Set in a modern block, this budget hotel has a clean and minimalist style from the outside, as well as in. A fresh lime green and white color scheme dominates the building, and glass sliding doors lead into a bright lobby. It has minimalist furniture in the seating areas, wall-hung potted plants, and a pale wood reception desk to match the flooring. It all looks a bit Scandinavian, with its restrained palette and funky flair. The property attracts budget-conscious travelers who don't mind being slightly outside of the city center. Families and couples often stay here, as do many business guests visiting the nearby convention centers.

The hotel is located in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona, which is a quiet and safe part of town with an authentic, local vibe (in other words, it's far from the tourist masses in the center of town). There are plenty of traditional restaurants and shops in the area, and it’s just a seven-minute walk to the charming Plaza Osca, which is full of popular outdoor cafes. The hotel is a five-minute walk from a bus stop as well as both Plaza de Sants and Mercat Nou Metro stations. From there, it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the center of the city and all of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions, like Las Ramblas and Barri Gotic. The hotel is popular with business guests as it’s only a 10-minute walk to the BCN Montjuic convention center, and around a 15-minute walk to the Fira de Barcelona -- one of the largest venues in Europe for trade shows and conventions. Barcelona-El Prat Airport is a 20-minute drive away, or around an hour by metro.

The 55 guest rooms at SmartRoom Barcelona are decked out in fresh, contemporary decor that won't be a surprise after seeing the public spaces downstairs. Expect plenty of green and white hues alongside pale wood floors, doors, and headboards. Small throw pillows add a little something extra to look at, and come in funky patterns, but there's nothing in the way of wall art, in keeping with the minimalist aesthetic of the hotel. Amenities are fairly basic, with just a hanging rail and a couple of shelves serving as a closet, but there is a wall-mounted flat screen smart TV with satellite channels, a small desk, air-conditioning, and free Wi-Fi. Rooms are available as Twin, Double, and Quadruple. Some rooms overlook a small interior courtyard, while others have extensive views over the city. Rooms with a private terrace are also available. Bathrooms are fairly basic and just have a small shower cubicle but no bathtub. Fixtures are all modern and the bathrooms are bright, but there's little in the way of counter space around the sinks. Free toiletries and a hairdryer are provided. There have been complaints of noise in some street-facing rooms on occasion.

Facilities at this budget hotel are sparse, but it does have a breakfast room where a daily buffet breakfast is provided, although this is not included in the room rate. It’s a good continental spread of local pastries, cheese, meats, cereals, yogurts, cookies, and fruit juice and coffee. The hotel also has a special "Relax Zone" where hot and cold refreshments are available and snacks can be bought at any time of day or night from the vending machines. The property also provides free self-service luggage lockers, free Wi-Fi throughout the building, and a meeting room for business guests which can accommodate up to 12 people. The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day.