Hostalin Barcelona Gran Via

The location is very convenient, everything is around the corner. The staff is friendly and helpful. I would recommend the hotel especially for a short stay. We stayed in the hotel just for one night before cruise from Barcelona. The staff allowed us to check out a little bit later without any problems.

Whilst I can’t fault how clean it was or the location, it was not a relaxing experience. We arrived and were put into the lift by a gentleman who seemed to be fixing it as we arrived. We were then stuck inside and being shouted at to press buttons and not to press buttons! Eventually we were let out and another apologetic man carried our bags up. Oh and by the way the name of the establishment isn’t on the door so we almost missed it. We had asked for a twin room and were given a double, which were assured would be sorted while we were out. It didn’t happen. Mr apologetic again said sorry and sorted it for our second night. All good you’d think, until middle of the night someone unlocked our door switched the light on. It seemed to be a late arrival being checked in. Frightened the life out of me. Overall it was fine but I’d rather not have a comedy story to tell.

This was my first experience of travelling solo. I arrived from the airport via taxi and my first indication that this was not what I expected was that the taxi driver did not know of this 'hotel' and we could not find any indication of it at the address given. There was construction outside and we circled the block twice to try and find the entrance. I convinced the driver that I would be OK since this is what was on my confirmation and I got out of the taxi. I could not find the entrance and a young man asked me if I was looking for the Hostalin Barcelona. He showed me a very small plaque on the side of the doorway with a buzzer that one could never see from the road. He kindly carried my bag into this dark and dingy entrance and up the stairs to the tiny elevator. He had obviously helped people before to find this place but I was really nervous about doing this and I am not new to travelling. On arrival it was bright and white and very clean but I quickly realized that this was a hostel and not a hotel. I was shown to my room, again very clean. The sitting area and balcony did not look out onto green, lush trees as shown on the booking site but onto a dingy, graffitied alleyway. The walls of the rooms were particle board and I could clearly hear talking from the room beside me and refreshments were offered in a common room. This was more like a youth hostel than a hotel and I feel it is totally mis-represented on the booking site. This place is charging hotel prices for a hostel experience. I was extremely disappointed, upset and uncomfortable and of course I could not get any refund but I left after half an hour and found a hotel that was exactly what I had wanted in the first place having now already paid for three nights at this place. If you are backpacking or looking for a hostel experience, this would fit the bill but that is not what I signed up for and potential guests should be aware.

I am a solo traveler. Upon checked in the receptionist mentioned I have 2 rooms booked. I told him that must be a mistake. I trusted that they will do something about as it wasn’t really my fault. Why would I booked 2 rooms if I’m travelling alone? Days after they took money twice in my account. I politely speak with the receptionist, he does not speak English very well but he tried his best. He called the manager on the phone. He spoke to me but did not solved the issue. He did not let me talk and worst was he hanged up. This is not how you value your guest!! I’ve been to 40+ countries, countless of hotels. But this is my worse stay. Very frustrating.