Hotel Gotico

The Hotel Gotico's ornate, historic facade opens onto an early-20th-century lobby, which features a starburst motif repeated throughout the white-and-green marble floor and on the eye-catching overhead light fixture. Vintage chairs and curvilinear banquettes with green upholstery and oak accents combine with 1920s sconces to give the space a faded throwback charm. A beautiful reading area is a nod to the neighborhood’s medieval history, with vaulted stone ceilings and lots of seating. Note that while there is a bar in the lobby, it's not actually in operation. The hotel is geared toward tourists, couples, and families looking for a central no-frills option with basic guest services.

This hotel is situated on a busy street in Barri Gotic (the Gothic Quarter), near shops, tapas restaurants, and cafes. The Barcelona Cathedral and dozens of historic landmarks are within a few minutes on foot in any direction. La Rambla and the bohemian Raval district are a five-minute walk from the hotel, while Jaume I Metro station is a two-minute walk to the end of the block and connects to destinations such as Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. The trendy Born neighborhood -- filled with upscale designer shops -- is five minutes away on foot, while the beach and the Maremagnum shopping center are a 20-minute walk from the hotel’s front door. Taxis to El Prat International Airport take about 20 minutes. Alternatively, the Aerobus can be caught at Plaza Catalunya (a 10-minute walk away) and takes about 40 minutes to reach the airport.

The fairly slick 1920s vibe in the hotel’s public areas doesn’t carry over to the guest rooms, and the hallways leading to the rooms are dark and depressing. Single Rooms are minuscule, while Double and Triple Rooms are larger and some have small, street-facing balconies. Unfortunately street-facing rooms can be noisy, despite the hotel’s soundproofing claims. Drapes and seat cushions have the soft striped pattern found in many ’90s chain motels, and the oak-veneer furniture doesn’t have the same appeal as it does in the lobby. All rooms include small flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, desks, and air-conditioners and heaters that don't always work too well. The wall art -- which consists mostly of framed posters -- seems like it was added as an afterthought. Beds are covered with thin, dated comforters. Bathrooms are small and have tiled floors, marble vanities, and shower/tub combos, but the grout could use a good scrub. 

A continental buffet breakfast is served in the hotel’s dining area, though it lacks any made-to-order options and is only included in some rates. Lunch and dinner are not available on-site, however. One of the property's most charming features is its TV lounge and reading room, which features vaulted stone ceilings and skylights as well as glamorous marble floors and green retro furniture. It’s a great place to sit and relax, as is the outdoor terrace with partial views of Barri Gotic rooftops. Laundry service and luggage storage are both available, and the hotel offers free Wi-Fi, though the connection is spotty.