I think the hotel is good and the girls are also.

The room was clean and the price was ok too. The receptionst was very friendly - a goot atmosphere. Only the noice was terrible. We had a room to the place near the hotel. And the first night we couldn't sleep. The next day we bought some "oropax"... Regards Manuela

Hotel was fine - pricey for what it is, but it was one of the few places with rooms free during the Sonar festival. Reception staff are very competent, breakfast was more generous than I was expecting and the area, although 'characterful', was never threatening. Not amazing, but not bad either.

Very nice and Clean hotel... Absolutely the best staff! And very interesting square in front of the hotel (not for longer stay, but looking from window:-) For breakfast we prefer something not so sweet, but quality was good.

well positioned at the center of Raval; hotel staff gentle and helpful; rooms small and almost bare of furniture and unnecessary comforts, but very clean; very noisy at night because of all the people that live on the plaza beneath, but happy and colorful. Definitely not a place for families.

i did enjoy my visit to barcelona however the hostel in barcelona, which was verry clean and the breakfast was excellent,was a dissapointment reference to the room, it was so small that i did not bother to unpack my clothes. the hostel was compleatly the oppisite it was roomy and well appointed and i would not hesitate to use it again and i would reccomend it to my friends.

It was fine, bit more expensive than I would usually pay but it did the job! If you ask for a quiet room that is exactly what you get, the breakfast is fine and the hotel central, secure and clean.

The hotel in Barcelona was great. The price was pretty cheap, but there was reasons for that, but by reading the reviews from other guests posted on the website we more than new what to expect.

Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2003, great hotel, clean and very comfortable. Excellant value for money. Breakfast plentiful, tasty and quality. No problems with the various characters outside the hotel. Would stay here again. N.B. beware of bag snatchers in Barcelona, there seems to be quite a problem (this is not a negative comment about the hotel)

To all the people at Barbara Hotel Barcelona: We enjoyed our stay with the cosy atmosphere, friendly smiles, excellent support and sincere help. We thank you all. We will certainly come back with our families and children and we certainly will choose for the Barbara Hotel again. Tank you very much for everything

Hotel staff great,clean towels every day. security good we had a great time. The ladies of the night/day? not a problem.

Just stayed 4 nights in Hotel Barbara and had a wonderfull stay with my partner. Our room was wonderfull and had everything we need, enjoyed the view from my balcony. People at hotel Barbara are so amasingly friendly and helpfull and are always trying to make your stay better and better. The hotel is so nearby to everything: Ramblas, Harbor, Gothic Area and a lot more of interesting places. Streetnoise??? Never had problems with it and my room did give on the streetsight. Ok, have to mention the croudy place??? No, ok prostitutes are standing outside, but what us amazed was that they are only there during day-time and can assure every one who is thinking about booking this hotel, that you are not hassled not bothered by them: we were two male young blokes and never were asked to .... Congratulations to all Hotel Barbara staff and certainly to the reception, service was great more than you expect in a one star hotel, will recomend you to all friends coming to Barcelona and I certainly will stay there again. Would even give you more star-rating Congratulations again

Yeas, we had a very good trip, and the hotel was very simple, but nice,(nice people and good service) and of course good price.

Interesting that without exception the one salient characteristic all the reviewers seem to remember is the prostitutes. For a single woman traveling alone this was somewhat disconcerting, especially the first time I waded through them, mid-day buried in suitcases. In any event I had no complaints whatsoever about the place inside. Breakfast was sort of 'why bother' but I don't think Europeans as a whole place a lot of value in breakfast, so fine. The only constructive feedback I have is a more general comment: just because a single woman shows up wanting a room doesn't mean she wouldn't vastly prefer a "matrimonial" bed with a window letting in some modicum of light. So preference for rooms with double beds and windows not facing the air shaft should NOT be left to couples, as this punishes us for not traveling with someone with whom we're romantically or at least sexually involved, and this is unfair. Two: for a one-star hotel, I found 80 Euros UNBELIEVEABLY high. I paid 52 Euros which still was the most expensive room I booked while in Spain. Is this because I came from Granada and Jerez? Still, given its "basic" exterior scenery and pidgeonholing of single women into interior rooms, I'm not sure I'd pay 52 Euros again to stay there. Good things: clean, well maintained, nice room size, and very very friendly, intelligent and helpful staff. Thanks for letting me have my say--

Small room but very clean and comfortable. Friendly staff. Plumbing is a bit noisy. Breakfast was good and plentiful. Location is close to the centre of the city, shame about the local street corner talent, although they did look like sensible girls all dressed up warm for the cooler weather. Would have liked the choice of smoking or non-smoking room but apparently smoking everywhere is permissable. For a one star hotel is good value.

very clean, friendly hotel. The room has everything you need for a citytrip. When I visit Barcelona again, I will book Barbarahotel again. The noice?? In such a city you have to bring earcaps.

