Hotel Ingles

The hotel’s in a great spot, but the room was small and the basics were lacking. There was no kettle or coffee maker, and I had to bite open the single-use shampoo and body wash containers. I even got shampoo in my mouth once. The bed was small but comfortable; the pillows were worn out and either too flat or too thick when folded over. On our last night, people slammed doors and screamed around midnight, so I lost sleep before an early airport trip. At checkout around 4:45, the clerk asked a woman coming in where she was going. Judging by how she was dressed, she was probably there for business.

We stayed for two nights, and it was very convenient for exploring Barcelona. The room was basic but spacious and clean, as was the bathroom, and we liked having a balcony. Staff were welcoming, check-in went smoothly, and someone was always available at reception around the clock. When we checked out around 6:30am, the receptionist kindly warned us to be careful and not take our phones out, as there were few people on the streets. The location is central, with the metro about two minutes away. Pg. de Gràcia, with its attractions and luxury shops, is two stops away, and it takes around 40 minutes by metro to reach the airport. There are also several restaurants and souvenir shops nearby. On weekend nights it can get noisy: a nearby bar meant we were woken around 5am by drunk people talking and yelling. Still, given how expensive other hotels are, I’d recommend it for a few nights of sightseeing.

The location was ideal, right in the Gothic Quarter and seconds from Las Ramblas. For a budget hotel, I got more than I expected, and it was worth the money. I felt safe and comfortable throughout my five-night August stay. Reception staff were friendly and informative, and the room, bedding, and towels were all very clean. The beds were comfortable, a bit firm, which suits me. I was lucky to get a spacious twin room at the back, with a lovely French balcony and gorgeous church views. I woke to the bells and heard no street noise. The room was serviced when needed. The air conditioning was a little old, but with the windows shut and AC running constantly, the temperature stayed comfortable. Some nights I also ran a personal fan. There was no kettle, so I bought one myself. I’d recommend the hotel and stay again.

I liked having a mini fridge and a safe in the room, and the amenities suited me well. Bring an extra card for the slot if you want the lights and air conditioning to stay on while you’re out; they switch off when there’s no card in it. I left mine in to keep the room cool, with the lights off. The only thing I needed to bring was a wash towel. The front desk staff were all very friendly. The hotel is right in the middle of everything, close to food, cute boutiques, and the subway, and just one block from La Ramblas. I’ll definitely stay here again when I return to Barcelona.