AC Hotel Sants — Hotel in Barcelona

I will not stay at this hotel again, and I strongly advise American travelers to reconsider.||I chose AC Hotel Sants based on its affiliation with Marriott, expecting a certain level of service and hospitality — unfortunately, it missed the mark on nearly every front.||First, communication with the front desk was extremely difficult. While I understand I’m in a foreign country and don’t expect fluent English, it’s reasonable to expect basic guest support from a Marriott-branded property. I found the staff indifferent and unhelpful — especially during checkout, when I asked for assistance with a cab and was told to lug my bags a block and a half to the train station because the line was “too busy.” No effort was made to assist.||The room itself had a persistent, unpleasant odor, something like bad water, that even my travel diffuser couldn’t mask. The shower water temperature was erratic, swinging between lukewarm and scalding hot with no warning — a serious safety concern. To make matters worse, the bed was extremely uncomfortable, making it hard to get any rest after long travel days.||The breakfast was disappointing, consisting mostly of sugar-heavy options like pastries and cereal — very little substance. At the bar, I ordered a simple cava (clearly pointing to it on the menu), but the bartender proceeded to make an entirely different $16 cocktail. Despite multiple attempts to clarify and even using a translator app, I was charged for a drink I didn’t order or consume — and the front desk was no help at all in resolving it. When I escalated to Marriott customer service, the hotel staff doubled down and were unpleasant throughout the process.||When I asked for basic help navigating the train system — like whether to download an app or how to buy a ticket — I was handed a map and waved off. Again, no effort or hospitality.||Overall, I had the impression that the staff were dismissive, unhelpful, and frankly not welcoming to American guests. This is not the level of service I expect from a Marriott property. I’ve had wonderful experiences in Spain elsewhere, so this isn’t about the country — this is about this hotel.||I would absolutely not stay here again, and I recommend other travelers — especially from the U.S. —...

TL/DR: Underwhelming. Stay somewhere else.

So. I was prompted by Marriott yesterday to review Le Meridien Barcelona. We had dithered about making reservations so couldn't get accommodations there except for the first three days of our Barcelona stay and had to move to the AC Hotel Sants for the last few days. Ironically, I had commented on the (lack of) view from our room at Le Meridien as well as its (lack of) size...

Well, the joke is on me! Suffice it to say that the AC Hotel Sants is, er, spartan at best. The room simply isn't appropriate for a couple - the toilet is very awkwardly situated in a tiny closet but, without adequate separation from the sleeping area. The large, open sink vanity literally bisects the room's small footprint by weirdly sitting centrally. Truck stop Motel 6 motif including the obligatory, stale smoke odor and worn furnishings. OTOH, decent city view out of our "upgraded" (hahaha) room's window.

The breakfast is neither hot nor continental; a few sad cold cuts, melon, stale bread and "pastries", and a single serve coffee maker much like ones supplied in hotel rooms. I gave up points for that?

The immediate surrounding area is kinda sketchy BUT, it's near the train station, transportation hub, and shopping AND there's a couple of cool neighborhood plazas and a zillion cafes, etc within a 5-10 minute walk though I WOULDN'T advise any solitary, late night strolls. It's also waaaay too far to walk from the Gothic Quarter, waterfront, and most Gaudi and standard touristy stuff.

The staff was nice to us BUT, I noted that the front desk staff was inexplicably unhelpful and borderline rude to a young Indian woman in front of us trying to get checked in. She appeared to get a little flustered so I asked if I could help and WEIRDLY, the desk staff begrudgingly "let" her check in. Hmmm.

Overall, this is a swing and a miss for a Marriott property. I've stayed in a few AC Hotels elsewhere and while they had minimalist aesthetics, they were kinda hip and not shabby. Meh, I'd pass up this one unless Marriott significantly improves it. While you shouldn't be in Barcelona and just stay in your hotel room, you should be able to...

Staff at front desk was outstanding. Friendly and helpful.

Room was clean and well maintained. Housekeeping was friendly and responsive

Room was very, very poorly designed. Difficult to use, fancy looking designs by someone who obviously never ever tried to spend a night there.

Bathroom switches located at the front door (lighting the WC at night illuminates the shower and much of the room, (waking up sleepers.) Half doors on the closet, half sliding mirror screen between room and bath, leaving a gap no matter what and preventing any privacy. The luggage shelf was spacious and useful, but interfered with dangerous corners around the refrigerator/minibar, that forced a zig zag and occasioned painful hits in the dark. Two small pretty designer hooks for towels, located so as to force dripping all over the bathroom area, on above the other, so the lower towel never dries. No hooks for winter coats. No drawers, and totally inadequate shelving.

The designer basin was hard to use without spilling water because the spout was in the way of the head when bending over the basin. It was a waste of space, hiding toiletries that slipped beneath it. The basin stop was non existent (could not close), with a serious risk to lose small jewelry or contact lenses into the drain. There was no soap dish for the soap "bar", a designer hard spherical soap that would roll on the counter and was difficult to keep under control.

Bathroom lighting was bright but located on the ceiling no lighting at head level, giving faces a "Picasso" look with sharp contrasts and shadows, making it practically impossible to shave the neck or apply eye makeup without unnecessary contortions.

TV sound volume was capped to avoid disturbing neighbors, a reasonable precaution, but some channels were basically inaudible. On the other hand, as many as 10 unoccupied and accessible electrical outlets, which were much appreciated. (In most hotels, electrical outlets are lacking, difficult to access, or already occupied with appliances...