Was'n it possible to take out the third bed? The room is very small, no big problem, but why 3 beds in a room for 2 persons?? The noise, we think it belongs to living in the centre of a big city. The prostitutes, very kind, never asking anything, no problem at all. We did'nt find the remote for the television and finely we thought we had to ask for it, but we did'nt want it very much so we didn't use it at all. So it was with the fann. We didn't need it so we didn't ask for it. May be it is better to tell the guests that they have to ask for the use of this 2 machines. We liked our staying very much. A very good hotel for that money on a very good place in town whit very kind staffmembers!

This hotel was very good value - out stay was spoiled only by some very loud very inconsiderate German young people who decided to "party" at 1 am - fine for them, but after a tiring day, I really needed some sleep. Eventually, the hotel staff asked them to show a little consideration for the other gusets. Other than that, it was very good value for money.

We get more than what we pay for. It is better than I expected. It is in the central of everything. It is very near the Barri Gothic, the funicular to some major sights, the metro station and the begining of the open Bus tours. For those of you who are commplaining about noisy fans etc, go somewherelse and pay more. I am happy with what I paid for. Thank you

Hotel was clean and nice, the bathroom was recently renovated and also the breakfast was good (and sweet!). At first we had doupt about the hotel, because in front of the hotel there were lots of prostitutes. Despite of that, I could stay in this hotel also next time I visit Barcelona.

On the positive side, this hotel is clean & affordable. Upon arrival the desk clerk asked whether we wanted an interior room or one on the square. Thinking that we might have a bit of a view & better ventillation, I asked for an exterior room, which was a mistake. There are people in the square until the wee hours of the moring, & they're very noisy, which made it difficult to get any sleep. After the people left the square, then the recycling trucks go through, which are also very noisy. The room was also very small & although the beds may be new, they're quite hard. All in all, not my favourite place that we stayed on this trip.

Just got back from 3 nights at Barbara. Had a triple room not on the road side so very quiet. Room was a decent size and clean with a telly and fan. Never made breakie one due to the times we were getting home each morning (5am!) The prozzys in the square opposite deserve a mention too! Theres loads of them! pimps and old mingers the lot but they dont give anyone any trouble which is good. Saw the local plod there a couple of times also doing their bit to move them on! Good off licende opposite also for pre-bar beers! Would use the hotel again...

Sir or Madam, i just receuved an email thanking me for staying in your hotel. i would like to thank you too. I stayined in your hotel for 2 night with a friend and i must say we were very satisfied. The employees were all very kind and helpful and the breakfast buffet was great too. The only thing that was a bit unconfortable was the noise on the road. so thanks again.

The hotel is situated in El Pimpo region of Barcelona and some of the sites visible from the balcony where very nice. The room was a bit small and was on the warm side even with windows open. The perspex glass view of my mate showering was not completly to my taste but i'm sure this will suit some people. In a nutshell the hotel is a good budget option in a charctheristic part of Barcelona.

just came back from barcelona. the hotel is verry clean, and the working girls are not a problem, BUT we had a verry small room with a verry verry small window without even a vent. it was so hot that we needed to take a shower lots of times. we are coming from a hot country, but we canwt stand it and we left after a day to other hotel (Fernando hotel - cheaper, clean, and with a vent...).

Being country bumpkins, we were slightly taken aback when we arrived by the amount of make-up worn by the local ladies, who seemed to like hanging around outside the hotel, eating nuts and leaving huge piles of shells on the pavement. The first night was very hot and sticky and not helped by the fact that the bed was v-shaped. No problems changing rooms, for one over-looking the square and much nicer sleeping at night in a cooler room. We really enjoyed the breakfasts, very nice bread and a cappucino maker. The staff were fairly friendly, but we were confused as to why they were all cross-eyed? We loved the hotel Barbera xxx

clean, central to town with helpful staff and modern appliences. Lots of prostitutes hang around outside, but it does not really feel unsafe

Returned on 24th June from Hotel Barbara. Clean, basic breakfast, and just off the Ramblas. Working Girls in square below, bit noisy but no real problem. Great value for money. Barcelona too beautiful and lively to stay in hotel room for long anyway. Would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting a basic, clean hotel.

