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

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with a wide range of cosy, traditional rooms,
plus corridors laid with rugs, polished
wooden doors, paintings and restored
furniture throughout. Some rooms share a
bathroom, others have a shower or full bath,
while the biggest and best rooms have a/c
and balconies, though you can expect
some noise. Prices vary considerably, but
from €50, full en suite €75
Goya c/de Pau Claris 74, 1 T 933 022
565, W
M Urquinaona. Refurbishment has raised the
game at this boutique-style pension, now
offering a dozen fabulous rooms in Hostal
Goya and seven more on the floor below in
Goya Principal, all stylishly decorated and
with excellent bathrooms. There’s a fair
range of options, with the best rooms
opening directly onto a balcony or a terrace.
There are comfortable sitting areas, and free
coffee and tea available on both floors.
From €90, balcony/terrace rooms €105.
Granvía Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 642 T933
181 900, ; MCatalunya/
Passeig de Gràcia. An attractive townhouse,
built for a nineteenth-century banking family,
with swish lobby and public rooms exuding
old-style comfort. You may be less lucky with
your own room, as some of the accommoda-
tion is cramped, but there’s a lovely roof
terrace. Prices are pretty reasonable for a
three-star hotel given that a/c, full bath and
satellite TV come as standard. €130.
Majestic Pg. de Gràcia 68 T 934 881 717,
W ; M Passeig de Gràcia.
Traditional grand-dame hotel, first opened in
1918, though refitted in unthreatening
contemporary style to provide a tranquil
city-centre base. Big-ticket original art
adorns the public areas (it’s known for its art
collection), and the rooms – larger than
many in this price range – have been pleas-
antly refurbished. The absolute clincher is
the rooftop pool and deck, with amazing
views over to the Sagrada Família.The
Drolma restaurant is highly rated too, while
the high quoted room rates can almost
always be beaten, either simply by asking or
by checking the website. From €300.
Omm c/Rosselló 265 T934 454 000, W www
; M Diagonal. Barcelona’s most
fashionable restaurant group, Tragaluz, has
entered the hotel game with the designer
experience that is Omm . Expect minimalist,
open-plan rooms in muted colours, a studi-
ously chic bar, the Michelin-starred Moo
restaurant, plus terrace, pool and
Spaciomm “relaxation centre”, not to
mention fearsomely handsome staff. It’s not
to everyone’s taste – it’s probably fair to say
that the less annoyed you are by the
website, the more you’ll like the hotel.
From €300.
Prestige Pg. de Gràcia 62 T932 724 180 or 902
200 414, W ;
M Passeig de Gràcia. A sharp redesign of a
1930s Eixample building has added achingly
fashionable minimalist rooms, an Oriental-
style internal patio garden and the Zeroom,
a lounge with wireless Internet facility and
style library. It’s almost a parody of itself it’s
so cool, but the staff keep things real and
pride themselves on their city know-how.
“Functional” (standard) rooms are a bit less
impressive (no views), so upgrade if you
can. Advance deals from €170, otherwise
from €250.
San Remo c/Ausias Marc 19, 2 T933 021 989,
W M Urquinaona. As
pensions go, the doubles aren’t a bad size
for the money and the small tiled bathrooms
are pretty good for this price range. There’s
a/c and double-glazing, but even so you’ll
get more peace at the back – though the
internal rooms aren’t nearly as appealing as
those with balconies. The seven rooms
include one decently priced single. €56–62.
the5Rooms c/Pau Claris 72, 2 T933 427
880, W
M Urquinaona. The luxury B&B concept has
suddenly taken off in Barcelona and the
impeccably tasteful 5 rooms set the standard.
The owner’s fashion background is evident in
gorgeous contemporary-styled rooms that
are spacious and light-filled, with original
artwork above each bed, exposed brick walls
and terrific bathrooms. Despite the high-spec
surroundings, the feel is house-party rather
than hotel – breakfast is served whenever you
like, drinks are always available, and owner
Jessica is happy to sit down and talk you
through her favourite bars, restaurants and
galleries. Two apartments are also available,
sleeping up to 4 people. €135–165, apart-
ments from €175 for 2 people.
Sagrada Família and Glòries
For location, see map, pp.122–123.
Eurostars Gaudí c/Consell de Cent 498-500
T932 320 288,W www.eurostarshotels
.com; MMonumental. An excellent-value
ACCOMMODATION
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Hotels and pensions