Gran Ronda - Barcelona, Spain     

We were unhappy with this hotel and recommend that you find another place to stay. To be fair and balanced, here are the positives: The room and bathroom were an adequate size. The bathroom had a full tub and shower. There is a refrigerator in the room, and free wireless internet. The location is good with access to the Metro train and walking distance to La Rambla. The room is very clean. Breakfast is served in the hotel (for an additional charge). We didn't eat breakfast here, but our travel companions did and thought it was good. Ok, now the negatives: The only room they had available was a room without windows. When we expressed displeasure, the answer was pretty much "too bad" (and we heard that tone of response a lot). Without a window, the fact tha the air conditioner did not work was a problem. We complained about it all 3 days, and while they said they sent repairmen, it never did work properly (the hallway was always cooler). The mattresses are very firm. They mistakenly gave us a wake-up call that we didn't order (our first morning when we were jetlagged and needed our sleep). Slow sink drain. No facial tissues. Laundry is outrageously priced - 8-euros for pants, almost 5-euros for undergarments (for laundry, dry cleaning was more). We asked the front desk what the phone charges were for local and toll-free calls, and they didn't know (couldn't they look that info up somewhere?). The issues overall were minor, but taken together, and along with a truly indifferent/borderline rude front desk made for a below-average experience. There are tons of hotels -- I'd just go somewhere else.

We stayed at hotel gran ronda for 3 nights, we had asked our travel agent to call hotel and ask for early check in as we were coming straight off a cruise ship, she was told by guy on phone as long as we have empty rooms not a problem, night before we were meant to arrive we checked internet and yes rooms available. Next morning we were up at 6am off ship by 9 in hotel by 9.30am-ish, went to desk got told room wouldnt be ready till 2pm! Said ok but asked for a room to the front with balcony said fine that would be ok. went back to hotel 1.50pm room still not ready said havent you got anything, he said we can get another room ready in 20 mins or so! but it isnt a front room and wont have a balcony. What they had been doing in past 4 and a bit hours is still a mystery!! By this time we were exhausted and said fine whatever. Room was small, smaller than our balcony cabin on ship. we had a big patio door/window which looked out onto a junk tip. That night we went to front desk and a nice guy called sebastian recommended a lovely paella place at port olympic which was really great. he definately was the best of the front desk people. the other 2 we encountered were very much blah about everything. Our next encounter with them was our next to last night our flight wasnt till 9pm we asked for late check out, was told check out was 12 noon and if we wanted to stay even 2 hours later be a full day of 70 odd euros. We declined. Check out day they stored our luggage for us and we could use lobby facilities. Hotel is handy for metro and placa cataluyna there is a small spar shop opposite way from placa cataluyna. Port olympic is a must visit as is sagrida famillia, We did the tour bus red and blue routes and went to the nou camp which is on red route bus stops right outside front door.