The Rough Guide to Barcelona 8 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

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179
euros cheaper outside July & Aug. Dorms
€25, rooms €70.
El Jardí Pl. Sant Josep Oriol 1 T933 015 900,
W ; M Liceu. The
hotel’s location, overlooking the charming
Plaça del Pi, is what sells this place – and
explains the steepish prices for rooms that,
though smart and modern, can be a bit
bare and even poky. But the bathrooms
have been nicely done and some rooms
(the top ones have terraces) look directly
onto the square. You can have breakfast
here (not included), but the Bar del Pi in the
square is a better bet. From €89, terrace or
balcony €106.
Levante Bxda. Sant Miquel 2 T933 179 565,
W M Jaume I. A
budget favourite, with fifty rooms – singles,
doubles, twins, triples – on two rambling
floors. Some rooms are much better than
others (with newer pine furniture, en-suite
bathrooms and balconies). The comings
and goings aren’t to everyone’s liking
( tranquilo it isn’t), but prices are reasonable.
Six apartments with kitchen and washing
machine also available nearby, sleeping five
to seven people. €60, en suite €70, apart-
ments from €30 per person per night.
Mari-Luz c/del Palau 4, 2 T933 173
463, W
M Jaume I/Liceu. This old mansion, on a
quieter-than-usual Barri Gòtic street, has a
more personal touch than the huge new
hostels in town. Someone’s been to IKEA
for furniture and there are contemporary art
prints on the walls, a useful noticeboard,
central heating and a/c, laundry facilities
and a small kitchen. It can be a tight
squeeze when full as there are five dorm
rooms (sleeping 4–6 people), two of these
en suite, plus six inexpensive doubles and
a triple with shared bathrooms. A dozen
nicely restored apartments (sleeping 2–6;
W ) a few
minutes’ walk away in the Raval offer more
privacy. Dorms €15–22, rooms €37–57,
apartments from €70–100.
Metropol c/Ample 31 T 933 105 100, W www
M Drassanes. Slightly
off the beaten old-town track – and conse-
quently, prices are better value than similar
three-star places on the nearby Ramblas.
The lobby is a masterpiece of contemporary
design, while rooms are understated but
comfortable. Street noise isn’t too bad
either, so opening the shutters onto c/Ample
doesn’t blast the eardrums first thing in the
morning. From €120.
Neri c/de Sant Sever 5 T 933 040 655,
W M Liceu/Jaume I.
A delightful eighteenth-century palace close
to the cathedral houses this stunning
boutique hotel of just 22 individually styled
rooms and suites. Swags of flowing
material, rescued timber, subdued colours,
granite-toned bathrooms and lofty propor-
tions provide a common theme. In the
public areas, Catalan designers have
created eye-catching effects, like a boa
constrictor sofa and a tapestry that falls four
floors through the central atrium. A beamed
library and stylish roof terrace provide a
tranquil escape, while breakfast is served
bento-box style, either out in the courtyard
in summer or in chef Jordi Ruiz’s fine
contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.
From €285.
Racó del Pi c/del Pi 7 T 933 426 190, W www
; M Liceu. Some imagination went
into the conversion of this old-town
mansion, and the result is a stylish
three-star hotel in a great location. Rooms
– some with balconies over the street –
have wood floors and granite-and-mosaic
bathrooms. There’s a glass of cava on
check-in, and although breakfast is extra
there’s free coffee and pastries during the
day in the bar. Low-season last-minute
rates as low as €110, otherwise from
€150.
Best places for …
Dorm delight Alternative Creative Youth Home (p.187), Centric Point (p.187), Mari-Luz
(p.179).
Great value Australia (p.185), Grau (p.180), Rembrandt (p.180).
More than just B&B Marina View (p.182), Pensió 2000 (p.181), thefiverooms (p.184).
Old-world lodgings D’Uxelles (p.183), Meson Castilla (p.180), Peninsular (p.181).
Style on a budget Gat Raval/Xino (p.180), Goya (p.184), Market (p.180).
ACCOMMODATION
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Hotels and pensions