Barcelona's oldest and most central neighborhood is Las Ramblas, the heart of tourist activity and the place where locals come to meet each other, drink coffee and meander amid the magazine stands, fountains, street performers, portrait artists and pickpockets all hours of the day or night. This area is roughly a mile in length, includes sections of small streets running perpendicular to the actual Rambla, and stretches from the pigeon-studded Plaça de Catalunya, or central plaza, down to the busy Barcelona harbor.
Many of Barcelona's budget hotels are located in Las Ramblas, but two are actually located on La Rambla itself, providing proximity to the metro stations and to the famous Barcelona market, La Boqueria. These hotels, while ideally located, are also some of the noisiest, for La Rambla truly never sleeps. However, gazing out your window onto the perpetual street fair is the added advantage, especially when you are too tired to continue walking.
The International Cool Hotel, renovated in 2009, sits right on La Rambla and is only two minutes away from the metro Liceo. Opposite this hotel is the 150-year old historic Gran Teatro del Liceo, the Barcelona venue for opera.
Although the Hotel California is listed as a two-star hotel, it is also a budget hotel, for prices here start at 36 euros per person. Renovated in 2010, this hotel offers free internet Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
Internacional Cool Hotel
Calle Ramblas 78-80
Barcelona, Spain 08001
011-0034-93-302-2566
Hotel California
Calle Rauric 14
Barcelona, Spain 08002
011-0034-93-317-7766
hotelcaliforniabcn.com
Las Ramblas is in the heart of the Gothic neighborhood with its picturesque and narrow side streets winding their way to the Rambla. It is on these streets where you will find the most budget Ramblas hotels.
Since many of these hotels never show up on hotel lists because they have only one star or none, many are only found with a good tip from a fellow tourist or by exploring these streets on your own. The Roma Reial Hotel is not only one of these budget hotels, it is situated in the Plaça Real, a beautiful miniature square just off La Rambla, with a historic church and several tiny boutiques and cafes whose terraces extend out into the plaza, where you can enjoy the pigeons and frequent ringing of the church bells.
The Comercio Hotel is a short five-minute walk from La Rambla and, although it is not situated on a plaza, it offers budget accommodations and the enjoyment and atmosphere of living on a narrow street in the Gothic neighborhood.
Roma Reial Hotel
Plaça Reial 11
Barcelona, Spain 08002
011-0034-93-302-0366
hotel-romareial.com
Hotel Comercio
Calle Escudellers 15
Barcelona, Spain 08002
011-0034-93-318-7420
hotel-comercio.com
Hotel Lloret is a budget hotel located at the end of Las Ramblas, furthest from the harbor, near the large Catalan Plaza. It is one of the oldest historic hotels and has balconies (which most Las Ramblas hotels do not have). This hotel also offers Wi-Fi in the lobby and is air-conditioned. It is close to the airport bus, convenient for arriving in and departing from Barcelona.
Still considered a budget hotel by the Eurocheapo Review, although it does boast three stars, the Hotel Lleo has a jungle theme with 89 rooms and is located on the furthest outskirts of Las Ramblas. The 22 rooms with jacuzzis and the four rooms with private patios bear no extra charge.
Hotel Lloret
Calle Rambla Canaletas 125
Barcelona, Spain 08002
011-0034-93-317-3366
hlloret.com
Hotel Lleó
Calle Pelai 22-24
Barcelona, Spain 08001
011-0034-93-318-1312
hotel-lleo.com
