Hostal Argo

A good value hotel with clean rooms. Handy if you want to stay near several tourist attractions.

We were out exploring most of the time, so the small room for two was fine, and the price made sense for the location. It had a high ceiling and a window onto the internal atrium. No view, but at least we could get some air. We heard other guests going by on the hallway and stairs, though not through the neighboring room's walls. Downstairs, the shared kitchen and dining area had free cold and hot water refills, which we appreciated as light travelers. After checkout, we could leave our bags in locked storage for a later flight. The receptionist was nice and suggested a few places to see. There's a bakery, pharmacy, and grocery store right downstairs, and key central spots are walkable. City tax is paid in cash when you arrive.

Room 206 was a pleasant surprise: it had a street-facing balcony and a view of the interesting historic building across the way. It stayed very clean, looked like the listing, and they even left us a bottle of water. Room service came daily. I booked four nights in May, after hesitating because of some bad reviews online, especially the mention of bugs. The location is a real plus, close to both transport and sights. Casa Battló and Casa Mila are three streets away, and the Sagrada Familia is a few more streets along. I'd recommend it for a clean, comfortable, easy-to-access room in Barcelona. It's still a Hostal, though, so the materials are a little worn and the facilities are basic. If it were considered a hotel, I'd rate it higher.

The location is great, but I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving valuables in the room. While we were out, someone went through our bags and cash was stolen. It might have been cleaning staff or someone who came in to check on the cockroaches, which entered our bathroom through a hole in the corner. The rooms weren't very soundproof either, though earplugs made it somewhat manageable. I'd only recommend staying if you're traveling light or keeping personal items with you. The room didn't feel secure.