In trendy El Raval, a short walk from Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas
Basic, simple rooms with flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, and safes
Some rooms have balconies with nice city views
Breakfast buffet with hot and cold items (fee)
Rooftop terrace with hot tub and lounge chairs
Computer desk in lobby
Free Wi-Fi and newspapers
Surrounding nightlife can be noisy at times, especially in front rooms
No meal service besides breakfast
Wi-Fi can be spotty
Some rooms have undesirable views
The 40-room Hotel Ciutat Vella is a budget property with an excellent city-center location a short walk from Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. Its rooms are simple and basic, but they come with flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and safes -- some have balconies with nice city views. A breakfast buffet is served daily in the lobby for a fee, but there's no other meal service on-site. The rooftop terrace with lounge chairs and a hot tub is a popular place for hanging out and taking in views of the city. Travelers who would prefer a more traditional hotel could check out the nearby Hotel Meson Castilla, where breakfast is free.
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Scene
No-frills hotel with bustling multi-purpose lobby, suitable for all sorts of unfussy travelers
This no-frills place is basic, but meets the needs of unfussy travelers who want to be in a great location close to attractions, dining, and nightlife. The lobby is a beehive of activity throughout the day, as it's where everything takes place -- checking in and out, breakfast, using the computer, and getting tips on sightseeing and tours. Booth seating and tables and chairs line the wall across from the reception desk. The hotel's color scheme of red and white starts in the lobby, with a red linoleum floor, red benches, and a red reception desk with red chairs. A black-and-white map of Barcelona covers one wall, helpful for tourists trying to orient themselves, and a flat-screen TV keeps guests up-to-date on the latest news, sports, and weather. The majority of guests here are couples, but its prime location and reasonable rates also draw groups, families, individuals, and businesspeople.
Location
Excellent location in El Raval, close to Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas
This hotel has a prime location in El Raval, a four-minute walk from Plaza Catalunya and 10 minutes from Las Ramblas on foot. The streets near the hotel are full of restaurants, bars, shops, and attractions, including the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA), which is also a four-minute walk from the hotel. La Boqueria, the city's photogenic public market, is about a eight minutes away on foot, and the Picasso Museum is a 20-minute walk. Passeig de Gracia -- one of Barcelona's high-end drags -- is about 15 minutes away on foot, and the Universitat Metro stop is only a three-minute walk for farther-flung destinations like Sagrada Familia (a 15-minute journey). Expect a 40-minute trip to Barcelona El Prat Airport by public transportation, or 20 minutes by car.
Rooms
Simple rooms with flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning, some with balconies and nice city views
Rooms are simple, but modern, done in mostly white decor, with red accent walls, bed runners, drapery, and flooring. Furniture is basic and clean lined -- think: IKEA -- and there is no artwork. Triple rooms offer three twin-size beds. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, red safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms have a fresh style, with above-counter sinks, stall showers or shower/tub combos, hairdryers, and toiletries. Some have bidets. A few rooms have balconies with nice views of the city, while others look out onto adjoining buildings. Keep in mind that rooms on the hotel's front side may pick up noise from late-night revelers on the streets below.
Features
Breakfast buffet, rooftop terrace with hot tub, computer and printer in lobby, and free Wi-Fi
This simple hotel doesn't offer much in the way of features, but a breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served for a fee. The rooftop terrace is a popular spot for hanging out on lounge chairs, and there's a hot tub and shower as well -- not exactly common in this category or part of town. A computer and printer are set up in the lobby for guests to use, and a vending machine dispenses drinks. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel
