Hesperia Barcelona Presidente

Dating back to 1964, the Hesperia Presidente is located in a tall gray building with a three-story rounded entryway topped with flags from around the world. Inside, the lobby is bright thanks to off-white tile floors and matching sofas, beige walls, and ample recessed lighting. A pair of narrow elevators lead up to floors above, and a stairway leads up to the open-plan Lounge Bar, which features a mix of bright-orange and more neutrally hued furniture and has tall windows that look out to the street below. Although the overall vibe is more aimed toward corporate travelers, the hotel also attracts tourists, including plenty of families. 

Hesperia Presidente is located in the Eixample neighborhood, an area known for housing some of the city's best examples of modernist architecture, including Antoni Gaudi's Casa Mila building and Sagrada Familia church. The neighborhood also has a vibrant nightlife scene, with gay bars and clubs, plus great restaurants and lots of shopping, particularly on Passeig de Gracia (a five-minute drive away). It's a nine-minute walk to Camp Nou (FC Barcelona) soccer stadium and a 12-minute walk to Mercat de la Boqueria for shopping. The Diagonal metro station is a 13-minute walk away. The hotel is an eight-minute drive to Parc Guell and Casa-Museu Gaudi. Monestir de Pedralbes, a former monastery that is now a museum, is a 10-minute drive away. Anticipate a 13-minute drive to the Port of Barcelona. It's a 15-minute drive to the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) and to the Picasso Museum. Plan on a 20-minute drive to Tibidabo Amusement Park and to the Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN). 

The Hesperia Presidente offers Standard and Superior Rooms, plus Junior Suites, all of which sleep two or three people (some have sleeper sofas). All rooms have a similarly unusual decor scheme featuring mustard yellow bed skirts and pea green crushed-velvet benches. Black-and-white photographic prints hang on the walls. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars. Bathrooms have neutral decor, with dark, polished vanity areas. Hairdryers and magnifying mirrors are provided, plus large walk-in rainfall showers have wall jets. Some Superior bathrooms add tubs, and Junior Suites include bathrobes.

Facilities at the Hesperia are aimed squarely at business travelers and include eight meeting rooms for rent, the largest of which can seat up to 220 people, banquet style. Most meeting rooms are on higher floors and have city views. The fitness center is located on the ninth floor and offers free weights plus a few cardio and weight-training machines. It looks out over a sunbathing terrace furnished with lounge chairs and spruced up with lots of potted plants. A single massage bed is provided in a small room. Dining options include a continental breakfast buffet served daily (for a fee), with hot dishes available on request. For lunch and dinner, Essence Restaurant features international and Mediterranean fare. There's also a bar, Presidente, which opens early and stays open late and serves tapas throughout the day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Service animals are allowed, but pets are not.