The hotel Barbara is a very clean, basic, welcoming, friendly and helpfull Hotel. Breakfast is very ample and gives you enough to start the day. The personnel is excellent: receptionists, cleaning ladies, breakfast lady there are always smiling and ready to help you. Just the "have a nice day", "how was your day" was so great and gives you a enormous good feeling. Rooms in the front side can be noisy caused by people walking by at night, but I think thats normal in the city center. The hotel is so near to everything: Rambla, Gothic area ... The neighbourhood is a bit shokking by arrival but it is not so bad, and they are only there during the day. We would certainly go back to the Hotel Barbara... by the way you do not have to pay for the television just leave a deposit if you want the remote control. Thanks Hotel Barbara

Well, arriving at the hotel Barbara is like arriving in the Ghetto. There are hundreds of prostitutes, but only during the day!? The hotel is clean and friendly but if you want to watch the television you have to pay a ?

hotel fine but needed air conditioning . too hot to sleep at night which made it very uncomfortable. otherwise very clean & comfortable,staff helpful & friendly.

Breakfast is not bad, and very central. But very noisy at night and terribly hot!!

Very central, clean (3 mins walk off Rambla), professionally run, though my single room was practically closet-sized.

you should warn people hotel clean but basic, noisy fans, and surrounded by a million pimps and prostitutes. excellent breakfasts!

Tremendous Stag Weekend at the Barbara with 12 of us. As most other reviews have mentioned there is a square full of prostitutes and pimps right outside, but if you are after somewhere central and good value don't let this put you off. The hotel staff sit at the door 24hrs and have a buzzer entry - the hookers and pimps do not bother the hotel guests as they leave and arrive as they know they will get hassle through the hotel and police. The police also routinely patrol the area, which is unusual for Barca. The hotel is good if you are in a group and are not bothered about noise outside etc -if you treat the hotel and staff with respect they will give you loads of help and guidance on where to go and not to go in the city. If I there with my wife I would spend a bit more and choose another area, but if you are in a group it is ideal. Top place to go !

The hotel was basic as described. The location was convienient but a little daunting at first due to the sex workers in the square outside. However they were no hassel, the area was well lit and the police seemed to be quite visible and buisness seemed to stop around midnight. The hotel was safe, staff friendly, breakfast ok etc. The bed sagged in the middle but still managed to sleep and it wasn't too noisy. All in all ok for the price and Barcelona is a wonderful city!

Simple but nice and central Hotel - 1 minute from Rambla - but if you have a room towards the street noisy as it is a sort of meeting point.

Hotel was clean and tidy, but in the red light area, which could be a bit distressing for some people, but good central location and fortunately the girls were not interested in us. Thanks Suzanne Page

We had a 3 night stay in the Hotel Barbara. The longest three nights of my life. We were not made aware of the location of the hotel which is a mistake as it clearly not a place for children. The square outside the hotel is one of the most intimiidating places that I have ever been in. It became very busy on an evening with prostitutes, their clients, drug users/dealers etc. On our first night there all hell broke loose and there were police riot vans needed to calm the situation. Getting to and from the main tourist areas was like running the gauntlet, this meant that we were leaving the hotel about 9.00am and not returning until 11.00pm to minimise the times we needed to walk through the "small and sometimes busy square". When back to the hotel room there was absolutely no chance of any sleep! I have never heard noise like it. I don't know what they make the walls out of (paper I think!) but we could hear people on the toilet, being sick, having showers/baths, talking/shouting running, slamming doors etc,etc.etc...We can't have had more than 5 hours sleep in the three nights we were there. I have never came back from a short break in such need of a holiday. An experiece that I will definatly never forget and most certainly one to be avoided if possible.

