Onix Liceo - Barcelona, Spain     

Ignore the negative reviews. This is a great hotel- reasonably priced, a location which couldn't really get any more central and a beautiful, unusual building. The nearby El Raval neighbourhood (what use to be the slums) is easily avoided- walk 100 metres down the street the hotel is on and you'll be on Las Ramblas. We did take a wander through El Raval, and whilst it is not as picturesque and beautiful as the rest of the city, we didn 't feel threatened. I'd probably compare the street life in Ev Raval to Amsterdam- there are a few people trying to sell you drugs and some tramps but they are easily avoided and won't give you any hassle. The hotel is excellently located for the Metro and for the main streets. The room was clean and decorated in minimalist chic. The free coffee, water and apples in the beautiful downstairs lounge were also appreciated. We weren't offered breakfast but we didn't care- there is a great bakery about four doors down selling croissants and pain au chocolat for under a Euro each. We ate them sat on a monument on Las Ramblas watching the world go by and thinking how lucky we were to be in such a beautiful and colourful city for the New Year.

This was a great steal! I read about the Hotel Onix Liceo in Conde Nast Magazine - a quick little write up. This hotel was more than $100.00 less per night than other hotels in the area. The area is fine although they "alley" that it is down looks a little shady. WIth that said - if anyone has traveled around Europe you see the metal coverings to shops that have grafitti on them. When the shops open all of this is gone. The staff of this hotel is excellent. All of them spoke great English - although if you know a little Spanish it goes a long way! Talk to Oscer for restaurant recommendations...Origens 99% was the BEST for authetic Catalonian food! Yum! The hotel is only 6 months old (I traveled in September) although classy, offers free interenet, unlimited free bottled water, free coffee/americanos/capps (you have to know how to work the machine - push a button or two). Enjoy!!!