Hotel Barbara

The one-star Hotel Barbara is strictly no-frills in, and its central neighborhood can feel gritty at times. Still, it’s tough to argue with friendly service and starting rates of €29 (for a double with a private bathroom). Each of the hotel’s 58 guest rooms is outfitted with all the usual amenities, including air conditioning, a TV and phone. Wi-Fi costs extra, and the hotel has an elevator.

The basics

• Clean, basic and cheap, cheap, cheap. Guests of the Barbara report that the facilities are simple and the rooms small (and some a bit dark). But most agree that the place is clean and overall a good value for those looking for a central place to crash. Note that a refundable deposit applies for use of the TV.

• Friendly service. An overwhelming number of guests praise the hotel’s helpful staff.

• Central, if dodgy, El Raval neighborhood. While it’s up-and-coming and hip in some parts, El Raval still has some some areas that feel a bit sketchy, and the Hotel Barbara is in one of those areas (many guests complain about the number of prostitutes on the street). It’s fine if you keep your wits about you, but solo female travelers might want to stay elsewhere.

• Some complaints. It’s not surprising that the Hotel Barbara gets some complaints (most of the cheapest properties do). Guests mostly gripe about the noise (a common issue throughout Barcelona), hit-or-miss air conditioning and questionable surroundings. Just as many, though, find the central location, cleanliness and low rates to be quite the value.

• Wi-Fi is available for an additional charge in the public areas only.

Location

It bears mentioning again that this is not the nicest section of Barcelona. That said, from here you can easily walk to the Gothic Quarter, Ramblas, Montjuic, the Boqueria market and much more.

• Metro: The Hotel Barbara is located within five minutes each of the Drassanes (Green/L3 line) and Paral·lel (Purple/L2) stops.