Barcelona City Rooms

The location and service were really nice, and you can open the doors through an app. The toilet was outside the room, though. I only booked because there were no other options during music festival week. Two nights cost me 390 EURO, and breakfast wasn't even included 😁😁

We'd prepaid for three nights but left after just one. The place was nothing like its listing, and the price didn't match what it offered. Its full name is Hostal Barcelona City Rooms, meaning it's a hostel, though booking sites call it Barcelona City Rooms. There was staff only for a few hours, with entry otherwise managed by codes sent through WhatsApp to the lead guest. Our supposed “superior” room looked nothing like the photos and was listed for four, but once the beds were in there was no floor space. The shower was separated from the room by only a curtain, and its broken fitting left the shower head dangling. The toilet was tiny and badly plumbed, so they said toilet paper couldn't be flushed and had to go in an open bin beside it. With no windows that opened, that was unpleasant, and the toilet seat was several sizes too small. The double bed sagged badly in the middle, leaving both of us sleeping on a slope. Breakfast was unattended and consisted of a few repackaged items, nothing fresh. We moved to a much better two-bedroom apartment in an aparthotel for less money.

The staff were friendly, and although there was a bit of a language barrier, we managed fine. We went for Formula 1 with a couple of extra days, and they gave us a map, pointed out places to visit and transport options, and warned us where to watch for pickpockets. They also made the towels into swans and similar shapes each evening, and breakfast was nice. The room was a good size, with a big, very comfortable bed and a bath with a choice of two shower heads. The decor could be improved, but that didn't bother me much since you don't spend much time in a hotel room. It was the little touches that made the stay, and I'd probably return to Barcelona and stay there again.

The price felt too high for the quality and facilities. The good parts were the nice neighborhood and being a five-minute walk from Sagrada Familia. It was reasonably clean, though they didn't clean during the rest days of our stay. The hostel is on a mezzanine, below even the first floor. Our room's small street-facing window wouldn't lock or close properly, which made the room feel unsafe. We contacted them on the emergency WhatsApp number but got no response.