Barcelona Catedral

Reviewed by Michael Soffe

CONTEMPORARY INSIDE; GOTHIC OUTSIDE ..............

Location is always paramount in any city and this Hotel is in an excellent location for visiting the wonderful sites of Barcelona. Located just a hundred metres off the Cathedral Square, it is an easy walk to Plaza de Catalunya and the Ramblas, and to explore the Gothic Quarter which is on your doorstep. Very central indeed. It is a modern building in the mold of a Design Hotel. The area is abuzz with small alleys, bars, cafés and restaurants. You are spoilt for choice.

A contemporary reception and bar area are a welcoming sight as you enter this Hotel. The reception staff are professional and friendly and are very helpful with concierge services so that you can get the most out of your stay in this extraordinary city.

From reception you can enter a chic outdoor decked patio which forms the centre of the Hotel. This connects to the restaurant which is also on the ground floor, and lunches and snacks can be served in the patio in the summer months. The chill-out area is a great place for a pre-dinner cocktail.

There is also a business centre with computers, printers, etc, hidden discreetly behind reception for guests use.

An inviting roof-top pool is an ideal place to take a dip on those hot Mediterranean days with views over the roof tops of Barcelona. On the same level is a fully equipped gymnasium if a days sightseeing has not worked off the calories. The Hotel also offers variety of massage treatments and reflexology which can be taken in your room or in the pool area (weather permitting). These can be booked with a couple of hours notice at reception.

The Hotel has 80 bedrooms but it does not feel like such a large Hotel as the rooms are spread over several floors (with a lift!). There is a wonderful Suite (ideal for a honeymoon), 4 Superior Rooms and the rest are Executive Doubles and Twins. The Superior rooms can be inter-connecting making them ideal for families. Four of the floors are non-smoking floors. The rooms are bright and airy with a mix of cream and neutral colours with wooden parquet floors. All have Satellite TV, telephone, internet access (daily fee payable), heating, air conditioning, mini-bar, safe and tea and coffee making facilities. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom and, a rarity in these space-saving days, is that all have baths. Fluffy towels, toiletries and a hairdryer come as standard in all rooms. Bathrobes and slippers are an added extra in the Superior Rooms and Suite. Three Executive rooms are excellently adapted for wheel chair access with roll in showers, grab bars, etc.

À-la-carte breakfasts are served at your leisure in the restaurant which also offers lunch and dinner. The restaurant, named "4 Capellans", after the street on which the Hotel lies, serves Mediterranean cuisine and is normally busy with tourists and locals alike, and has a good reputation.

A lovely and unique touch that the Hotel offers, is a guided walking cultural tour, free of charge to Hotel clients on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. Just let reception know if you are interested.


An ideal Hotel for those who want a contemporary Hotel in a truly central location in this fabulous city with the facilities of the roof-top pool and restaurant being an added bonus. Location does not come much better than this!