Right on Las Ramblas, the hotel is in an excellent location for tourists. The building is older however and the decor is in need of updating. The glass doors from the street open into a small lobby with a wooden front desk. Guests have to venture to a basement-like room with tile floors for the hot and cold breakfast buffet. The on-site, spacious restaurant does have a certain charm with blue padded wall cushions and blue and gold details in the ceiling and columns.

The property is located on the popular, tree-lined Las Ramblas pedestrian mall, which offers an array of shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. Major attractions are within walking distance, including Barcelona Cathedral and Saint James Square. Music lovers can indulge in the sounds of the Jamboree Jazz and Dance Club, about a block east. The harbor is also nearby, only a 12-minute jaunt by foot, while reaching the airport requires less than a 20-minute drive. For further explorations of the city, guest can walk either to the Liceu or Drassanes Metro lines.

Hotel Ramblas’ rooms are bland and generally out-of-date, with light wooden furniture and minimal decor. Some spaces have hardwood floors while others use carpeting, and all rooms have TVs with satellite channels and mini-fridges. In certain rooms terraces overlook the busy street; keep in mind the surrounding area can get loud at night. Toothbrushes and mini-tubes of toothpaste are a nice touch in the amenities basket, but some guests have complained of a smell in the bathrooms.

The best feature of the hotel is its location, as there are very limited on-site amenities. There is a free breakfast buffet with hot and cold items and a restaurant that’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Free Wi-Fi is also offered in rooms and public spaces.