C/ Simon Oller, 1 Principal, Barcelona, Spain | (251) 219-4428
Gothic Quarter location, close to beach, Las Ramblas, and nightlife
Walk to four metro stations within five minutes
Basic, clean rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms and/or balconies
Communal area with TV, microwave, and mini-fridge
Daily housekeeping
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No air-conditioning or TVs
Some rooms lack en-suite bathrooms
Noise can be an issue in certain rooms
No meal service on-site
The 24-room Pension Segre is a value hotel with an excellent location in the Gothic Quarter. It's close to the beach, nightlife, restaurants, and Las Ramblas, and public transportation is nearby as well. Rooms are basic and no frills, but some have en-suite bathrooms and/or balconies. There's no air-conditioning, which can be rough in the summer, and only floor or table fans are offered for cooling. There's also nothing in the way of features here aside from a communal area with a small TV, microwave, and mini-fridge. Most guests who stay here do so for the price and the location. Travelers looking for a more colorful budget property could check out the funky Generator Barcelona, which also offers features like a bar and social events that add a ton of value.
Scene
Simple, no-frills hotel suitable for travelers prizing location over frills
From the street, there's not much to distinguish this hotel from the many other classic buildings of the area. That first impression says a lot about this hotel, as it's not memorable beyond being a clean place to sleep at night in a great location. You'll see a bit of graffiti next to the large wooden doors, and once inside, it's all function over form. The reception area is small, with just a front desk, a couple of chairs, and racks of tourist brochures. Traditional artwork hangs on the walls, along with a deer head. Guests can use the stairs or small elevator to access the second floor, where the rooms are located. This place is suitable for unfussy travelers looking for a cheap place to crash at night in a great location. Frills, otherwise, are few,
Location
Prime Gothic Quarter, close to beach, Las Ramblas, and trendy El Born
This hotel is situated on a corner in the Gothic Quarter, close to the beach and a 10-minute walk from La Rambla. The surrounding blocks are narrow and winding, packed with other budget hotels, cafes, and shops. It's a good location for those who want to experience Barcelona's nightlife, as the hyper-trendy El Born area is within a five-minute walk, as is club-heavy Plaza Real. There are numerous dining options nearby as well. The Picasso Museum can be reached in 10 minutes on foot, as can Estacio de Franca train station. Four metro stations are within a five-minute walk, including Jaume I and Barceloneta. It will take about 30 minutes to reach Sagrada Familia by metro from the hotel. Barcelona El Prat Airport is 35 minutes away by car, or 40 minutes by public transportation.
Rooms
Basic, no-frills rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms, some with balconies
Rooms are basic and no frills, with tiled floors, half-tiled or paneled walls, and old-style bedspreads in various colors. Modern art hangs on the wall in some -- an attempt to perk things up -- but there's not much to speak of in the way of style here. Unfortunately, there is no air-conditioning here, and cooling is handled only by floor or table fans. Wi-Fi is free, but there are not TVs. A few of the rooms are compact, particularly Single Rooms and some of the Double Rooms. Others are larger and can sleep up to eight people in four double beds. It's also worth noting that not all rooms have en-suite bathrooms, but instead share them. Bathrooms are basic, with wall-mounted or pedestal sinks, a stall shower, and soap in little packages. Towels are provided. Some rooms have little balconies with views of the street and neighboring buildings. Keep in mind that noise can be an issue.
Features
Communal area with TV, microwave, and mini-fridge, but little else
This simple little hotel doesn't offer any extras, although there's a communal area with a couple of sofas, a small flat-screen TV, microwave, mini-fridge, and sink. A dining table seats three. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.