Solid hotel for budget-minded travelers in a hip neighborhood
Near shops, galleries, cafes, and restaurants
Comfortable guest rooms with AC, flat-screen TVs, and desks
Bathrooms have bidets, hairdryers, and some have shower/tub combos
Free use of rooftop pool and hot tub at adjoining sister property
Easy access to sister property's eateries
24-hour front desk
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Far from the city's top attractions
All facilities located at the hotel's sister property
Guest rooms lack kettles and safes
Fee for breakfast and parking
The two-and-a-half-pearl Sunotel Junior offers solid accommodations in hip L’Antiga Esquerra de L’Eixample, but it isn't ideal for tourists here to see major sights. Its 34 guest rooms have basic and slightly dated decor, but they're comfortable and well-maintained. All units have AC, flat-screen TVs, wide desks, roomy wardrobes, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no kettles or safes. Guests have free access to features including a rooftop pool, restaurant, and bar located at the hotel's sister property, a short walk away through a connecting underground tunnel. Travelers looking for a more upscale stay can check out U232 Hotel, which has a fitness center but no pool.
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Scene
Couples and other leisure travelers grab a bite and hit the rooftop pool
The Sunotel Junior has no public spaces other than a small lobby, with plants and contemporary red and charcoal-gray sofas. All the action takes place at the hotel's more upmarket sister hotel, the Sunotel Aston. There, guests of both properties convene in a breakfast room with traditional decor that feels a tad stuffy, but the space is bright and pleasant overall. The cafeteria and bar is more attractive and modern, with designer-inspired chairs pulled up to tables set with vibrant blue and pink tablecloths and napkins. The rooftop pool deck is a popular spot, where there's also a hot tub, sun loungers, and patio seating. The hotel draws mostly couples willing to trade proximity to Barcelona’s main sights for attractive amenities and a trendy neighborhood.
Location
Close to hip restaurants and public transit, but far from major sights
Sunotel Junior is in L’Antiga Esquerra de L’Eixample, a hip but low-key area popular with the LGBT community (it's often called "Gaixample"). Numerous cafes, restaurants, shops, and art galleries are a short walk from the hotel, as is the University of Barcelona, but the hotel isn't within walking distance of the city's top attractions. However, public transportation is readily accessible: the Paris - Comte d’Urgell bus stop is across the street, the Hospital Clinic metro station is a five-minute walk, and the Francesc Macia light rail station is a little more than five minutes on foot. As for sights, Passeig de Gracia shopping and Gaudi’s Casa Mila are 15 minutes by metro, La Sagrada Familia is a little more than a 15-minute metro ride, and the Boqueria Market and bustling La Rambla are 20 minutes by metro. Barcelona-Sants Station is 10 minutes by metro. Barcelona - El Prat Airport is a 15-minute drive from the hotel, or to save money on cab fare guests can take a 10-minute metro ride from Hospital Clinic to Placa de Catalunya for a 40-minute trip by Aerobus.
Rooms
Simple and moderately attractive, with AC and flat-screen TVs, but no kettles
Guest rooms at Sunotel Junior have a slightly dated look, but they're tidy and comfortable, and not unattractive. There's light-wood furniture and trim, light yellow walls, and red bedspreads and curtains. All units have AC, double-glazed windows, wide desks with upholstered chairs, spacious wardrobes, flat-screen TVs (limited English channels), and free Wi-Fi, but they lack kettles and safes. Also, some double beds are two singles pushed together. Bathrooms could use a once-over, with some stained grout, but they're equipped with stall showers or shower/tub combos, bidets, hairdryers, and toiletries.
Features
Rooftop pool, restaurant and bar, plus free Wi-Fi, but fee for breakfast and parking
Other than the lobby's 24-hour reception desk, all of the Sunotel Junior's facilities can be found at its sister hotel, Sunotel Aston, where guests are given free access. The rooftop deck is a highlight, with a small swimming pool and hot tub. Both are open year-round long, but the pool is unheated so it can get a bit cool in the colder months. The deck gets direct sun, and there are plenty of sun loungers so overcrowding isn't an issue. For dining, there's a generous hot breakfast buffet (fee) with standard fare that receives good reviews from previous guests. There's also a cafeteria and bar with light fare for lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is free throughout, but parking costs extra.
