The Hoxton, Poblenou

The room is small, but it's okay. We happened to catch a once-in-a-century torrential rain, and the drains were making gurgling noises. The rooftop terrace is worth recommending with a great view where you can see the Sagrada Família. The entrance to the underground parking garage is a bit counter-intuitive as it's not on the same street as the hotel entrance, but once parked, you can take the elevator directly into the hotel. Also, the intercom button isn't by the gate; you have to press it as soon as you turn into the driveway—luckily, I asked a guy from the laundry room and he pointed the way. As a four-star hotel, the breakfast was a bit monotonous; we stayed for three days and it didn't change at all. Plus, surprisingly, there was no ham—the hotels we stayed at in Valencia and Bilbao both served ham for breakfast.

Facilities: The hotel has everything you need, and there's a bustling rooftop pool and bar. Cleanliness: The room was very clean, and housekeeping did a great job with daily cleaning. Environment: It's located in what seems like a new business district. There's a T4 tram stop right outside, and Metro Line 1 is not far away. Sagrada Familia is about a fifteen-minute walk. During my stay, it happened to be the Merce Festival in Catalonia, and I walked to the beach in about twenty minutes to watch the fantastic closing fireworks!

1) The exhaust fan in the room's toilet was broken. We called the front desk twice, but it was no use. The front desk said they'd send someone to fix it, but we didn't notice any difference. 2) The hotel's rooftop was very lively and loud at night. Our neighbors were also very noisy. My family couldn't get a good night's sleep. What's even more ridiculous is that when we ordered red wine at the hotel's rooftop, they served it in plastic cups... so disappointing! 3) The hotel's location is terrible. We had to take a taxi every time we wanted to go downtown. I regret staying here so much! 4) There was construction going on near the hotel, and we were woken up by the noise in the mornings! The front desk's design and decor were indeed beautiful, but the overall experience was truly awful!

This hotel wasn't as good as it seemed online. There's no gym, and it's actually quite small. The breakfast was relatively varied, but the à la carte options were limited. It wasn't cheap when I booked it, at 2400 per night for a standard room on a regular floor. I don't think it offers good value for money. It felt more like a trendy designer hotel aimed at young people in China.

Great views! I saw a stunning sunrise during my two-day stay.

The hotel is right by the Sagrada Familia, which is a great, convenient location. However, there was a bad smell from the drains, and the toilet bowl had stains. Two nights in particular, there was an incredibly foul odor when we returned – I have no idea where it was coming from! Then it was gone on the last day, which was very strange. Breakfast was decent and tasty, and the bed was quite comfortable.

This hotel boasts an excellent location. From the metro, just look for the 'little pink sausage' in Picture 1, and you'll find it right in the building next to Torre Glòries. It's incredibly convenient, being no more than three metro stops away from popular attractions like Plaça de Catalunya and the various 'casas' along Diagonal Avenue. Getting here from the airport is also easy: take the L9 to Torrasa, then transfer to the L1 and get off at Glòries station. Personally, I highly recommend the route from the hotel to Poblenou Cemetery, and then from the cemetery to Bogatell Beach. It's less crowded, and the scenery is beautiful. If you don't feel like walking back, you can catch the V23 bus. Barcelona's 'third spaces' are everywhere – not just on Diagonal and Passeig de Gràcia. You can enjoy urban strolls in many neighborhoods; when you get tired, just sit on a street bench for some 'photosynthesis,' or head back to the hotel for a relaxing cup of tea. Overall, if you're traveling as a couple and not focused on 'military-style' sightseeing and photo ops, this place offers great value for money.