://www.eurostarscristalpalace.com/).  It was an exceptional value for quality (4 star), location (near Placa Catalunya at the top of Las Ramblas) and an easy walk to the city's old town and Gothic quarter.
The hotel is location just off the thoroughfare Passeig de Gracia, making it convenient for Hop-On/Off busses, metro and transit buses.

Restaurants:
7 Portes   http://www.7portes.com/angles/ (2 blks off Via Laietana on Passeig d'Isabel II)
Restaurante Salamanca  http://www.restaurantesalamanca.es/salamanca-main-menu-eng (Seafront in Barceloneta)
Grill Room  http://www.grupandilana.com/en  (off Las Ramblas, side street opposite Teatre Principal)

Entertainment:
Palau de la Musica Catalunya  (http://www.palaumusica.cat/en) A UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This performance center is still used today for performances.  On our last Barcelona visit, we attended a Flamenco Song & Dance show that was outstanding.  The interior of the building is gorgeous.  If you attend a performance, select seating anywhere in the center.  The sides do no have full view of the stage above the loge level.  By the way, performances are not expensive and a well worth an evening out...don't hesitate to dress up! (Casual wear is permitted, but the building is such a throwback to a by-gone era, that is hard not to get swept up in the elegance of it all!)
Palau Guell:  Near Las Ramblas and the Teatre Principal.  Well worth taking the full tour (audio headset) and admire the unique Gaudi design: both inside and outside.  After you've toured the "palace", head over to lunch at the Grill Room not too far away! (http://www.barcelona.com/barcelona_directory/monuments/guell_palace)
Food Market:  Entertainment in a very different way!  Walk around the Boqueria Market, snack at one of the many counters, or pick up a fresh fruit container cut to enjoy as you stroll around!  All your senses will be tested to the max: the fruits, vegetables, ham, cheeses and bread play havoc with your sense of smell, the beautiful displays of produce will overwhelm of your sense of sight; your hands will be to touch, the sound of vendors hawking their goods will test your sense of hearing, and tempted to no doubt, will be your sense of taste; just surrender yourself and enjoy!  http://www.boqueria.info/index.php?lang=en

Barcelona Airport to City Center:
There are plenty of taxis and the fare is between 30-40Euros and is about a half hour drive.
There is an airport shuttle bus that departs/arrives to Placa Catalunya as well as train service from the airport to Placa Catalunya (http://www.webarcelona.net/transport/transport_eng.asp)