Ciutat de Sant Adria Hotel

This five-story hotel's exterior sets the tone for what guests will find inside, which is to say that while it's little more than a basic brick facade, it serves its purpose. Guests don't come here for the frills or the prime location, but for the budget rates that put them within reasonable striking distance of central Barcelona by using nearby public transit. Inside, the reception area is small, with just a front desk, a couple of lounge chairs, and racks of brochures and postcards. Clocks above the front desk announce the time in Barcelona, New York, and Tokyo. There's not much a social vibe here, as the hotel is primarily used as a home base for exploring, and beyond the classic cafe, there isn't really anywhere to hang out on-site. This is a simple place that attracts all types of budget-savvy travelers who don't mind the trek to the city center in exchange for saving money. 

The hotel is located in the suburban town of Sant Adria, a 20-minute drive northeast of Barcelona. It's in a quiet residential area just off of a highway, and the neighborhood has it's own small-town vibe. A supermarket is opposite the hotel, and there are several bars and restaurants in the vicinity. Guests should be prepared to drive, take taxis, or avail public transit to reach the center of Barcelona. The Artigues-Sant Adria Metro station is about an eight-minute walk from the hotel, while the tram (which runs to the Parc de Ciutadella) is a five-minute walk from the hotel. By metro, it's 30 minutes to Gaudi's famed Sagrada Familia cathedral, and 35 to 40 minutes to Plaza Catalunya, where Las Ramblas, Barri Gotic, and Passeig de Gracia are within an easy walk. Keep in mind that the metro does not run all night, so late-night revelers will need to take cabs back to the hotel. Barcelona–El Prat Airport is 40-45 minutes away by car or about 75 minutes by public transportation. 

Rooms at this hotel are small and simple, with honey-toned or gray laminate headboards and nightstands set about gray tile floors. Walls are done in pale yellow or cream hues and beds are made with dated beige or patterned bedspreads. A bit of floral art or a still life hangs on the walls to perk things up a bit. It's not the freshest look from a style perspective, though everything is at least clean and well-kept. A few rooms are more modern, if only for the lack of oak wood-veneer surfaces and black-and-white wall art. 

Amenities include flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Air-conditioning is also available, but doesn't always function as expected. Additionally, lower floor rooms are likely to pick up noise from the adjacent highway. Bathrooms are compact and a bit of a mixed bag design-wise: some are done in dated tiling while other have contemporary fixtures. Counter space is limited in all bathrooms, and they come with hairdryers, toiletries, and walk-in showers. The Matrimonial Room is a bit larger and has a queen-size bed rather than two twins. 

As a smaller budget property, features here are predictably limited. One of the nicer perks is the on-site cafe and bar, which stays open 24/7 and has a classic Spanish-cafeteria look. It's bright, with yellow walls, a tile floor, wooden tables and chairs, and windows allowing in natural light. A TV keeps guests up-to-date on the latest sports scores and the weather, and a desk is tucked into the corner with a computer for guests to use. A continental breakfast is delivered to rooms or served in the cafe, though it's not included in room rates. At other times, the cafe offers salads, sandwiches, soups, vegetables, pasta, meat, and fish. 

While there is no pool or anything like that, the hotel has bikes, video-game consoles, and laptops for rent. A no-frills and windowless meeting room can hold up to 50 people, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. An open central terrace is a sunny spot with cafe tables and chairs, and a little slide for kids to play on. Potted plants add a bit of ambience. The hotel has a pet-friendly policy, and newspapers are provided for free on weekdays. Parking is also free.