Hotel Rialto

The Rialto Hotel offers basic accommodations and the hotel lobby reflects the simple decor travelers will encounter throughout the rest of the property. But the building itself has an interesting history: It's the house where the famous Catalan artist Joan Miró was born. The mural on the wall in the lobby is a nod to the hotel's artistic roots, but the rest of the lobby is bare bones (with furnishings that look to be upholstered with imitation leather). The guests are primarily leisure travelers, running the gamut from singles to families.

For leisure travelers, it's hard to beat the location of Rialto Hotel. Located in the historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, and less than a five-minute walk from Las Ramblas, the hotel is an ideal choice for those looking to be right in the heart of the action and within a few minutes' stroll of countless shops, bars, and restaurants that line the nearby streets. It's a short walk from the beach and metro hubs that offer easy access to other parts of Barcelona. Boquería Market, Plaça Catalunya, the Liceu theater, and the Barcelona Cathedral are all less than a 15-minute walk away. But the noise from the busy streets does make its way to the rooms at the Rialto Hotel, with the most noise heard in the rooms that face the street.

The rooms at Rialto Hotel are clean, but small and basic. There are 205 rooms in total, and room types come designed to accommodate one or two people with either single or double beds. Wooden floors are bare, and there is little decor outside of matching curtains and bedspreads that feature dated designs. Some rooms offer tiny balconies. Light sleepers should note that rooms facing the street get the most noise. Every room has air-conditioning and heating, a bathroom with shower or bath, hairdryer, telephone, and flat-screen TV. There are also in-room safes, but some guests may feel nickel-and-dimed by the fee charged to use them.

While there are few standout amenities at the Rialto Hotel, many guests do enjoy the vast breakfast buffet offered each morning. The hotel also has a bar and a restaurant, which are housed in cavernous spaces with brick vaulted ceilings. However, most travelers choose to take advantage of the hotel's central location to experience the many dining choices in the neighborhood. The hotel does charge for some things that come standard at other hotels, such as Wi-Fi and use of the in-room safes. There's luggage storage for travelers who check in early or check out late, plus a vending machine for drinks, and laundry service. Pets are allowed at the hotel.