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If you snag a room at this 32-room, two-star, then make sure to take a shower. All Nostrum's in-room showers (some bathrooms are shared) are outfitted with hydro-massage settings and radios. This is a popular hostal with all sorts of travelers, from backpackers to families, which is not surprising. Mare Nostrum has comfortable rooms in a prime location off Las Ramblas, with welcoming extras such as continental breakfast and air-conditioning. Considering Nostrum's popularity, it's a good idea to book in advance.
Rooms are OK, but besides the aforementioned hydro-bath, there's not much special about them. Generally, the style here is mismatched furniture and clashing bedspreads in freshly-painted tidy rooms. The basics are covered though, and all rooms have telephones and cable televisions, and many have small balconies. Some of these balconies look out onto Sant Pau, a busy little street affording the opportunity to take in the hustle and bustle of daily life in the old city center.
All rooms have soundproofed windows, but those with street views will still be noisier, (but prettier!) than rooms in the back of the hotel, which are darker but muted because of their interior location.
Mare Nostrum is a bit pricey in light of its amenities and overall feel. That said, air-conditioning and location alone may justify a small splurge. The hostal is near everything, with a Metro stop just a few meters away. A leisurely walk down Las Ramblas takes you from Nostrum to the sea. Walk five minutes up Las Ramblas and find yourself at Plaça Catalunya, in the center of the city.
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