While Barcelona has lots of hip-and-trendy mid-range and upscale options, there's something to be said for utterly simple. No, the Hotel Atlantis won't win any style awards, but it's pleasant and clean, and is a fine home base for exploring. The hotel is housed in a historic six-story stone building with wrought iron balconies across the facade. Flags fly out front, and a white awning covers the glass front doors. Hallways have cushy sofas and chairs where guests can hang out. It's a simple hotel with few amenities, but it gets high marks for comfort and convenience. With its central location and free breakfast, it provides good value for all sorts of travelers, including couples, families, groups, individuals, and businesspeople. 

This hotel is centrally located on Pelai Street, a five- to 10-minute walk from Las Ramblas, Plaza Catalunya, and Passeig de Gracia. It's surrounded by shops, bars, and restaurants, and the city's best museum -- MACBA -- is only a five-minute walk away as well. The metro at Universitat or Catalunya is within a five-minute walk, and the swank Eixample district is just at the end of the block, behind University of Barcelona. Guests can walk to La Boqueria market in about 10 minutes and can get to La Sagrada Familia in about 15 minutes by using public transportation. It's a 15-minute metro ride to Barceloneta for access to the beach. Barcelona El Prat Airport is about 20 minutes away by car or 40 minutes by public transportation.  

Rooms are simple and basic, with hardwood floors, blue striped drapery, blue bed runners over white linens, and modern dark wood furniture. There's little to complain about, and they're perfectly adequate for an overnight recharge -- though streetside rooms may pick up some noise. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, kettles for tea and coffee, and laptop-sized safes. Tiled bathrooms are compact and come with hairdryers, magnifying mirrors, bidets, shower/tub combos, and little packages of toiletries. Suites add sofa beds in sitting areas. Some rooms have small balconies with nice views of the street, but others have dismal views of the concrete building next door. 

Features are slim here and are handiest for travelers on the go. A free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is served daily in a cozy little breakfast room with blue and white tablecloths. Guests with early flights can request breakfast to go. The adjacent bar has a few bar stools and a huge sectional for lounging, and it serves drinks and light fare. A flat-screen TV over the bar provides entertainment. Additional lounge seating where guests can hang out is available next to reception. An internet station in the lobby provides a computer and printer for guests to use. A meeting room can accommodate up to 16 people, and Wi-Fi is free throughout.