St Christopher's Inn Barcelona

This basic hostel is housed in a refurbished historic building right in the center of Barcelona. Inside though, the property is decorated in an attractive modern style and has a relaxed atmosphere. The lobby has the building's original stone staircase set among a stark, white decor. There's a small wooden reception desk, a vending machine, racks of postcards, and plenty of information to help guests get around the city. Each floor of the property is decorated with bright, contemporary murals by different artists that add a ton of personality to the hostel. There are two small elevators, and there can be a wait for them at busy times. Being a hostel, the property mainly attracts young backpackers and the vibe can be lively, particularly at Belushi's, the hotel's bar and restaurant that attracts plenty of travelers and ex-pats. Expect to see plenty of solo travelers here, as well as groups of friends.

St. Christopher’s is located just off Plaza Catalunya, a bustling square that's the heart of Barcelona. The square also marks the northern boundary of the city's oldest districts, Ciutat Vella and Barri Gotic. Plaza Catalunya sits at the top of Las Ramblas, a lively street packed with cafes, restaurants, shops, and street performers. La Boqueria, the city's photogenic market, will take 10 minutes to reach on foot, while the Barcelona Cathedral is a 15-minute walk inside of Barri Gotic. Around a 20-minute walk down Las Ramblas takes visitors to the harbor, with Barceloneta's beach about 10 minutes beyond that. The Antoni Gaudi-designed Casa Batllo is also about 10 minutes away on foot. There are excellent transport links near the property too, with bus stops and the Catalunya Metro station within a three-minute walk. A trip to Gaudi's Sagrada Familia will take 20 minutes by metro. It’s a 20-minute drive, 35-minute AeroBus ride, or 40-minute train ride to Barcelona–El Prat Airport.

The 47 rooms at the St. Christopher’s Place Barcelona are arranged as four, six, eight, or 12-bed dormitories. Female-only dorms are available, and so are private rooms. The rooms are bright, modern, and clean. They have a white and gray color scheme that looks fresh, while funky, colorful murals on some walls add a ton of character. The rooms have basic amenities, with privacy curtains on bunk beds and a small reading light above each bed. There is a metal drawer under each bed for guests to store their suitcase or backpack. Padlocks are required for the lockers, which can be bought at reception. Fresh bed linens are provided and towels can be rented from reception. The private rooms have a small, but modern en-suite bathroom with a shower and hairdryer. The dormitories share communal bathrooms which have rows of shower stalls, toilets, and modern basins. 

The hostel offers a free daily continental breakfast which includes breads, spreads, ham, cheese, cereals, a selection of fruits, juices, and coffee. It’s also possible to upgrade to a cooked breakfast for a small fee. There is a lively bar and restaurant on-site, Belushi’s, which puts on weekly events and is a great place for travelers to meet people. The property has several common areas with tables, a kitchen, a pool table, an internet lounge, and vending machines. It also offers some outside space in the form of a sunny, courtyard garden. Unfortunately there is no communal kitchen, and the hostel only has microwaves for heating up food. Additionally, there’s a laundry room, bikes for hire, and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.