Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
eight or ten) with balconies. Dorms are mixed, though you can also reserve a private room or
even an apartment (sleeps up to six; €120), and with a hostel capacity of only thirty it rarely
feels overcrowded. There's a kitchen and book-exch
ang
e servic
e, c
offee and breakfast avail-
able and decent discounts in the low season. Dorms
€19
, rooms
€60
Mercer Hotel
c/dels Lledó 7 933 102 387,
mercerbarcelona.com
;
Jaume I;
map
.
When it comes to Old World charm, the Mercer is about as old as it gets. Though the luxuri-
ous hotel itself is barely two years old, the building dates back to Roman times in places (the
Roman wall that surrounded the ancient city of Barcino makes up the rear facade). Archi-
tect Rafael Moneo highlighted the huge mix of architectural styles on show when restoring
the building: medieval arches, wooden coffered ceilings and ornate Gothic columns found in
the rooms and public areas marry with contemporary designer furnishings. As well as all this
historiccharm,there'sarooftopbarand
pool,
avertical gardenofaromatics suchaslavender
and rosemary and a lovely interior patio.
€345
Neri Hotel
c/de Sant Sever 5 933 040 655,
hotelneri.com
;
Liceu/Jaume I;
map
.
Close to the cathedral, a delightful eighteenth-century palace houses this stunning boutique
hotel of just 22 rooms and suites, featuring swags of flowing material, rescued timber,
granite-toned bathrooms and lofty proportions. Designers have created eye-catching effects,
like a boa constrictor sofa made of red velvet and a tapestry that falls four floors through
the central atrium, while a beamed library and stylish roof terrace provide a tranquil escape.
Guestscantaketheirbreakfast,whichisservedasabuffet,eitheroutinthec
ourt
yardinsum-
mer or in chef Benito Iranzo's fine contemporary Mediterranean restaurant.
€285
Pensió Alamar
c/de la Comtessa de Sobradiel 1 933 025 012,
pensioalamar.com
;
pensión
makesaconvenientbase.Therearetwelverooms(singles,doublesandtriples),most
with little balconies, andwhile space istight, there'safriendly welcome, laundry service and
useofakitchen.Requestsnonoi
sea
ftermidnight,soitsuitsearly-birdsandsightseersrather
than partygoers. No credit cards.
€45
Pensión Mari-Luz
c/del Palau 4, 2º 933 173 463,
pensionmariluz.com
; Jaume
I/Liceu;
map
.
Thisoldmansion,onaquieter-than-usualBarriGòticstreet,offersinexpensive
rooms (most share bathrooms), plus a more personal welcome than in many other places of
its kind. Someone's been to IKEA for furniture and there are contemporary art prints on the
walls, central heating and a/c, laundry facilities and a small kitchen. It can be a tight squeeze
when full, but a dozen apartments (sleeping two to six, €
90-
160) a few minutes' walk away
in the Raval offer more space. Rates drop in low season.
€65
