Calle Pallars 121-125, Barcelona, Spain | (251) 219-4428
Within walking distance of the beach and public transportation
Contemporary rooms with flat-screen TVs and minibars; suites with kitchenettes
Sunny rooftop pool surrounded by a deck and loungers
Spa with indoor pool, hot tubs, gym, treatments, and saunas
Mediterranean restaurant, trendy bar, and 24-hour room service
Large breakfast buffet with a diverse selection (included in some rates)
Meeting rooms and outdoor event spaces
Public computer and printer
Private parking and airport transfers (for a fee)
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Outside city center in a gritty area
Fee to use spa facilities
Some bathrooms don’t offer privacy with open-floor plan
Complaints concerning noise from nearby nightclub
Rooms lack tea- and coffee-making facilities
The four-pearl Hotel & Spa Villa Olimpica Suites is a 150-room hotel with lots of features, including a large spa with an indoor pool, hot tubs, and a gym. All rooms have flat-screen TVs and minibars, though bathrooms with glass walls may not offer a lot of privacy. However, the hotel is located in an industrial neighborhood -- an area filled with graffiti, nightclubs, and little in terms of dining options or attractions. There's also a fee to use the outdoor pool. Travelers set on swimming who don't want to pay extra for the privilege might want to consider the nearby AC Hotel Barcelona, which offers views of the ocean from some rooms and the rooftop pool.
Scene
Stylish, upscale hotel that attracts vacationing couples and business travelers
The Hotel & Spa Villa Olimpica Suites is a modern hotel that opened in 2009. It sits in an unimpressive gray stone building, though the modern and sleek interior creates an upscale atmosphere. The lobby has a futuristic vibe, with white floors, white walls, and white furniture, that’s broken up by chrome columns, gray rugs, and some dark wood-paneled walls. The restaurant is more inviting, with warm colors, wooden tables with orange and brown chairs, and rectangular hanging lamps. The bar has wooden floors, a bar with glossy black-and-white surfaces, and futuristic red chairs and black bar stools. The hotel’s best space is the large outdoor wooden patio surrounding the pool. It features a wooden cabana, potted plants, and even areas of green grass. Most guests are vacationing couples or business travelers.
Location
Within walking distance of the beach and public transportation, but far from most attractions
The big appeal of this hotel is that it’s only a 15-minute walk to the beach. It's located in the neighborhood of Poblenou, known as the “technology district,” and surrounded by industrial buildings, a nightclub, and some dining options. The location isn’t central for sightseeing, and the closest attractions are the Ciutadella Park, a 12-minute walk away, and Sagrada Familia, which is 24 minutes on foot. La Villa Olimpica (the Olympic Village) is an 11-minute walk from the hotel. La Rambla and Gaudi's La Pedrera, are best reached by metro (trips are 22 minutes and 29 minutes, respectively). The closest metro is a four-minute walk away, and there’s a bus stop that’s a minutes’ walk from the property. It’s a 20-minute drive to Barcelona Airport.
Rooms
Modern rooms and suites with snappy decor, minibars, and kitchenettes in some
The 150 rooms and suites at this hotel are comfortable -- though not always spacious -- and have neutral decor with pops of red and a minimalist design. Dark-wood floors match wooden headboards with white padding, while gray-and-white striped curtains echo the throw pillows and black-and-white prints above the beds. All rooms come with air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and minibars. Suites and Family Rooms have separate living rooms, while Studios and Suites are equipped with kitchenettes complete with microwaves, sinks, and two-burner stoves. However, none of the rooms have tea- and coffee-making facilities. White-tiled bathrooms are a decent size with glass sinks, and either walk-in showers or shower/tub combos with glass doors. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Note that some bathrooms are set up in an open-floor plan, meaning the walls are made of privacy-compromising glass. Also, there have been some complaints of noise in the early hours from a nearby nightclub.
Features
Extensive spa, outdoor and indoor pool, gym, restaurant, bar, and meeting rooms
Features at the Hotel & Spa Olimpica Suites are upscale. The on-site spa is luxe and extensive, with an indoor therapy pool, multiple hot tubs, thermal and steam baths, Vichy showers, and a decent-sized gym with cardio and weight-training equipment. Massages are also available, but guests not getting treatments must pay a fee to use the facilities. There’s also a small outdoor pool surrounded by a lovely sundeck with shaded seating and a bar open in the summer months. Many events are held in the outdoor spaces around the pool, though the hotel usually gives notices of this on their website. The Origines Restaurant serves a large breakfast buffet with hot and cold items each morning (included in some room rates) and Mediterranean dishes for dinner. There's also a trendy indoor bar serving a variety of drinks. Fully equipped meeting rooms are nice perks for business travelers, as are two public computers and a printer. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Parking is available on-site for a daily fee.