We had a very nice trip to Barcelona,we enjoyed our view from the balkoni at "the place to be "for the prostitudes etc! We didn't have any complains at the hotel, as said before they were very frendly and the room was clean,we had a nice breakfast! You can walk to the nicest places in town!We were a bit wurried by the reviews ( about the crouwdy place ) but we didn't hear anny noises from them , only one night from two english "ladies "(hotelguests)who drink to much ! When you want to go to a "trendy " restaurant/club,you have to go to Salsitas(around the corner )we had a wonderful time!We recommended this hotel to a lot of friends because it is nice , clean ,cheap and everything we liked was in a walkingdistrict!Do I need to say more

We had a nice four night stay at Hotel Barbara. The hotel is very clean, breakfast ample and fresh and staf is very friendly and helpfull. It is true that the neighbourhood is not wath you expect it to be, but it doesn

The hotel was by and large comfortable and near the City Centre. However we had a bitter experience just outside the hotel where there is a big square which is full of drug addicts and prostitutes where fights take place regularly and reaching the hotel becomes very difficult. In fact on the the 2nd day we were so frightened that we had to take a taxi in the last one kilometer from the hotel to reach the hotel safely. Even the Taxi driver had to tbe coaxed to drop us in front of the hotel. He wanted us to get out before the square and walk but we refused and hence with great reluctance he dropped us in front of the hotel. When we reached Barcelona early in the morning also the taxi driver was hesitant to drop us in front of the hotel . Similar was the experience of other guests in the hotel who were equally uncomfortble with the surroundings. Hence while the hotel has all the comforts in line with the price paid, the approach becomes extremely difficult which may kindly be kept in mind. The hotel authorities could perhaps take some step to keep the square cleared of the kind of people who are there all the time.

The location of the hotel is favorable. However, that is also the only compliment. In front of and beside the hotel is driven prostitution and drug trade. In the first evening me and my daughter are attacked and been robbed directly before the hotel. In the 2. night, a stabbing was directly in front of our window, ambulance and much police on the place through the whole night. In the 3. night, teenager-hotelguests made terror the whole night. The nightporter doesn't speak any English, rolls were sufficiently not for all there, the showers is primitive if you use them you put the whole bathroom under water etc Never again this hotel!!

I Stayed here passing through on route to Seville. travelling my my friend. I am glad I never brough my wife or child as the hotel was in a terrible location, was surrounded by prostitutes and drug users, was noisy all night with alarms and police sirens. Not at all like the hotel description. The taxi driver would not even drive down the street. We had booked for the return leg of the trip for 1 night but chose not to stay. One to avoid if you have kids. Basic and cheap Was just for a pass through if you have no other option but never again.

First of all: you can get a remote for your TV, just pay a 20 euro deposit... Second. It was clean, very central and with a very good coffee machine at breakfast! The site is a little disturbing cause of the prostitutes, pimps, addicts and ugly, local old guys, but it is friendly and you get used to it very fast... One tip: the books will tell you to stay away from El Raval at night. This is bull, the best shops, restaurants, bars and other hip and fun places can be found in this part of Barcelona... That is, if you can resist the hookers of course...

We had a great stay at Hotel Barbara and want to recomend it to all Budgettravellers: It is very central, near to the Ramblas and basic but nice decorated rooms. Personnel is excellent, cleaning staff is friendly and rooms are clean. Breakfast is ample. Front desk personnel (Thomas and Martha) are very friendly and helpfull and can help you with each question about citytours, visits and musuems. We also want to point out that the Hotel is very gayfriendly and even on this type of questions they can help you. We had a perfect stay there during our 7 nights holiday and we are sure that we will go back there. Thank you so much for everything Hotel Barbara Staff. We loved it

An excellent place to stay whilst visiting a wonderful city. A short, easy stroll from Las Ramblas, the hotel is basic but very good. The room with balcony was cool and the en suite bathroom fine (the shower excellent). I wasn't tall enough to reach the TV which lacked a remote control but hey who goes to Barcelona to watch tele ? The self-service breakfast provided ample to get you started in the morning and continued serving til 10.00am (very civilized). The staff with their excellent English (of course) were very helpful and even offered to look after our bags after we'd checked out.

Myself and a friend stayed in Hotel Barbara for 3 nights. The Hotel was clean and breakfast was simple but kept us going. The square outside was filled with 'ladies of the night (and day!)' and their male companions - they seemed harmless enough although you had to be 'buzzed' into the hotel reception by the receptionist! The room we stayed in was a tiny twin room with a shower in the middle (no shower curtain) so if you're staying with a friend - accept you'll know her/him better by the end of the trip!! All in all, I would go back there for the position and the fact it's very cheap.

Extremely noisy guests! We hardly got any sleep. People yelling all through the night, knocking at doors, calling our room. Smallest bathroom ever. Not designed for people taller than 170 cm! Nearly impossible to sit down at the toilet. Apart from that - clean rooms, close to everything, though a bit too close to the red light district, friendly, Engslishspeaking staff! Will we return - not likely...

