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This 17-room, two-star hostal occupies a beautiful Modernist building on the infamous Avenida Puerta de l'Àngel. Staying at Hostal Lausanne will give you an idea of what it was like to live in this area in 1900, as not much has been changed since then in this old beauty.
Rooms are super simple, apart from the elaborately-carved ceilings and outdated chandeliers, but very moderately-priced. The location is one of the most coveted in Barcelona, right on the main pedestrian shopping street, in the heart of town.
Some of the Lausanne's triple room beds—cots, really—look like they've seen better days. If you are lanky of body, your feet will be hanging off these tiny beds. Double and single rooms have normal sized beds in tiny rooms, some with bathrooms attached. One room in the hostal is quite large, and is the only room with a balcony. Ask for this one. Another drawback: Lausanne doesn't have air-conditioning.
The Lausanne also has a very pleasant lounge area, with sofas, basic television, and vending machines. The lounge is set in an antique living room, with a balcony view that is as entertaining as it is picturesque. This area, which is also right off Plaça Catalunya, can be a bit of a sensory overload.
Besides great entertainment and shopping, the Lausanne is well located for catching everything from buses, to taxis, to the airport bus, not to mention two close-by Metro stops. One of Barcelona's largest supermarkets, El Corte Inglés, is right around the corner from this hostal if you feel like buying something to munch. Equally, there are choices galore when eating in this area, with everything from simple pastry shops to sushi joints.
Hostal Lausanne is sort of stuck in the past, and fighting the future. Though they've just set up an Internet station for guests, it's still not possible to pay for your room with a credit card. So if you plan to stay in this charming little gem, make sure to bring cash and call ahead!
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