Silken St. Gervasi - Barcelona, Spain 

Lovely hotel, however on arrival was informed our double room was unavailable that night, so we were offered a single that night and a suite the next 2 days- I booked pretty late before visiting so got the impression the hotel took our booking knowing there was no double room available but wanted as many rooms as possible full. Read a number of other reviews also saying this happened to other people. Nice hotel- but be wary if this would be inconvenient to you!

Just returned from 5 night stay. Booked at last minute based on reviews & price. Location & Directions: Although this is out of city centre, the advantage is it's quieter, better value & the train station is 2mins away. The maps on the site & Google aren't that accurate, so follow these directions: From airport get the blue aerobus to the terminus at Placa Catalunya (it only costs 7 Euros return & takes about half an hour). At Pl Catalunya, cross to the opposite side of the square (like a big roundabout) & on the corner of the next street look for the sign for FGC station. If you're here for a few days, select the T10 ticket option - this allows 10 journeys on any Metro/FCG Train/Bus in Zone 1 (otherwise just get a single for 1.30 Euros). Take the brown Line 7 to El Putxet Station (5 stops to Pl Catalunya) - takes less than 10mins. When leaving El Putxet, as you come up the steps, bear right & use the exit signposted 'C. Joaquim Folgeura'. At street level, turn right & look for 'Mercat de Sant Gervasi' (an indoor meat/fruit & veg market). Walk down the side of this & across a pedestrianised square to the road that runs parallel to the one you left. The road you are then on is Carrera de St Gervasi de Cassoles (which is the actual address for the hotel). Head left down this road & about 200 yards on the left is the hotel (opposite the SPAR supermarket). There's several cafe's, tapas bars & restaurants nearby (the hotel breakfast was ok for the money, but the evening meal we had was overpriced & they even charged us for the bread rolls!). As it's a residential area, take your phrasebook with you as, unlike in the city, the local restaurants don't have the menus in English. Alternatively, get the train back into the City for lots of choice. Staff on reception speak good English & were very helpful. Room: We had room 5 to the left of reception on the ground floor. Was a little concerned about noise, but it wasn't that bad, apart from the noisy guests above us who thankfully left after 2 nights. This room had the advantage of a small balcony, but only actually got sun for about half an hour. Room 6 next door was better positioned, but as the rooms face into an internal 'courtyard', the surrounding walls tend to block much of the sun. The room was a good size with a decent sized bed, wardrobes & safe deposit box . Decor is contemporary & functional, although TV picture quality was poor. There's a small mini bar with enough room to store some water/soft drinks from the SPAR across the road. No tea/coffee facilities in room (seems to be a common theme in Barcelona!). Bathroom was good size with shower/bath & hairdryer. Good range of complimentary toiletries i.e. tissues/ toothbrush & paste/disposable razor & cream/small bottles of shampoo & bath gel/bath sponge/comb, but only a 2inch square piece of soap! Aircon works, but heating didn't (we had mixed weather, so had to turn off air con to keep room warmer). Out & about: To get back to city take FCG train to Placa Catalunya - you're then at the top end of Las Rambla & can use Metro to most places from there. Alternatively, if you want to visit Park Guell, just turn left out of hotel & when you reach main road, cross over to other side & walk up to the right about 200 yards to get the no: 74 bus - tell the driver where you want to go & they'll happily tell you when you're at the right stop (think it's near Larrard). At the drop off, cross over the dual carriage way & walk down to the left then take the 2nd right up the hill - it's signposted up to Park Guell. To get to the city from there look for the park exit nearest to Valcarca Metro station (near Glories?) - it's about 400 yards downhill to the station & turn right at the main road (again it's signposted all the way).