Sallés Hotel Pere IV

This hotel is located in a modern, nine-story building with flags flying above the entrance -- it's a conspicuous spot in an otherwise residential corner of the sprawling Poblenou district. Overall, this hotel is a solid value, as it's well-kept and clean -- if dated -- but close enough to city-center sights and the beach to keep most Barcelona visitors happy. Guests enter the lobby through revolving glass doors, and the red, black, and white color scheme is evident immediately. Decor is a little gaudy, and confused, with furniture and accents from a variety of decades. A crystal chandelier hangs over a checkered marble floor, and red leather sectionals, sofas, and chairs provide seating all around. There's a bar with red bar stools off to the side, where guests are often found throughout the day. Accent walls are dressed in black-and-white stripes, and some hallways to guest rooms show bold red and white stripes. A few areas of the hotel are looking a bit dated, but renovations are slated to begin in November 2016. For now, this place appeals mostly to couples looking for a well-priced option, but families, groups, businesspeople, and individuals also take advantage of its decent rates and proximity to the beach and public transportation.  

This hotel is located a little off the beaten path, in a residential corner of Poblenou. The district is one of Barcelona's trendy, up-and-coming pockets, but those parts of the neighborhood are at quite a remove from the hotel. Still, there are some bars and restaurants in the area. Parc de la Ciutadella is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, as is the pedestrianized heart of the neighborhood, Rambla de Poblenou. The beach is a 15-minute walk from the hotel -- a major draw for those who stay here -- and both Port Olimpic and Gadui's iconic Sagrada Família can be reached in 20 minutes on foot. The Bogatell Metro station is only a five-minute walk from the hotel, making it easy to reach Las Ramblas and Barri Gotic in the heart of Barcelona (just over 20 minutes). Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a 30-minute drive from the hotel, or about an hour away by public transportation. 

The hotel offers Double and Triple rooms, as well as four Family Rooms. Decor is classic, with wood floors, carved hardwood furniture, crisp black-and-white bed coverings, and antiqued plaster walls. The bright colors -- like yellow headboards and chairs -- keep things cheerful, despite the overall look being a little dated. Amenities are modern, though, and include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Keep in mind that the air-conditioning can be weak and there are no electric kettles for coffee or tea. Bathrooms are tiled in marble and offer shower/tub combos, hairdryers, bidets, and toiletries. Windows open to provide fresh air, and most views are of the city and adjacent rooftops.

Despite its mid-range status and urban setting, this hotel packs in a number of extras, though their quality is variable. The small spa is a nice extra. It's dated, but offers an indoor pool with waterfalls, a hot tub, sauna, steam rooms, and special showers. Massage treatments are available. There's a small fitness room as well, which offers a few cardio machines and simple set of free weights -- it's not much, but decent enough for an extremely basic workout.

Situated in a a lively space with a color scheme of black, red, and white, Garum Restaurant serves Mediterranean and regional cuisine for lunch and dinner. The day with a breakfast buffet of hot and cold items in the Salon Cuatro Estaciones (for a fee), while the Vintage Cafe serves snacks in a casual setting. Room service is available around-the-clock, though food receives mixed reviews across the board.

A business center offers computers and a printer for guests to use (for a fee), and there are meeting rooms, too. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and while the hotel has a parking garage, there's a fee for using it.