Citadines Ramblas Barcelona

The modern office-building vibe that this hotel first gives off isn’t exactly inspirational, which is disappointing because the hotel is situated between some great historical architecture. With marble floors, a few pieces of generic modern furniture, and a simple breakfast lounge the common spaces don’t feel meant for lingering over drinks or coffee. This makes sense, as the hotel is designed with long-term guests in mind, though the location within Barcelona's main tourist areas means couples and families will find great value here, and can save some money by cooking a meal or two on their own. The rooms are bright, contemporary, and significantly more stylish than the exterior and common areas might suggest. 

Situated directly on Las Ramblas and close to Plaza Catalunya, this hotel is right in the historic center of the city. The Aerobus to Barcelona’s El Prat International Airport is a four-minute walk from the hotel and trips take less than 40 minutes. Just behind the hotel, Plaza de Madrid holds a small park with interesting landscape architecture and leads to the Gothic Quarter. MACBA, the contemporary art museum, and the Picasso Museum can be reached in less than 15 minutes on foot, and metro stops at Plaza Catalunya and Liceu offer quick connections to the rest of the city. A Carrefour grocery store and the city’s famous Boqueria Market are across Las Ramblas, selling fresh produce and goods to stock the kitchens.

The sleek and modern rooms and apartments offer far more personality than the common spaces, with bursts of bright yellow and dark wood accenting the neutral tones. Studios and spacious One-Bedroom Apartments have hardwood floors and feature full kitchens with refrigerators, dishwashers, electric ranges, microwaves, tableware, and kettles to brew hot coffee and tea. The hexagonal tile motif in the kitchen is repeated throughout the rooms in thoughtful ways and is offset by the colorful Barcelona-centric photographs on the walls. Tile bathrooms are large, with contemporary sinks and fixtures as well as shower/tub combos (though it's worth noting that we did notice a tiny bit of dirty grout). All units have good-size flat-screen TVs, and One-Bedroom Apartments, which can fit up to four guests, feature pullout couches and a dining table. Studios (starting at 27 square meters, or just under 300 square feet) have less space, with a work desk that doubles as a dining table and an extra chair for seating. Classic Rooms are smaller (20 square meters, or 215 square feet) and lack safes and mini-fridges, though they do have iPod docks, which are lacking in the other categories. Some units have balconies facing either the courtyard or Las Ramblas; street-facing rooms may get a bit more noise. 

The small business center with two Mac stations and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel are great for business travelers who are staying here long term, though truthfully, this area of Barcelona is best for tourists. A spare, concrete rooftop terrace with lounge chairs has great views over Barcelona’s historic neighborhoods all the way to Sagrada Familia Cathedral. Babysitting services are available for families and pets are allowed. The focus on long-term stays means that rooms are only cleaned once a week, though daily cleaning services are available for an extra fee. A simple breakfast lounge overlooks Las Ramblas and provides a continental buffet in the morning, though it is not free and guests will probably find better fare in the surrounding neighborhood.