Had three nights in this hotel after reading all the reviews and was not disapointed. got the train( renfe) from the airport to Barcelona sants.you then require another ticket for the metro and then got the metro train to paral-lel , Station is right outside the hotel.

I went there on August 2008 with some friends ! It is well located,just for young people who want to go out they have to take the metro because the good places to make party are in the Port Olympic and that's quite far away. but you can always take the taxi which is not expensive ! the hotel is near the ramblas + plaça catalunya ! the metro station is directly in front of the hotel which is very good. the rooms are very tidy and not too small.the only thing is that the beds are a bit uncomfortable,but that's just my impression! the pool is very small and when you want to get a place you have to go there very early.we never went there,there were to much people for such a small place! the hotel is also located in a poorer area I think and when you first see it,you are a bit shocked,but it's not that bad.but all in all we had a wonderful holiday with a good hotel:)

Excellent hotel and highly recommended. The hotel, itself is situated about a €23 taxi ride from the airport and this is the only drawback. It is located a 10 min walk from the gorgeous Port Vell and the beginning of Las Ramblas, the main tourist thoroughfare in Barcelona. The area around the hotel is quite run-down and there are many stree-side restaurants, serving 'tourist food' i.e. arroz negro and paella....avoid!!!!

The rate for the centre of Barcelona was excellent and was booked through www.booking.com, and on arrival, we were up-graded to a junior suite at no extra charge. This gave us a sitting room and loads of wardrobe space (not that we needed it for 3 days!)The room was spotless and the bathroom was extremely clean with surround sound music, if you wanted it.

We didn't use the pool or gym facilities so I can't comment on them and we didn't eat or drink in the hotel. There are plenty little cafes serving whatever you want, on and off Las Ramblas so when a breakfast is €17, I'd rather go out to eat than stay in and be disappointed.

On the day we were leaving, we could leave our luggage in a secure room in the hotel, safe in the knowledge that it wasn't going to be stolen. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful.

Barcelona would not be a city that I would be quick to return to, but if I was, I wouldn't hesitate to stay at this hotel.

Just returned from Barcelona Universal having had a fantastic 5 days.
Reception staff were very friendly and helpful. The room was small but clean and quiet with a safe, mini bar etc. On the down side it didn't have any external windows but on the plus side it meant it was a very quiet room which I had requested.
The pool as already noted by others is small but so refreshing after a day's sightseeing and the views from the terrace are wonderful. It did get a bit crowded at the end of the day but I managed to get a deckchair each day without a problem.
The hotel is literally 5 mins from Las Ramblas and has a metro station immediately outside making it easy to get to the tourist sights. However the city is compact and generally it is easy to walk everywhere. We enjoyed a leisurely stroll to the beach and the Gaudi houses.
I really loved Barcelona and would definately recommend this hotel.
Like any city take care with your belongings and use the safe which is free. We did meet others who had bags stolen as they got out of a taxi and there were always a few tourists in the police station around the corner. We didn't experience any problems although we noted a few shady characters on the metro but we didn't take any chances.
We found the restaurants on La Ramblas are very expensive as they add a surcharge for eating outside but we managed to eat well just off La Ramblas.
It is however worth paying the extra for a drink on La Ramblas just to experience the street entertainment which is very funny.