Hotel Actual

Rooms

The 36 rooms are generic, with a minimalist and utilitarian feel to them. Each has stark white marble floors and white walls, with dark wood as the only contrast. The rooms are small but functional, and all have an ensuite bathroom with a bath (and a hand-held shower), as well as reasonable air conditioning for the summer months. Beds are comfy with big round pillows - and there are more in the cupboard if you need them, though there isn't a huge amount of clothes storage space. Double doors between the bathroom and bedroom keep plumbing sounds out, but we did hear some noise from neighbours and the lift.

Some Standard Rooms have no views to speak off; others look out over the Passeig de Gràcia. If you can, book one of the higher, rear-facing rooms (510 and 511 are best), which offer views of La Pedrera (or Casa Milà, to give it its official name). The Standard Superior Rooms are slightly bigger and have balconies.

If money is no object, splash out on one of the 6 Junior Suites. The only rooms to depart from the generic two-tone colour scheme, these have panelled or elaborately painted ceilings, more headroom and modern four-posters set against warm grey walls. One comes with a vast chandelier - and an equally vast flatscreen TV to set it off.

There's good, free WiFi and in-room coffee-making facilities or you can go down to the small communal lounge-bar on the first floor and help yourself to hot drinks.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Central heating
• Coffee / tea making
• Cots available
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

A good buffet breakfast is offered for an additional cost. Expect fresh fruit (including kiwi and pineapple), juices, yoghurt, boiled eggs, cereal, cold meats and cheeses, bread and jam, and a choice of coffees and teas. It's a hearty start to the day, but if you prefer to eat light (or save money), there are several cafés down the street.

There's no shortage of restaurants nearby for lunch and dinner. Harry's across Passeig de Gràcia does good pasta, salads and main courses in a pretty ristorante setting. Or head to Cerveceria Catalana for tapas loved by tourists and locals alike (prepare to queue at peak times).

Back at the hotel, there's free tea and coffee in the lounge-bar from 2pm, as well as a short room service menu. Staff are also very willing to order food in from any of the local restaurants if you wish.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Passeig de Gràcia - Barcelona’s premier shopping street - is 30 paces from the front door. You’ll find designer labels and high street chains coming out of your ears. For smaller boho boutiques head for the narrow streets of the historic Born district
  
• Three Gaudí buildings lie within a 10-minute walk. The curvacious stone facade and undulating roof of La Pedrera (formally known as Casa Milà) is only a block away, the ornate and blue-tiled Casa Batlló is a couple of blocks south, and the soaring Sagrada Familia is a short walk (or metro ride) to the west
  
• Another Gaudí masterpiece, the vast Park Güell, lies to the north (you'll need to take the metro and a bus to get there). Among its trees and flowerbeds you'll come across colourful mosiac sculptures, other-worldly grottos, gingerbread-style houses and the elegant villa where Gaudí lived
  
• Barcelona's small but interesting Egyptian Museum, complete with mummies, is just a short stroll away, as is the art-filled Fundació Antoní Tàpies
  
• The football-obsessed can head to Nou Camp for a tour of FC Barcelona’s stadium - you may even see the players in training sessions. A cab will get you there in 10 minutes, but you can take the metro, too
  
• Head south to the beach (about 30 minutes by foot or 10 by cab). On your way, stop at the magnificent La Seu, Barcelona's gothic cathedral, with its stone-laced facade, gargoyles and gaggles of geese guarding the leafy cloister
  
• Stroll down the city’s most famous avenue, the lively tree-lined boulevard of La Rambla (15 minutes' walk or 3 metro stops along line 3), thronged with tourists, artists, musicians and all sorts of stalls, selling everything from flowers to caged birds. It's pickpocket heaven, though, so keep a close eye on your valuables

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Private guided tours
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Children of all ages are welcome, although there are no special facilities for them. An extra bed or cot can be put in some of the rooms for a nightly charge; children under 2 stay for free. Some connecting rooms are available - please enquire when booking.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Hotel Actual is located at the crossroads of Calle Roselló and Passeig de Gràcia, right by the Diagonal metro stop in central Barcelona. It's a 15-minute walk from Plaça de Catalunya and the Ramblas.

By Air:
Barcelona's airport, El Prat (14km away), is served by many international and budget carriers - see the links below for a list.

From the Airport
You can take a taxi straight to the hotel (from around €25) or jump on the Aerobus or the train at the airport. Both will take you to Plaça de Catalunya, from where you can either walk or hop on metro line 3 to Diagonal.

By Train::
For a more eco-friendly trip, take the mid-afternoon Eurostar from London to Paris, then transfer to the overnight sleeper to Barcelona.

By Car:
It's unlikely you'll need a car in Barcelona, but if you want to hire one to explore the surrounding countryside, see our car rental recommendations.

Getting Around:
The hotel is right by the 'Diagonal' metro stop on lines 3 and 5. It's also a few minutes' walk from the tram services which connect either end of Avenida Diagonal with the sea and the suburbs.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Barcelona and getting around