Barcelo Sants

The rather staid concrete-and-glass building atop Sants train station belies the quirky space-station theme hotel that resides inside. Black carpet with yellow, red, and silver dots leads to the large “Boarding Desk” where guests check in. Black ceilings and shiny black columns offer contrast to the white walls. White light cascades from black oval ceiling fixtures throughout the public spaces. A huge black table made to resemble the top of an oval space ship sits in the lobby with more than a dozen black-and-white chairs encircling it. A replica control panel of a space ship sits in one corner, and the photo of an astronaut encompasses an entire wall. With its large inventory of event space and train station location, this ultra-modern hotel buzzes with conference delegates, business travelers, and tourists.

The Barcelo Sants sits above the Sants railway station, the city's primary transportation hub, in the largely residential Sants neighborhood. Fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s are located in the station, and several other restaurants are about a five-minute walk away. The Parc de l’Espanya industrial park, with its lovely lake and sculptures, is a three-minute walk, and the Arena Commercial Center’s shops, restaurants, and bars are a 13-minute walk from the hotel. The noted shopping along Creu Coberta is a 14-minute walk away. From the train station, trips around the city are simple and relatively fast, with the Fira de Barcelona exhibition center about 14 minutes away. Major tourist attractions also require a train or metro trip, such as the Placa Catalunya (six-minute ride) and the Sagrada Familia (20 minutes via metro). The Gothic Quarter and Port Vell are 25 to 30 minutes away by metro. Direct trains leave the station to Barcelona-El Prat Airport every 30 minutes and take 25 to 30 minutes; otherwise the trip is a 20-minute drive.

The decor in the 378 rooms at Barcelo Sants continues the sleek, ultra-modern, and minimalist style of the hotel. Renovated in 2013, they are clean and relatively quiet. Black and bright white are used throughout the decor, with the bedding, drapes, and most walls in white, and the ceiling, chairs, and walls opposite the beds in black. Floors, desks, and small accent pieces, such as bedside tables, are light natural wood. Standard room amenities include minibars, electronic safes, magnifying mirrors, cordless phones, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are generously sized and feature an open layout some guests find lacking privacy. The all-white vanities with raised white ceramic basins are placed between the bedrooms and bathrooms, which have no doors separating them. The cubicle-like toilet and walk-in shower areas have frosted-glass doors. Guests report no noise from the train station, but guests in other rooms can be heard occasionally. 

The standard Orbital Rooms are large, measuring about 260 square feet and come in king or double-double bed options. Bathrooms in the 14 Orbital Suites are larger and have frosted glass doors separating them from the bedrooms, as well as twin vanities (not outside), walk-in showers with rainfall shower heads, and tubs. The 452-square-foot (42 square meters) suites also have separate living rooms with dining tables and four chairs, two black upholstered sofas, and additional 42-inch flat-screen TVs. Some rooms can be adjoined for family-room configurations. 

This large hotel’s amenities reflect its status as a frequent host of business travelers and conference attendees. More than 26,000 square feet of meeting space in 14 separate rooms can host events for up to 1,500 people. Guests report that the free Wi-Fi available throughout the property is strong and reliable, and the business center has Internet access and printers. Other business services are available for a fee. On-site dining choices include a breakfast buffet, lobby bar serving light fare, and a fine-dining restaurant that focuses on Mediterranean cuisine. Room service is also available. A McDonald’s and other fast-food options are available in the train station just below the hotel. The fitness center is well-equipped with cardio and weight-training equipment and includes a sauna, but guests must pay an additional daily fee to use either. Concierge and babysitting services are offered. Plenty of self-parking spaces are available, but rates are high. Free newspapers and an ATM are available in the lobby, and luggage storage facilities are available, along with valet dry cleaning and laundry services. The reception desk is staffed 24/7 and provides currency exchange.