Large, clean, and modern rooms
In the historic and picturesque Born neighborhood
Near sights like the Arc de Triomf and Palau de la Música
Close to a metro stop
All rooms have private balconies
Rooftop pool and terrace
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Interior courtyard
Bar and cafe with buffet breakfast (for a fee)
Spa treatments
Fee for breakfast
No fitness center
Decor is rather bland
As of 2015, the hotel is partly under renovation
The Catalonia Born is modern, mid-range hotel in the historic Born district of Barcelona. The simple and bright hotel offers a central, conveniently located home base for tourists within walking distance of many of the city's attractions including the Arc de Triomf and the Palau de la Música. Rooms are modern, clean, and fairly large, although the style is somewhat bland and chain-inspired; all rooms have a private balcony, some larger than others. The rooftop sundeck with a small pool is a pleasant place to lounge during the afternoon siesta, and offers rooftop views of the neighborhood. There's also a low-key lobby restaurant and bar, where a daily breakfast is served for a fee.
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Scene
Simple, clean, and chain-standard, with a scenic rooftop
The Catalonia Born is a simple, bright chain hotel. In the lobby, light reflects off the white tiles and blonde wood walls to create a warm and airy space. The aesthetic of the common areas tends toward dull and corporate, though the artwork adds character: in the small sitting areas, with boxy leather sofas there are modern paintings and small ceramic statues. With its gray-and-wood tables and chairs, the lobby bar has the charm of an airport lounge, and the breakfast buffet is served in the basement cafe, accessed by a spiral staircase and the wooden tables are accented by different colored walls. By contrast, the interior courtyard is bright and pleasant, and the rooftop airy and scenic. The roof has a gray slatted deck, magenta walls, plenty of loungers, and a small pool; there are a handful of tables, as well.
Location
In the historic and central Born neighborhood, close to near the Arc De Triomf, about 20 minutes from the city center
The hotel is located among the winding cobbled streets of Barcelona's historic Born district, within walking distance of sights like the Arc de Triomf and Palau de la Música.
The center of the city is approximately a 20-minute walk, or short subway ride, away. At the city center, there are tourist attractions like the Plaza Catalunya, the Passeig de Gracia, and Las Ramblas. The Born neighborhood is quite popular, though, and there are numerous bars, restaurants, and shops around the hotel. It's a five-minute walk to the Arc de Triomf metro stop, putting the rest of the city at your fingertips.
Rooms
Spacious, clean, and bright, with bland decor and private balconies
Rooms at the Catalonia Born are simple, spacious, and warm, if bland overall. The light wood or tile floors blend well with light walls and dark wood paneling and furniture, and the hotel uses multicolored throws on beds to add more color to the rooms, which generally look straight out of the chain hotel playbook. Bedside tables and desks are wood with white marble tops, which helps keep rooms bright. Bathrooms are large enough, with marble tiles, and have either a shower/tub combination or, in higher-tier rooms, a separate soaking tub and walk-in shower. All rooms have a private balcony, but the Terraza rooms have an especially spacious one with patio furniture and rooftop views. All rooms have a minibar, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, safe, and free Wi-Fi.
Features
Rooftop sundeck and pool, interior courtyard, spa treatments, bar, and cafe with breakfast buffet
The hotel has a typically quiet hotel bar and a basement cafe that serves an extensive buffet breakfast daily, for a fee. Spa treatments can be arranged, and there's an interior courtyard with a seating area. The lobby has a few computers for guests use. While the internal common spaces are bland, the rooftop deck has views over the city, plenty of seating, and a small pool that's large enough for a quick dip, if not a proper swim. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.
