Abba Sants Hotel

A large front desk dominates the modern building’s lobby, and while a granite checkerboard floor gives the space a classic flair, its brushed chrome fixtures, light wood, and an undulating translucent wall appear mismatched. The hotel seems to put function over form, and though the lobby has plenty of contemporary and retro seating, it's not the most inviting spot for lingering and catching up. Just off the lobby, the Amalur Restaurant has a retro vibe and plenty of windows looking out onto a busy street. It draws a local crowd during the lunch hour, which adds some bustle and energy to the hotel’s main floor. While many business travelers stay here, the Abba also sees tourists and couples looking to stay outside of Barcelona’s crowded center.

The Abba is located on a busy street in the heart of Barcelona’s Sants neighborhood, in an area with a heavy concentration of shops, restaurants, and large apartment buildings. The Barcelona Sants train station -- the city’s main rail hub -- is just five minutes away on foot, as is the Sants Estacio metro stop. From there, trips around the city are simple and fast, and the metro reaches Plaza Catalunya (near La Rambla and Barri Gotic) in less than 10 minutes. The Sants neighborhood embraces its industrial past, with former factories that have been converted into public cultural destinations. Can Batllo, a performance and art space, is a 20-minute walk from the hotel, while the Espanya Industrial Park is less than 10 minutes away on foot and is great for families with kids. El Prat International Airport is a 20-minute taxi ride away and can be reached by using the Aerobus at Plaza Espanya in 40 minutes.

The hotel offers spacious Standard, Executive, and Triple Rooms that appear to be stuck between eras. Outdated oak furnishings give the rooms an early ’90s flare, while dark wood laminate floors and massive expressionistic prints of Barcelona feel fresh and modern. Some rooms have dark patterned carpeting, while all have decent queen or twin beds with simple bedding, desks, medium flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges with minibars, heavy red blackout curtains, and safes. Some of the Executive Rooms have terraces with nice views of Barcelona. Large marble bathrooms have shower/tub combos, though the fixtures look dated and some have water statins. Note that street-facing rooms can be noisy and cigarette smells can linger in some of the smoking rooms. 

The hotel's on-site Restaurant Amalur offers a continental breakfast with hot options, but it costs extra and can be expensive. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner and serves international fusion dishes. Amalur also offers a prix-fixe menu at lunch time, which attracts a lot of local businesspeople during the week. Room service is available until late in the evening, and the restaurant’s bar serves cocktails and coffees throughout the day. Although there's no spa or gym, in-room massage services can be arranged and the hotel has an agreement for discounted rates with a local gym. The 24-hour front desk can provide concierge services, including bookings for car and airport shuttle services, while picnic lunches can be arranged for excursions throughout the city. There is no on-site parking, but the hotel has an arrangement with a garage just down the block that has reserved spaces for guests at discounted rates. Six on-site meeting rooms can be divided and combined for large and small events and there is a small business center in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.