Hotel Continental Barcelona

Hotel Continental opened in 1931, and the family-run property’s history begins just before Spain’s Civil War. During the war, many journalists lived at the property, most notably George Orwell, who wrote "Homage to Catalonia" while recovering from a war-related injury. The hotel’s interior has certainly gone through renovations since then, but the floral decor (the design choice of the owner’s mother) might be a bit much for some. In fact, despite modernization over the years, the property still feels quite old school. Hotel Continental’s main dining room has a small balcony with a table and two chairs that's a great spot to watch the throngs of people streaming down along Las Ramblas. There’s also a big outdoor terrace in the hotel’s rear, with lots of tables and chairs for outdoor dining (and unwinding after a day exploring the city). That's particularly appealing when the free beer and wine are taken into account. Guests here are an international set, but we saw (and heard) quite a few Americans during our visit. 

Hotel Continental is located at the north end of Barcelona’s Las Rambas, a long pedestrian strip loaded with shops, restaurants, and tourists in the city center. Plaza Cataluna -- with its fountains, hop-on-hop-off city tour bus stops, and metro station -- is a three-minute stroll from the property. From there, the beach is only a 15- to 25-minute trip by bus or train. The Gothic Quarter is also just a short stroll around the corner, while La Boqueria market is just five minutes south along Las Ramblas on foot. No trip to Barcelona is complete without visiting the surreal buildings of Antoni Gaudi, some of which are nearby in the Eixample. Casa Batllo, a gorgeous private residence is a 15-minute walk, along Barcelona's most famous shopping district -- Passeig de Gracia. Gaudi's most iconic work, La Sagrada Familia, is a 20-minute metro ride away. Parc Guell, another Gaudi creation, is 45 minutes away by a combination of the metro and walking. Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a 20-minute drive or 45-minute trip by metro from Hotel Continental. 

Hotel Continental’s rooms are -- like the rest of the hotel -- pink and covered in floral accents. Just about every surface, from the pink wallpaper to the smoked glass bathroom and closet doors with blossoming peony prints, reads a bit behind-the-times. Guest rooms aren’t huge, but don’t feel cramped thanks to arched ceilings capped with crystal-and-brass chandeliers. However, chintzy furniture includes plastic storage bins topped with faux pink granite, which only adds to the budget-basic effect. All rooms also have flat-screen TVs with cable channels, plus free Wi-Fi, microwaves, mini-fridges, and air-conditioning. The latter can occasionally be unreliable. Some rooms have balconies overlooking Las Ramblas with cafe-style tables and chairs, and despite the lively scene below most guests report that rooms stay quiet at night. Bathrooms feature travertine floors and vanities, wall-size mirrors, and shower/tub combos plus pump-dispensed toiletries. Hairdryers are also standard and irons are available upon request from the front desk. Free cribs are available as well.

For a budget hotel in the center of town, this hotel packs in an almost absurd amount of freebies. This starts with a free breakfast buffet and a 24-hour snack and drink bar. The food gets mixed reviews, but the price means it's still tasty. Expect salads, pastries, fresh fruit, cheese, ham, soda, draft beer, wine, and soft-serve ice cream. Computers are set up throughout the hotel for guests to use, and free printing is available. Pets area also welcome (for a fee). Other hotel amenities include laundry service (for a fee), discounted parking at a nearby garage, and free Wi-Fi.