BLESS Hotel Barcelona — Hotel in Barcelona

We stayed recently at Iberostar for 8 days and overall we enjoyed the stay however we probably won't stay again. If it's your first time visiting Barcelona and just want to explore then it's in the ideal location right next to the Metro and within walking distance of many of the local attractions. For us however, it was simply too noisy and not really worth the money being charged. I've highlighted some pros and cons of the Iberostar below

Pros Location cannot be beaten, right in the heart of Barcelona Majority of staff we encountered were fabulous, particularly the hosts at breakfast. Nearly all staff greeted you as you walked around the hotel. We received a free bottle of Cava in the room. Not sure whether this was intentional or by accident however it was a nice touch. Filtered water and ice was available on the floor at all times Quality of food at breakfast was great and was nice to have some local meats and cheeses.

Cons The hotel and location are very noisy. Now I know it's located in the centre of Barcelona however after a couple of days, the incessant horns from cars and buses 24/7 started to grate. This was exacerbated by the cleaning staff who for reasons unknown were particularly noisy. We were very often woken up by what sounded like next door's mattress being smacked against our wall continuously. I get rooms have to be cleaned however this seemed excessive. Maybe some rooms are better than others however we'd definitely stay further out. None of the rooms have soft close doors and many people just let the doors slam regardless of the hour. I know that's not necessarily the hotels fault but some soft close doors would lessen the issue. On our last day, Barcelona held its Marathon. This meant drum practice and mic tests from 6am on a Sunday, directly outside our window. If you're a light sleeper, then I can't recommend this hotel I'm afraid, it's simply too noisy. Lifts are unbearably slow and very often missed our chosen floor Breakfast was good however it was a shame not to have a hot buffet option as that is generally offered at equivalent hotels. All hot food had to be ordered via the staff and options were limited. Likewise, no coffee machine so these had to be ordered via the staff. The room was nice however there were a few maintenance issues that weren't really acceptable for a 4 star hotel. The safe didn't work and there were holes in the shower that had been poorly patched up. To their credit the safe was fixed when we raised it. The room temperature was generally far too hot and stuffy for us. Despite there being AC controls in the room, they didn't appear to do anything and when we had a maintenance guy visit, he told us it was controlled centrally. We were lucky to have an opening window however doing so meant lots of traffic noise and fumes coming into the room. The room just felt stuffy all of the time and void of any 'fresh' air so I have my doubts on whether it was...

Understaffed, too small, horrible car park and no road to access the car park.

4 of us arrived in a small camper van that would barely fit in the underground car park that has to be driven over a road that does not exist “a pedestrianised area”. You will not find the parking spot. The lady at the reception needed 10 minutes to explain the entrance. A picture and a pin in an email could have saved that prior to the booking, and omitting the fact that there is no road to get it is a massive red flag.

After the receptionist went on to explain us, and two of our group left to find the car park she never booked us. We had one person in a wheel chair. Standing there being ignored for 10 minutes while she was doing someone else’s biking, a lot of bags while other people were moving their bags around mine, and another lady wanted to take the free receptionist was a nightmare.

The lift system is awkward. You press a button and the lift comes, but you can’t tell where it is as there are no numbers in some places. The screen shows and arrow but it is not obvious that it means to choose another lift. The button will be pressed for you automatically based on what you have chosen, not obvious either. Nothing clear enough on the screen for every step. Inside there is a sign to use your room card key, but again, nothing tells you not to do that. A confused design.

At the first lift when you come, there was an attended lady that completely ignored me when arrived behind the wheelchair. I explained her 3 times that I need to get to the same place as the wheel chair. It took 3 back and forth replies to tell me that it is right on the stair. She pressed the button for them, I had a luggage with me. I could not understand why is it so hard for her to make a simple connection between me and the people she just sent in the lift. Perhaps because she let other people in front of me and completely blanked me out from the group.

The restaurant was amazing with great staff, the pool was amazing as well.

The rooms are pretty, the bed is big, the sink is a great beautiful concept, but I don’t like the idea of being in the bedroom while washing or shaving and my partner is sleeping.

The concept with separates roos for toilet and shower is cool but I found them ugly, dirty and not matching the style of the room. It was more like a space ship unit.

I do recommend it for the great location, the sink, the pool, the restaurant, the view, but the hotel can be a bit of a nightmare.

We wanted to stay an additional night and she said that there are no rooms available but there were rooms available on booking.com. Not sure what to make of...

45 Times Barcelona Hotel: A Premier Stay in the Heart of the City

Nestled just steps away from the iconic Plaza Cataluña, 45 Times Barcelona Hotel offers an exceptional blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Its prime location makes it an ideal choice for travelers eager to immerse themselves in Barcelona’s vibrant culture and attractions. 

Location: Guests consistently praise the hotel’s central position, noting its proximity to major sites and the ease of exploring the city. Being at the heart of Barcelona allows for spontaneous adventures and quick access to public transportation. 

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Dining: Guests appreciate the variety and quality of the breakfast offerings. The on-site restaurant, Cas Menestral, is noted for its sustainable dining practices, serving dishes made from responsibly sourced ingredients. 

Service: The staff is frequently lauded for their friendliness and helpfulness, contributing significantly to the overall positive experience. Their local knowledge and willingness to assist enhance the stay for many guests. 

In summary, 45 Times Barcelona Hotel provides a harmonious blend of luxury and convenience, making it a top choice for those seeking to experience the best...