Lleo Hotel

Guests of Hotel Lleó will approach an older building whose exterior is showing a bit of wear and tear. Inside the lobby, there's a few remaining touches of elegance from yesteryear, like an antique mirror and table and a baby grand piano. The rest of the decor is more of a design mash-up: a blonde-wood check-in desk and bookcase holding pamphlets with info. about the city; maps on the wall and modern white sofas; a little garden of cacti and palm trees wrapped in Christmas lights. The rooftop has a small pool with terrace and chairs for relaxing.

Located on Barcelona Pelayo -- one of the city's top shopping streets -- Hotel Lleó has an enviable location compared to other three-pearl hotels in the area. It's less than a 15-minute walk to Las Ramblas and a super-short stroll east to Plaza Catalunya, with the nearest metro station less than 200 yards away. Aside from shopping, the immediate neighborhood has countless bars and restaurants to choose from. Overall, the property is an excellent home base from which to explore Barcelona with ease by foot or public transportation.

Hotel Lleó's 92 rooms are clean and comfortable with all the basic amenities expected of a three-pearl property. There's a room for travel parties in a variety of sizes, from singles to families. Each unit has a television, telephone, Wi-Fi, safe, and air-conditioning, though the latter isn’t controlled within individual rooms. Neutral colors and little artwork lead to the spaces feeling a bit bare. Bathrooms have hairdryers and, in the higher-end rooms, hot tubs. Guests will want to request a room that's been renovated at the time of booking. For those sensitive to noise, also request rooms off the first floor; otherwise, noise from the breakfast room can be heard in the morning hours.

Though there's not a lot that's over the top in the way of extras at Hotel Lleó, there are a few features guests enjoy -- namely the rooftop pool and terrace with lounge chairs, perfect for relaxing after a day of sightseeing in the warmer months. There's also a restaurant that serves breakfast (cost depends on how room was booked) and a bar/lounge serving drinks and snacks. Pool players can also take advantage of the billiard room. There's no parking on-site and no pets allowed. Wi-Fi is free, though spotty at times. Business travelers can make use of the property’s three meeting rooms, but for the most part, this is a hotel that caters to tourists.