Hostal Goya

Oh, Hostal Goya, your oodles of natural light and elegant attitude... (Sigh!) What a crush we’ve got on this fantastic, splurge-worthy two-star, which seems just too good to be true.

A stay in one of the Hostal Goya’s 19 tastefully decorated rooms is a visual treat. With a modern-meets-early-1900s style, this place really gets it right in the interior decorating department.

All rooms are air conditioned and outfitted with soundproof windows, heat and free Wi-Fi. Bring a book, as they do not have a TV (although there’s an ample television lounge near the reception). Many very quiet rooms look out onto an interior courtyard, but in our opinion, the ones to request are those with French balconies or small terraces (which overlook either the street or courtyard).

A short-term apartment is available in the same building as the hostal. The two-bedroom/two-bath pied-à-terre is decorated in the same classy style as the guest rooms and has hardwood floors, air conditioning and a full kitchen. But its best bit is a lovely terrace perfect for long summer dinners over a bottle (or several) of Catalan wine.

The spic-and-span private bathrooms are generous in size, and some have tubs. Most are located within the rooms, although one bathroom is located outside its corresponding guest room.

The Goya offers an Internet station and Wi-Fi throughout, both free of charge. A safe is available at reception. The lounge area—outfitted with ample seating, stylish modern décor and a flat-screen TV—is a very cozy perk. Note that there is one flight of stairs to climb before you reach an elevator.

Location: The Hostal Goya is set in a safe neighborhood, two blocks from Plaça Catalunya. Here you’ll find a mix of office buildings and apartment buildings—meaning it’s bustling during the workday but pretty tame by 8 p.m.

Tip: For good, local, cheap eats, head down Sant Pere Street and into La Ribera—hold onto your purse though!

The Goya is located just one block away from Passeig de Gracia (where two impressive Gaudí buildings are located). It’s also an easy walk from the Goya to Palau de la Música and the Gothic center of the city. Also, because the area is not “touristville,” you’re less likely to get pickpocketed here.

Subway: The Hostal Goya is located just half a block from the Urquinaona Metro stop. The Red Line/L1 and the Yellow Line/L4 (one of the best lines in the system) both stop here.

From the Airport: To reach the Goya, either take the Areobús to Plaça Catalunya (an eight-minute walk from the hostal, or pick up the RENFE Cercanías train in T2 and take it to the Barcelona-El Clot-Aragó stop, where you can catch the Red Line/L1 Metro to Urquinaona (a two-minute walk from the Goya).