A little disappointed

We stayed at the Barcino for 3 nights in October this year and we were a little disappointed to say the least.

It was a last minute internet type deal but we still payed more than we would at other hotels in the same area. On arrival the staff initially couldn't find our booking and then seemed pretty indifferent when they did.

Our room was much smaller than anticipated with only one window which offered no kind of view. The minibar had been plundered (presumably by the previous occupants) and we requested a refill no less than four times, each time promised that it would be done immediately - it got refilled at the end of the second day (and they had the cheek to try and charge me for the missing items when we checked out).

There was no tea/coffee making facilities in the room (advertised at the time of booking), no room service (again advertised at the time of booking - and even had a number displayed on the phone) and few if any other services. The coffee bar area was almost always closed.

The hotel is in a great location, within a 5 minute walk of Barcelona Cathedral (a must for any tourist - amazing views from the roof) and many other tourist attractions. We walked everywhere and felt very safe in the city, the only trouble we had was with beggars/street performers whenever we sat down for food outside restaurants. The interesting thing about this was that as soon as the locals realised you were a tourist and being hassled they come to your assistance!!

Overall the hotel was alright if you are looking for a very basic base for your holiday however it is entirely undeserving of it's pricetag and it's 4 star status. It has potential to be a nice hotel but serious effort would be required in the customer service and facilities departments.

I would not return to this hotel as I feel I could have got much better for the money in the same area.

Great position, medicore service , bring a kettle

sounds grand

wonderful postion

impressive bathrooms

mediocre service

no tea making facilitess in room- despite expedia listing

cold staff

realitively expensive

rated 4 stars by itself

3.5 via expedia

check out other hotels first

Great location, huge bathtub

My husband and I stayed here only one night after a 12-day cruise. The room was large, faced the light well, had a walk-in closet and a separate bathroom with a huge bathtub (a real treat after 12 days in a stateroom without one). We especially liked the location -- right on the edge of the gothic quarter and steps away from great restaurants, the Ramblas, and cathedral. Would stay here again.

Good/Ok hotel, great location

Stay in this hotel for its location and if you want to pay a bit more than usual. It's right on the gothic center, which is nice. However, we saw a robbery two blocks away in the middle of the afternoon. Definetely watch purses and bags around this area! They don't offer breakfast (14EUR if you want it) which makes the price of the rooms a bit overpriced for what you really get. The rooms are clean (the first day) but then the service slacked a bit and did not clean the rooms very well the next two days! (bathroom, bed, etc.). The towels were of a misterious off white color, which gave us the impression that they were dirty.

Good location though, that is pretty much it.

Wonderful hotel in heart of old Barcelona

After a week on the Costa Brava, my husband and I settled down for our last two days in Spain at the Gran Hotel Barcino. Locating the hotel took a bit a time - the streets in the old town look like alleys and are filled with tourists - but once we got there, it was a wonderful oasis. The room was large, cool and quite (even though on the 1st floor). The large tub was great for soaking after a day of sightseeing. The front desk was accomodating with wake up calls, helping us find the car rental return, and ordering a taxi to get us to the airport. The streets nearby are filled with cafes and restaurants. A favorite was the Cafe de l'Academie. It's half a block from the Jaume I subway stop. The price was very reasonable (I found a special on Travelocity). I would highly recommend this hotel.

Best Place To Stay in Barcelona

I visited Barcelona last week (17th May 2004) and found it to be one of the most fantastic vibrant cities I've visited so far! There's a good mix between tourists and locals, very cosmopolitan, and it was very easy to slide into the Catalonia way of life. We stayed at the Gran Hotel Barcino, situated in the Gothic Quarter. It was the most perfect location as it was 1 minutes stroll from the famous Las Ramblas, a stroll away from from Port Vell, and central to restaurants, bars and shopping. The nearest beach was a little further away - but was only a 15 minute walk away. We were delighted with the hotel and had a room which opened out onto a large private terrace, overlooking the rooftops and a Gaudi cathedral. It came complete with a sun lounger, table and chairs - perfect for a quick drink before heading out for the night! The only thing I didn't like about Barcelona was the service at some restaurants were very very slow, and found we were waiting quite a while to have our orders taken and have the bill brought to us - apart from that, it was perfect and I would definitely like to visit again.

Good hotel

Grupo Gargallo owns three hotels on Jaume I. I booked the Suizo Hotel which is right at the metro station. All night long drunks were howling outside the window and I was honestly not impressed with the room, although the balconey was nice. So I walked down to Hotel Gran Barcino and looked at their rooms. They were much nicer and had rooms available off of the street, much quieter. The room was priced nearly 100E more, but they gave me the room for practically the same price and they weren't put out at all about us moving. The location is great, I would recommend it to anyone.

It was OK...

The staff are friendly, but the hotel wasn't that clean. The location is excellent though as it's in the Gothic Quarter and close to Las Ramblas and lots of typical windey old cobbled streets.

Fabulous hotel

I stayed just a few days at the Gran Hotel Barcino in October 2003, and wish it could have been longer. The hotel is ideally situated just a block from the Cathedral in the Barri Gotic, the room was very comfortable and the staff helpful. Right across the street is a great snack shop that serves wonderful crepes and sandwiches. I would most certainly stay there again, unless I was traveling on an expense account and could afford a more deluxe place. But even then, I might choose this hotel because I love the location.