Hotel Ciudad de Castelldefels

There's not much that distinguishes this property from other area hotels that are similar in style and offer comparable amenities, but nevertheless, it's a solid choice for those on a budget and attracts both couples and families with kids seeking a beachy stay close to Barcelona or its airport. Interiors here are predictable, bland, and a bit dated, but they're clean. Brown marble floors in the lobby are paired with a wooden reception desk and a spacious seating area with blue armchairs and couches illuminated by a wall of windows. Other common areas, like the restaurant, have the same kind of standard, lackluster look. Most guests here are leisure travelers, though business travelers also stay here, drawn by the hotel's meeting rooms and location. 

The hotel is situated in a residential area of the coastal town of Castelldefels, which is about a 30- to 40-minute drive west of Barcelona (or 40 to 60 minutes by public transportation). The beach is about a five-minute walk away, and there's a huge concentration of restaurants and bars nearby. The town center is about a 25-minute walk from the hotel or a six-minute drive. The castle that overlooks the town center can be reached in around 10 minutes by car or 20 minutes by bus. Other area attractions include the Parc del Garraf, which is around a 15-minute drive away, Catalunya en Miniatura, a miniature park that can be reached in 26 minutes by car, and the Sant Boi de Llobregat Museum, which is a 14-minute drive away. The nearest train station, Platja de Castelldefels, is a 10-minute walk from the hotel. Barcelona's El Prat Airport is a 10- to 15-minute drive, or about 45 minutes to an hour by public transportation.

Rooms are simply styled and a bit generic, but they're clean and pleasant enough. The hotel offers Double, Triple, Quadruple, and Quintuple Rooms, as well as suites with separate living rooms. Tile or wooden floors and cream-colored walls are the backdrop to classic wooden furniture and beds topped with white linens. Prints hang on the walls and mirrors hang above desks and dressers. Standard amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, electronic safes, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi, but there are no tea/coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are covered in white tiling and are dated; fixtures could use some updates. They're equipped with shower/tub combos and old wall-mounted hairdryers, plus toiletries are supplied.

The hotel offers a limited handful of features that add convenience to a stay here. The Mediterranean restaurant serves breakfast (for a fee, unless you book directly with the hotel), lunch, and dinner -- plus it has a pleasant outdoor area for alfresco dining. The lobby bar also opens onto an outdoor seating area. The hotel has an outdoor pool with a pleasant pool deck lined with loungers and umbrellas. Business travelers are catered to with six meeting rooms, plus there's a business corner and free Wi-Fi throughout the property. Other amenities include bike rentals and charged on-site parking.