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

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all – a lovely tiled rear patio on which to read
in the sun. Parking available. €140, terrace
room €155.
Peninsular c/de Sant Pau 34 T933 023 138,
W M Liceu. This
interesting old building originally belonged to
a priestly order, which explains the slightly
cell-like quality of the rooms. However,
there’s nothing spartan about the attractive
galleried inner courtyard (around which the
rooms are ranged), hung with dozens of
tumbling houseplants, while breakfast is
served in the arcaded dining room. €78.
Ramos c/de l’Hospital 36 T933 020 723,
W ; MLiceu. The best
rooms here in this family-run pension
overlook either the quiet marble internal
patio or the attractive Pl. de Sant Agusti.
Partitioning has spoiled the proportions of
some (those facing the square are the
largest), but all have either half- or full-size
bathtubs, polished tile floors and TV. It’s
something of a haven and very popular;
some English is spoken. €72.
Sant Agustí Pl. Sant Agusti 3 T933 181 658,
W M Liceu. Barcelona’s
oldest hotel occupies a former seventeenth-
century convent building, with balconies
overlooking a restored square and
namesake church. It’s of three-star
standard, with appealing rooms that have
been modernized and air-conditioned – the
best are located right in the attic (supple-
ment charged), from where there are rooftop
views. Breakfast included. From €160.
La Terrassa c/Junta del Comerç 11 T933 025
174, W ; MLiceu.
A popular Raval budget choice where 45
rooms on various floors (there’s a lift) have
built-in closets, modern shower rooms,
effective double-glazing, ceiling fans and
heaters. They are fairly plain, and “basic-
interior” rooms don’t have much natural
light, but “basic-” and “standard-exterior”
rooms either face the street or the sunny
courtyard (open to all guests), and some are
more spacious than others. Interior rooms
€53–58, basic and standard exterior
€60–74, large exterior €78.
Sant Pere
For locations, see map, p.74.
Ciutat c/de la Princesa 35 T932 697 475,
W MJaume 1.
Contemporary three-star hotel that’s well sited
for old-town sightseeing. Colour-coordinated
rooms are stylish and soundproofed against
street noise, if a bit tight on space. There’s a
cute deck and small pool for lounging about,
and a handsome restaurant attached. From
€125.
Grand Hotel Central Via Laietana 30 T932 957
900 W M Jaume I.
It might be on one of the city’s noisiest
thoroughfares, but the soundproofing does
its job handsomely in this wham-glam
designer hotel. Spacious, ever-so-lovely
rooms hit all the right buttons – hardwood
floors, massage-showers, flat-screen TVs,
MP3 players – and up on the roof there are
amazing views from the sundeck and
infinity pool. Meanwhile, the chic hotel
restaurant, Actual , showcases the new-
wave Catalan cooking of chef Ramón
Freixa. From €200.
Pensió 2000 c/Sant Pere Més Alt 6, 1
T933 107 466, W ;
M Urquinaona. As close to a family-run bed
and breakfast as Barcelona gets – seven
huge rooms (some overlook the Palau de la
Música Catalana, across the street) in a
welcoming mansion apartment strewn with
books, plants and pictures. A third person
could easily share most rooms (€23 supple-
ment), while a choice of breakfasts (not
included) is served either in your room or on
the internal patio. Laundry service available.
€62, en suite €80.
La Ribera
For locations, see map, p.78.
Banys Orientals c/de l’Argenteria 37 T932 688
460, W
M Jaume I. Funky boutique hotel with 43
minimalist rooms and some more spacious
duplex suites nearby. Hardwood floors,
crisp white sheets, sharp marble bathrooms
and urban-chic decor – not to mention
bargain prices for this sort of style – make it
a hugely popular choice. The attached
restaurant, Senyor Parellada, is a great find
too. €100, suites €130.
Chic & Basic c/de la Princesa 50 T932
954 652, W ;
M Jaume I. From the babbling blurb above
reception (“it’s fresh, it’s cool, it’s fusion”) to
the open-plan, all-in-white rooms, every-
thing is punchily boutique and in-your-face.
But it works really well, as 31 decent-sized
rooms mix glamour and comfort with
ACCOMMODATION
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Hotels and pensions