Hotel Via Augusta

The original late 19th century foyer in this modest, 10-story hotel is quite impressive, with a coffered ceiling and brown marble walls and white columns leading to a winding staircase with white marble steps and a brass railing. The reception desk is made of dark wood and rests across from walls made of lighter wood paneling and a cozy corner with four armchairs sitting below a piece of contemporary art. A gray upholstered sofa topped with throws in bright colors sits adjacent to the desk and across from a bicycle rental rack. It’s a small but cheerful enough space that leads to the dining room with food-themed art, bright orange chairs, and laminate tables on stainless steel pedestals. It’s a clean space, but looks a bit like a school cafeteria. This is a quiet and clean hotel that caters to couples and other budget-conscious tourists who don’t mind daily trips into downtown Barcelona via public transit.

The Hotel Via Augusta is situated in Gracia, a busy district with residential housing about 20 minutes northwest of Barcelona’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s on a major street that’s still relatively quiet, with several restaurants, shops, and a grocery store within walks of one to four minutes. It’s close to Metro stations at Gracia (a one-minute walk) and Fontana (a five-minute walk), making connections into the heart of Barcelona quick and easy. Plaça Catalunya is only five minutes away by train. The Cathedral Barcelona de la Seu takes 14 minutes by train. Many major attractions can be reached in approximately 20 minutes by train, including the Gothic Quarter, Las Ramblas, and La Sagrada Familia church. Port Vell takes about 32 minutes. The Barcelona-El Prat Airport is 50 to 60 minutes by public transit or about 20 minutes by car or taxi. 

Hotel Via Augusta's 80 guest rooms are clean and well-maintained, but rather small and sparsely decorated. Rooms come in Single, Double (two twins pushed together), and Triple (three twins) options, and have comfortable pillow-top mattresses. Standard room amenities include wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, electronic safes, free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and toiletries. Mini-fridges and balconies are available for an additional fee. Most walls are painted white, but the walls behind the beds are painted milk chocolate. Drapes and bedspreads are a darker shade of brown and the matching wood furniture is a reddish brown and includes headboards, nightstands, desks, desk chairs, and (in some rooms) armoires. The nice hardwood floors are in a lighter shade. Contemporary art decorates some walls. Bathrooms also are on the small side but have pleasing features including walk-in rainfall showers with frosted glass doors, beige tile walls, and brown tile floors. The white ceramic vanities offer enough space for some personal items. Some rooms, like the Single we saw, have toilets in separate spaces. Some rooms also have shower/tub combos, but most are walk-in showers of average size. Views of the surrounding neighborhood and street below are quite nice from some rooms, while others offer limited views. Guests report that street noise is not a problem, but room-to-room noise can be readily heard. 

This smaller, budget-oriented hotel offers an amenities package many travelers will find attractive. The hot breakfast buffet with meat and egg dishes (for a fee) is the only meal served at the hotel, but snacks and sodas are available in the lobby for purchase. A computer with Internet access and a printer in the lobby serves as the business center. Free newspapers are available in the lobby, where there's a safe deposit box behind the front desk that guests can use. Bicycles can be rented in the lobby, too, and parking is available for a fee. Valet laundry and dry cleaning services are available, and there are self-serve laundry facilities at the hotel, as well. Staff can assists guests with securing tickets to attractions and the front desk is staffed 24 hours. The small terrace on the ninth floor has tables and a few chairs, and offers lovely views of the surrounding neighborhood. Free Wi-Fi is accessible throughout this nonsmoking hotel.