Grupotel Gravina - Barcelona, Spain     

Like others we booked the hotel following the positive reviews on this site. It certainly lived up to expectations. We stayed in Graviina II which is linked to the main hotel. It does mean a little walk from reception but it really isn't far and I think this part of the hotel complex must have the larger rooms. Ours was an excellent size, something I hadn't expected given some of the reviews read. I agree with everyone who praised the reception given on arrival. The breakfast too was full of choice and the breakfast room light and airy. The hotel was easy enough to find and brilliantly located. Like others I would recommend taking the Aerobus from the airport. the closest stop is Placa Universitat but if you pass this stop the hotel is only a 5 min walk from the final stop on the journey (Placa Catalunya). Take the hop on hop off tourist bus to take in the main tourist sites of the city. You'll save time doing it this way. The time you do save should of course be used to walk "La Ramblas" but don't be afraid to dart left or right off it to explore the maze of streets that make up the Barri Gothic & Raval areas. These areas represent old Barcelona and have some great shops, restaurants and bars. Parts of the Raval do get a bit dodgy at night though!! You'll love Barcelona and for less than £40 a night B & B (if you shop around) you can do a lot worse than making the Hotel Gravina your base.

I booked this hotel for our stay (my partner and I) in Barcelona after reading other reviews on this site. It is an excellent hotel. It is very close to Las Ramblas (lots of shops, bars, restaurants etc) and about 2 minutes from the Metro. There is a shuttle Bus which leaves from outside all Airport Terminals, which takes you to the top of Las Ramblas, and the hotel is about a 5 minute walk from here (10 with a suitcase)! We arrived at about 12 noon, and although you cannot check in until 2, you are welcome to leave the suitcase behind reception. All the staff we spoke to spoke good English, even after I made my introductions in Spanish! There are 2 lifts to take you to the rooms. We were on the second floor, and our window overlooked the street. I was a little bit anxious that it would be noisy, but although audible, the daily bustle is not intrusive at all. The rooms are exceptionally clean, and there is a lovely bathroom with a nice powerful shower. I believe some people have said their rooms have been small, but ours was a nice size. The Breakfast is served from 7-10.30AM, and is lovely! Lots of choice, and all fresh. There is a little shop next door to the hotel where we bought water and munchies, which is also ideal. There is also 2 computers in the lobby with free internet access. Barcelona itself is very nice. We arrived on Saturday & flew home on Monday. We did not do everything the guide books suggests, but we had a mooch round the shops on Saturday, visited Sagrada Familia (well worth a visit), and the Spanish Arc di Triumpf, and the park which is near to this. All I would suggest is to perhaps stay an extra day, so you get to see a little more than we did. We had a lovely time, and this is a lovely hotel, with nice food and helpful staff. I would recommend it to anyone.