Hotel 1898

The spa water circuit was amazing, though we thought our reservation meant we'd have it to ourselves. There were four other couples sharing it, so it felt a little crowded and less relaxing than it could have been. We also wished the rooftop stayed open later. It closed at dark, and food service there was limited to delicious elevated "snacks" that stopped at 18:00. Serving dinner up there, or offering drinks beneath the stars, would have been great. The room staff and food were top notch, but ordering wasn't straightforward. The website mentioned breakfast in the room, yet there was no menu. We could call and order from the buffet, but had to know the available choices without seeing a list. Still, it was a great hotel. Hopefully they make a few adjustments.

We could walk to about 90% of the places we wanted to see, which suits us since we like wandering around big cities. But sometimes you need a taxi, and the taxi situation was frustrating. Los Rambles was completely torn up, more than we'd realized until we arrived. Taxis waited out front each morning, but wouldn't take us anywhere unless we were going to the airport. When we asked the hotel employee who coordinates taxis to get us one, he declined and just pointed out that Los Rambles was torn up. No kidding, lol. That was my only complaint. The women at the front desk were wonderful, and everyone else was delightful. Our stay at 1898 was otherwise great. We were told on arrival that we'd been upgraded to an absolutely amazing suite, such a lovely welcome! I also had one of the best massages of my life at the spa. Des was fantastic. If you're staying here, I highly recommend using the spa.

The breakfast buffet was delicious, and I would suggest trying it. We spent one afternoon unwinding at the rooftop pool and bar/restaurant, then went back to the rooftop bar that evening for a drink and live music. The location was great for shopping and restaurants. We arrived around 8 a.m. after an overnight flight from the U.S. Iris greeted us warmly and told us our room was ready. It was so nice to leave our bags, freshen up quickly, and head out sightseeing. I'd definitely stay there again.

That rooftop terrace was a highlight, with lovely views and a peaceful place to relax around sunrise or sunset. The hotel's atmosphere felt calm and elegant, a good way to unwind after a day out exploring. Hotel 1898 is right in the heart of the city, so it was easy to see nearby sights. The staff were friendly, helpful and always ready with a smile, and our room was clean, comfortable and well kept. We had a wonderful stay and would gladly come back. Highly recommended for a Barcelona visit.