The Hoxton, Poblenou

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.

The location is decent, and they offer free bicycles for rent right outside. Just remember to double-check the city tax when you check out; they overcharged me for one person initially, but refunded it after I emailed them.

Overall, my stay was quite good. The hotel is located right next to the Glorious Tower, and I had a view of it from my room every day. There's a bar and restaurant on the ground floor, and as soon as you step into the hotel, you can feel that designer vibe. I particularly loved their wall lamps – straight into my shopping cart! Two tips to keep in mind: 1. The front desk will ask if you want daily room cleaning, which is complimentary. 2. They require a deposit of 50 euros per room per night. This is refundable upon check-out (mine was refunded instantly). This deposit can also be used to cover the 'city tax' – they won't charge the city tax separately at check-in, but rather deduct it from your deposit at check-out. The room itself was spacious, with enough space to fully open two 27-inch suitcases. The bathroom had small tiles, giving it a very modern Spanish feel. I also fell in love with the glass cups in the room – they're a Belgian brand, and yep, added to my cart again! The bed was large and very comfortable. If you want your towels changed daily, remember to toss them on the floor; if you hang them up, they won't be replaced. The hotel's surroundings are lively and convenient, with shopping malls, supermarkets, and plenty of shopping options. You can easily reach 'Gaudi's Three Masterpieces' by taking a bus from nearby, which gets you there in about half an hour.

The room was clean and well-designed, and the breakfast was decent. Right across the street there's a large mall with plenty of dining options. The downside is that the room was never cleaned; it wasn't cleaned once during my three-night stay.