The Abba Sants is not in the most obvious location in Barcelona - you're not especially close to the Ramblas or any of the other main attractions. However, it's right beside the underground and the main train line so it's incredibly easy to get around.

In essence, it's a business hotel and we didn't see a great number of tourists there. The rooms have that 'business traveller' feel: they're well appointed, and definitely classier than a travelodge, but there's nothing extraordinary or special.

The service was exceptional. The staff were efficient and friendly, despite our broken Spanish. At times, we felt the business clients got preferential treatment in the bar, etc, but it was hardly a problem. Particularly when they served such spectacular Irish Coffee!!!

A great hotel for those visiting Barcelona on a budget. We'd certainly go back.

We stayed here in May last year and it exceeded all expectations, very clean, well presented rooms, friendly staff and conveniently located next to the Metro.

I can without a doubt say that I will definately be coming back here very soon.

I cant comment on the breakfast as I was on a room only basis but the cafe across the road was beautiful.

Your only a Metro ride away from the "Las Ramblas" so nights out are easy and just catch a taxi back.

I would recommend this to anyone.

Well, guys, I really do not understand why all of reviewers here are so happy with this hotel. I booked it purely due to very positive comments here, but now I wouldn’t say it is so pretty place. To be clear – the hotel & services aren’t bad, even more, they are quite good – but nothing more than that. So let’s say – just a bit above an average 3+ or 4 star hotel and I would really doubt that this hotel is worth to be #17 (right now) in total of 300+ hotels rating…

Yes, location is good if you are like to be close to Sants Estacio or come in to hotel or get out from that very often through a day and use a metro for these trips. Marble bathrooms are looking nice too. What else good..? Nothing from my mind – see in details below.

Rooms – not that big and spacey (had a standard double), just Ok in size, although for 2 people I would like to get more space, especially considering that this hotel is a new building. Bedroom and bathroom are clean at 1st glance, but do not look deeper. Lack of toiletries (hair conditioner), lack of complementary water or drinks, no kettle in room with coffee / tea / choco, no chocolates on pillow with “good night and have a nice sleep”.. (ohh, Renaissance, why you aren’t here in Barsa..?).

Air-conditioning is very tricky one – I didn’t get it to work properly and actually had a feeling that it is just centrally switched off, although visually it made of lot of noise and even tried to push some air, but that wasn’t enough to change the temperature in room. So I succeed with opening a window for couple of minutes and thus getting a fresh air into the room (thanks to winter time).

Lobby is very small and restaurant is literally behind the lobby, joint by lobby bar. This actually means that on evenings this area is very crowded and smells like hell due to many of smokers and real lack of good ventilation.

We only had breakfasts (buffet) in the hotel and those I would rate as 3 on 5 levels scale. Only one choice of juice (orange), limited choice of cheese, limited choice of hot meals (forget about beans or grilled tomato), no any fish, limited choice of milk products – all these are not that critical, but really not up to good 4-star hotel in my opinion.

Staff is just Ok, I would say neutral – nothing especially good, but nothing bad too.

Finally, there is no wi-fi in rooms and there is no internal pool or at least Jacuzzi.

As a final word, I had a chance to be shortly in two more hotels in Barcelona – Fira Palace and Hotel Icaria. I found Fira Palace very cozy and much more attractive for relaxed stay / tourist type visit. As for Hotel Icaria, positioned as business type of hotel, it is modern, but not particularly convenient and also feels like have some lack of good management. Probably next time visiting Barsa on personal I will go for Fira Palace, which was just a couple of euros more expensive.

I recommend this hotel. Great for those who want to take the train in from the airport. You can wheel your bags two blocks to the hotel and avoid the taxi fare. A small bakery across the street is great for breakfast. There is an internet shop one block away. I paid 40 cents for fifteen minutes to check my emails. The subway stop stairs are right out the door of the hotel. We stayed on the 7th floor and the room was fine and quiet.
The bus touristic which I dont recommend stops at the train station by the way.