Barcelona Hotels With Style: Three Cheapo Options
Many times, “style” and “inexpensive” seem incompatible. While a budget hotel in Barcelona may have the right location and low rate, on many occasions these places leave something to be desired when it comes to color, furnishings, art and decor in general.
There are a few hotels and hostals in Barcelona that rise above the rest, designer Cheapos that are easy on the eyes. Here are three for those who are decor-sensitive:
Gat Xino
El Raval
Sometimes, as the saying goes, less is more. Minimal and modern, Gat Xino gets points for its chalk white bedspreads and walls, simple closets, flat-screen televisions and abstract artwork. The color palette used throughout the hostal is lime, charcoal and printer-paper white.
We love the Fashion House's outdoor patio.
This first-rate, two-star hostal is hip and comes with a ton of perks, such as a chill-out lounge on the roof and a sun-filled breakfast room. The only drawback is its slightly shabby neighborhood, but the owners have priced rooms accordingly, and the ‘hood may even be a benefit for the right kind of person.
Fashion House
Eixample
One of my long-standing faves, Fashion House’s owners have good taste. While the owners left the B&B’s rooms in soft tones, simply decorated and with wicker furnishings, they went to town in the living room. Here you’ll feel tempted to plop yourself down by the fireplace and read a book in the over-stuffed armchair, or nap on the equally inviting sofa beside large picture windows. Look up as you drift off at the intricate detailing on the ceiling and the glittering chandelier. This B&B is both chic and cozy at the same time.
The best part about the Fashion House is its ample, flower-filled veranda, an oasis in big-city Barcelona. It’s an ideal spot to chill after a busy day of shopping and exploring, and it’s also a lovely setting for breakfast.
The Hotel Banys Orientals is a class act.
Banys Orientals
El Born
This hotel in El Born is a class-act from its lobby, to its rooms, to its restaurant. Rooms are decorated in a crisp black-and-white color scheme and outfitted with slick furnishings and large framed artwork. All are equipped with a flat-screen TV, telephone, safe and air conditioning. I adore the posh, amenity-stuffed bathrooms at Banys Orientals and the useful “communal mini-bar” on each floor.
The hotel was freshened up in 2010 and is generally decorated in a cutting-edge, sleek style. Hotel Banys Orientals offers 43 rooms in a sought-after setting on Carrer Argenteria, in El Born. Is it the cheapest of the cheapo hotels in Barcelona? No. But it is an excellent value for your euro bucks.
More hotel options
But wait, there’s more! To see all of the budget hotels inspected and approved by our editors, visit our Barcelona hotel guide.
About the author
