Hotel California

I recently stayed at a hotel in Barcelona for a few days and was pleasantly surprised. Despite some negative reviews, the hotel was actually quite decent. Although the surrounding area may have a rough reputation, I personally had no issues during my stay. The staff, consisting of three individuals, were all friendly and accommodating. In terms of location, the hotel was conveniently close to Las Ramblas and had plenty of nearby bars and restaurants to choose from.

This hotel, situated in the heart of Barcelona's Gothic quarter, boasts a prime location for exploring nearby restaurants and the harbor. Its boutique style is charmingly reflected in the small but cozy lobby. Although rooms may be on the petite side, the elegant white marble bathrooms and floor-to-ceiling terrace window create a luxurious feel. My personal favorite was the spacious bathtub in my room. The breakfast spread was impressive, featuring a variety of meats, cheeses, pastries, and beverages served over a generous timeframe. The beds, while slightly on the firm side, do not offer much padding. Despite this, I wholeheartedly recommend this place for its excellent value for money.

This hotel was not up to standard by any means. The staff member who checked us in was incredibly unhelpful and discourteous. Our room had not been prepared, and instead of offering any assistance, he left our bags behind the desk unattended. It was clear that there was no security in place, which made me worry about the safety of my belongings. Additionally, the room was in desperate need of refurbishment. It reeked of an unpleasant smell, and further added to our disappointment. With the vast selection of options in the area, I would highly recommend finding somewhere else to stay. When we expressed our discontent, we were met with a harsh response of "no refunds" - an unacceptable way to treat customers.

This place was easily the worst part of my 11 day trip. The staff were incredibly rude, and the environment was unkempt and run-down. The bed was a joke - like sleeping in a little box with a plastic sheet. It smelled of some kind of chemical they were using to try and mask the original odour, but it was so strong it almost made it hard to breathe. They had no system for storing luggage, they simply held it until the room was ready but didn't even tag it or put it away securely. We ended up not even spending the night and will be disputing the charge on our credit card. I've never left a bad review before but this place is far too basic and unhygienic for the cost. Without doubt, there are much better options elsewhere.

Terrible experience overall. This place was a huge disappointment. Communication was bad and the staff was rude and unhelpful. The coffee was terrible as well. I've stayed at many hotels throughout the world but this one was not up to par. Even BBC voted this as the worst hotel in Barcelona. Horrible experience.