Hostal Fernando

A one-star pension and youth hostel in one, the Hostal Fernando has pretty much got it all: a great central location, a roomy/clean space, a helpful staff and rates to match every budget.

With 60 dorm beds and 40 private rooms, this is one of the best Cheapo deals in Barcelona. Let us tell you why...

Quick read

Pros: Fun, central location. Lots of amenities. Rates for every budget.

Cons: Touristy street and area. Noisy. Not much charm.

Rooms

All private rooms at the family-run Hostal Fernando have heat, air conditioning, a safe and television. Room décor is plain and inoffensive. Walls are freshly painted and bedspreads are a calming rose color. Some rooms have a balcony looking onto Carrer de Ferran, which is an incredibly busy pedestrian street with tons of cafés and cute shops.

Dorm rooms are simply furnished with lockers and white bunk beds. They sleep four, six, or eight, and some of the larger rooms feature a small table and chairs. They have air conditioning, but no other in-room amenities.

Bathrooms

All rooms (including dorms) have a private bathroom, tiled in beige and outfitted with a small shower with shower curtain. They are clean and new, but very basic and sans toiletries.

Hotel

Although the Hostal Fernando is admittedly a tad boring when it comes to aesthetics, it’s amenity packed (apart from zero amenities in the bathrooms). Both pension and hostel guests have access to an unimaginative yet useful communal kitchen with two stove and many tables.

In addition, the Fernando provides a television lounge, a café and bar, and enormous lockers to store your stuff (a service which appeals to dorm and hotel guests).

Wi-Fi is free in the lobby and Internet stations are available (€1 for a half hour). Breakfast is included in the room rate for pension (but not hostel) guests. Guests also receive a 10 percent discount on meals in the lounge.

Location

The Hostal Fernando’s location is very central and easy to reach. Carrer de Ferran connects Las Ramblas to Via Laietana and El Born, and therefore is teeming with visitors and locals year-round. This means it can often be noisy and crowded, but for those seeking "central and easy" off Las Ramblas, the Fernando is a good bet.

The Fernando is also well located for public transportation, and within easy distance of many historical monuments such as Plaça Reial, the Cathedral, La Boqueria Market and the history museum (MUHBA). The Picasso Museum is about a 10- to 15-minute walk away, and many excellent restaurants and bars are hidden in the alleys off Carrer de Ferran. (Tip: Avoid Carrer de Ferran for eating and drinking, as most businesses here cater to tourists.)

Transportation

Subway: The Hostal Fernando is located less than a five-minute walk from the Liceu stop (which is named for the Opera House across the street—well worth a visit). Liceu is on the Green Line/L3, or the Yellow Line/L4 is easily accessible from the Jaume I stop at the end of Carrer de Ferran.

From the Airport: The Areobús, which departs from the airport every five minutes, will get you into Barcelona in 35 minutes, depending on traffic. Get off at Plaça Catalunya (the last stop) and either catch a cab or walk 10-15 minutes down Las Ramblas for 10 to 15 minutes to Carrer de Ferran. You can also take the RENFE Cercanías train (from T2) to the Passeig de Gracia stop. From there, transfer to the Green Line/L3 Metro to Liceu.