Hotel Barcelona Universal

We had a lovely stay at Hotel Barcelona Universal. It was a great base for exploring the city. Hotel: Check-in was smooth, with an online process where you scan passports and enter details. This is worth doing in advance to save time. Reception staff were friendly and attentive, and the hotel was clean throughout. The rooftop pool offers beautiful 360° views, including the Sagrada Família and Montjuic, with plenty of loungers. However, the pool was far too cold during our stay - more like an ice bath! I imagine it gets quite busy in summer. Room: One of the comfiest (and biggest!) beds we’ve ever slept in. There was some outside noise due to the busy road, but being on the 7th floor meant it didn’t disturb our sleep. The minibar is chargeable, but the fridge was handy for storing water. Plenty of storage space and a safe included. The TV had one British channel, but we didn’t spend much time watching anyway! The bathroom could do with a refurbishment - the shower temperature fluctuated a lot. Housekeeping was excellent, with the room cleaned daily to a high standard. Location: Set on a busy road, but very convenient. There’s a McDonald’s across the street, along with plenty of restaurants and supermarkets nearby. It’s on the edge of El Raval, which has a reputation for being less safe, but we had no issues at all - even walking through at 11pm felt completely fine. The metro station is right outside with two lines connecting to all major areas. Many sights are also within a 30-minute walk. Food: We only had breakfast, so can’t fully comment on dining overall. Unfortunately, it didn’t impress us. There were limited hot options, and some items like the bread and ham didn’t taste fresh. That said, the restaurant staff were very attentive and quick to clear plates. Overall, a lovely stay here! Comfortable, convenient and a good place to rest after a day in the city.

Next to the Paralel metro station and short walk to Las Ramblas this is a great hotel. Check in was seamless, rooms are large, well decorated and comfortable. Good bathroom facilities and everything you need included.

We visited Barcelona and stayed at this hotel between 9th - 13th March. The hotel itself is lovely, but would definitely not stay again due to the location, which is a shame. We noticed it was extremely loud during the night. There is unfortunately a lot of homelessness and begging right at the doorstep of the hotel and we encountered a few situations which were quite overwhelming and scary. We had a lovely welcoming when checking in and all the staff were great. The rooms were clean and comfortable. We had continuous tea and coffees at the hotel which were free of charge at reception. The rooms also has coffee and tea.

The bathroom was big. The rooftop was a nice social area to gather. Hotel right outside metro station bonus

Location was great! Great city view! Staff was friendly and accommodating.

As a resident physician with almost zero time for vacations, this has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. From the very first day, the staff at Barcelona Universal made us feel genuinely welcome and cared for. When we arrived, our car didn’t have parking available, but by the very next day they managed to make space for us in the hotel parking lot—something we deeply appreciated. Room service was impeccable, and despite the hotel being located next to a main street, the room was completely quiet. The view was both wonderful and deeply relaxing. Opening the doors and breathing in the air felt like you could truly smell and feel not only Barcelona, but Spain itself, right from your room. A very special thank you to Myriam Castro, the first person who contacted us months in advance to ask about our room preferences—kudos to you, ma’am. Thank you to Oscar, the wonderful Cuban-American Spanish dream-maker who is always smiling in the lobby no matter how busy it gets. Special thanks to Anargyros, one of the best human beings we have ever met, and to Gonza, Josephine, Carlos, and Marc Oliva. Barcelona Universal should be incredibly proud of this team. You are pure diamonds, and each one of you will always be in our hearts. As for the location, you can walk almost everywhere, close to nearly every main attraction. The food is exquisite, and the rooftop deserves a 10+.