Abba Rambla Hotel

Housed in a plain yellow building in the popular El Raval neighborhood, the Abba Rambla Hotel attracts couples, families, and business travelers alike. There isn’t much happening on-site due to the fact that the property is low on features, but it is a decent pick for those who only need a clean place to sleep with all the basics. The lobby is spacious but a tad plain, furnished with generic contemporary decor that combines dark-wood paneling, recessed lighting, and beige tiled floors. A fluffy red rug, conical lamps, and the combination of chocolate-brown and cream-colored seating lend the lobby bar a slightly more modern feel, while large arched windows let in lots of natural light. There is a small outdoor space with a few tables and chairs, but it is sandwiched between tall walls and doesn’t feel inviting.   

Abba Rambla Hotel is located on Rambla del Raval, a tree-lined boulevard housing casual cafes and bars in El Raval neighborhood. The area is undergoing gentrification, and new, trendy shops, restaurants, and apartment buildings pop up every month, but some areas still feel a little scruffy. There area is best-known for being home to the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) and La Boqueria Market, each located about a five-minute walk from the hotel. Las Ramblas boulevard, the Liceu opera house, and Liceu metro station are all less than 10 minutes away on foot, as is the popular Gothic Quarter, chock full of historic buildings, shops, and cafes. Sagrada Familia Cathedral and La Barceloneta Beach can each be reached in about 25 minutes by metro. Barcelona-El Prat Airport is around a 20-minute drive from the hotel. 

The hotel has 49 rooms, all decorated in a simple, contemporary style that combines laminate floors, blond-wood furniture with clean lines, and white walls. Although rooms won’t get awards for style and design, they’re all comfortable and well-equipped, featuring flat-screen TVs with international channels, minibars stocked with four big bottles of water, and air-conditioning. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and seems to be reliable in rooms. Starting at 183 square feet, Standard Rooms are compact, but tall closets, long windows, and straight lines add some visual space. A handful of rooms offer a little bit more space and can fit a cot, but still feel cramped with three guests. Bathrooms are designed in a traditional style, with dark green and cream-colored marble-like tiles, big shower/tub combos with glass screens, and older wall-mounted hairdryers. Shower gel and shampoo are provided in a single large dispenser on the wall, and extras such as toothbrushes, sponges, and combs are also available in all rooms. A few rooms have a small unfurnished balcony with street views. 

A varied, tasty breakfast buffet with an array of hot and cold continental options is served every morning in the bar located off the lobby. Breakfast is not included in the basic rate, but it can be added to the bill on arrival or charged to the room. The lobby bar also offers a long list of drinks and a few small nibbles, but the hotel lacks a full restaurant. Parking in the area can be challenging, as streets are narrow and there are parking meters throughout the neighborhood, however, the hotel offers discounted rates at the adjacent parking garage. In-room massages are provided by a third party and can be booked at front desk for a fee.