We enjoyed it... Barcelona is a very beautifull city, with a lot of nice places to visit. Hotel Barbara is situated in the heart of that city, at just a few minutes from the Rambla, etc... Rooms are very clean, staff very friendly and helpfull. The perfect stay for budgettravellers like us. We would certainly go back there.

We enjoyed our stay at Hotel Barbara, central Hotel, rooms are very clean, and nice decorated. Breakfast is type self-service. It is a very good budget hotel. Staff is very friendly and very helpfull. What us surprised is that the receptionist during the morning also speaks flemish. The neighbourhood shocks a little bit by arriving, but you will soon see that it does not causes any problems or hasless. There is also a lot of police control. If we had to go back to Barcelona we would go back to Hotel Barbara.

The hotel was overbooked, but everything worked out just fine. They offered us a taxi to another hotel, even closer to La Rambla. So no complaints. The second night we stayed at Barbara. The guy at the check-in was very friendly and even spoke Dutch. The room was clean and satisfied our basic needs. The breakfast lady didn't like her job, but that couldn't ruin our city trip pleasure. Barcelona is a beautiful city and hotel Barbara is the excellent choice for budget travellers like us.

Nice and friendly, just enough for a comfortable stay (bed, hot shower, nice breakfast). Used a lot by groups of scolars, so their last night can be noisy (elevator and hallways are noisy, not much noise from outside).

Hello, We had the bad luck of having a room next to the 'service' elevator, which makes a lot of noise, especially at night. And what I also regret is that nowhere on the webiste is metnionned that you have pay (20 €) for being able to use television in your room. For the rest everything okay, friendly.. good service.

it has been said already: clean, and very friendly staff. the noise could be a problem. the square has got a strong acoustic, the hallways also. a room in the back would be the best, away from groups inside. location very good.

I found the room and service for a 1 star hotel higher than my expectations. Also it is ideally situated for travelling around Barcelona, whether going by Metro, bus or walking. If I was to go to Barcelona again Hotel Barara would be my first choice. I know the square outside the hotel can be off putting to some people but don't let the crowds spoil your trip. It is a very vibrant part of this wonderful city. If I were to make another recommendation it would be to try a restaurant I found in Barrio Gottic area called Cometacinc, Calle Cometa, N.5. Fantastic food, great atmosphere and staff, and affordable if you are on a tight budget. All in all a great trip and worth doing again

I would recommend this hotel for people who enjoy being awoken at all hours of the night with street noise and drunken hotel guests. The "small and sometimes busy square" in front of the hotel is indeed a hang-out for "all kinds of people", primarily Arab-speaking men, dozens of prostitutes and drug-dealers. The room I was in did not have a "new bed".

the hotel was good the staff great

Clean rooms, helpfull staff. Very close to The Rambla. Red light square right in front of the hotel, therefore many voices in the night - but no noise from cars.

the hotel was good value,rooms clean and well decorated.The staf were excellent very friendly and helpful. The square was interesting with some working women but also a meeting place for locals,there were no hassles or problems so don't let this put you off. we would go back.

The Barbara was clean, friendly but basic : small tiled room (the double was in fact a twin) bedside table but no chair... but the beds were comfy, the bathroom had shower and tub. We had requested a quiet room at the back, so we weren't bothered by the noise from the square (the only noise we experienced was from the other guests yelling to each other in the corridor - the doors are paper-thin), on the other hand the room was fairly gloomy. I think if we had read about the "the small and sometime busy square" before booking we might have changed our minds - but in fact it was no problem, and the hotel door is always locked and someone always on reception. Breakfast is help-yourself brioche or croissant, butter & jam, orange juice, coffee or tea... as much as you want. The hotel is very central, close to 2 metro stations - for the price we thought it was a very good deal.

The Barbara was indeed a clean, welcoming and friendly hotel. We have no complaints,but readers of the website should know that "the small and sometime busy square" is just that because apart from other things it's a meeting place for prostitutes and their clients.How you word this on your website I'm not sure for it would be wrong to jeopardise the hotel in any way.

Excellent budget hotel, rooms basic but very clean. Staff friendly and helpful and breakfast fresh and ample. BUT the "lively square" outside turned out to be in the Red Light district, populated by prostitutes and pimps. We were kept awake by the noise until the early hours of each morning.

Hotel is basic but clean, the location is ideal for the city centre and harbour. The area in which the hotel is situated is frequented by prostitutes and is very noisy at night, so no good for kids.

loved it loved it loved it