Hotel Dengan Gym di Catalonia, Spain

I stayed here for 4 nights. As a 5-star hotel, the price (around 700,000 won per night) is quite high. The problem is, this hotel is definitely not a 5-star by general global standards. (I'm curious how it got its 5-star rating.) You should really consider it a 3 to 4-star hotel. As you can see from the Trip.com rating, I travel to many hotels worldwide every year, and I've never seen a 5-star hotel (including boutique and small luxury) like this. 1. **Facilities**: The rooftop pool is ridiculously small, the size of a jacuzzi for about 3-4 people, because they tried to fit a bar into a space that was already too small for a pool, clearly prioritizing sales. There are no sunbeds, of course, and only 2-3 chairs available. Even this 'pool' closes at 7 PM. It's very different from the rooftop pool in the advertisements. It's best to assume there's no pool at all; it's purely for show. 2. **Location**: This is a small to medium-sized boutique-style hotel, and its location means taxis and other vehicles cannot stop directly in front of it. You have to carry all your luggage to and from a nearby road. Naturally, there's no concierge service to assist with this. One of the two elevators was always broken, and they were small and dark. 3. **Room**: I usually sleep well even with noise, but this time it was really difficult. I was assigned a room on the first floor, and the noise from the surrounding alleyways came straight through; there was absolutely no soundproofing. I was shocked by the level of sound insulation for a 5-star hotel. Especially the rooms along lines 8-10, which face a main alley where people walk around late, were so noisy that I couldn't sleep until the early hours of the morning. I also don't recommend the breakfast, as the variety was too limited for the price. The cafe next to the breakfast restaurant opens early, and there are many bakeries and restaurants nearby, so you have plenty of other options. The hygiene and friendliness were acceptable, and it would have been fine if the price was appropriate for a 3-4 star hotel. However, it is definitely not a 5-star hotel, and I hope this helps those who are considering it.

As a repeat guest of Catalonia Hotels & Resorts (I’ve stayed at Catalonia Square 4* Sup several times and consider myself a loyal member of the chain), I had high expectations when booking Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia 4*. Unfortunately, this stay was a complete letdown. I’ll start with the positives: the location is excellent, and the room itself was clean and comfortable. Beyond that, however, there was a striking absence of genuine hospitality. The luggage delivery service felt staged and carried an obvious expectation of tips, more reminiscent of a comedic trope than professional hotel service. As a returning guest, I received zero acknowledgment or mention of any loyalty recognition. To make matters worse, the reception staff at checkout didn’t even bother to say “thank you” or “goodbye.” The overall demeanor felt indifferent, as though accommodating guests was a burden rather than their responsibility. What’s particularly concerning is the complete lack of transparency regarding costs. Trip.com does not receive the full pricing breakdown from the hotel, which results in misleading booking conditions. There was absolutely no mention of a required deposit during the reservation process. Yet, I was charged a €200 hold for a two-night stay, allegedly to cover minibar charges or potential room damage. At checkout, no one inspected the room. If there’s no verification process, what is the real purpose of withholding funds? It felt less like a standard safeguard and more like an unnecessary financial hurdle. Even more troubling was the city tax discrepancy. My booking voucher clearly stated a €12.45 tourist tax, but I was charged €19.50 upon departure. When I questioned the difference, I received no explanation and was not provided with an official receipt. For a 4-star property, this level of billing opacity is unacceptable. The hotel’s policies and general atmosphere feel rigidly outdated, evoking 19th-century formality without any of the accompanying warmth or modern guest care. Finally, the breakfast was notably underwhelming: limited selection, repetitive, and well below the standard expected at this price point. While my previous experiences at Catalonia Square have always been positive and professional, Catalonia Passeig de Gràcia failed to meet even basic standards of courtesy, transparency, and service. I strongly advise future guests to verify all fees directly with the hotel before arrival and to keep detailed records of any charges. Until management addresses these operational gaps, I cannot recommend this property to fellow travelers or to loyal guests of the Catalonia chain.

I might be slightly harsh about this hotel and setting standards too high, but upon checking in to my room, I found the room to be somewhat old (normal given to age), but the water kettle was extremely dirty (hotel was kind to give me a replacement). Service was good, as expected from a 5 star hotel. Location was decent, a bit far from the tourist action which was nice. Saturday nights = party on the roof top bar which meant lots of noise and music even on the 9th floor. I was hoping for better but maybe this is what 5 star meant in Barcelona? I am not sure, I had a pleasant stay for my 4 nights but there were some ups and downs. Good restaurant, nice lobby. Also the bathroom window is completely see-through so if you like your privacy you might want to request it being blocked before you stay. Nice view from the roof.

The room is new and quite nice. They offer free luggage storage, and the front desk staff are very welcoming. You can also get free water and coffee at the front desk every day. However, the bed is a bit soft, which might not be suitable for people prone to back pain. The hotel is located in a quiet residential area with authentic bars and restaurants nearby. It's not too far and not too close to the city's attractions; walking might be a bit tiring, so public transport is usually needed. However, it's very close to the subway and bus stations, which is convenient.

This hotel was very clean and the reception staff were incredibly friendly. They even allowed me to check in early. I enjoyed relaxing in the lobby where I could get water. The location was great with many bus stops nearby, making it easy to get anywhere. It was also convenient that it's only about a 30 Euro taxi ride from the airport. The view from the window was lovely too. It's a bit pricey with the added local tax, but that's to be expected.

The parking fee was quite expensive, and the hotel elevator doesn't go directly to the parking lot. There was a power outage on the day I arrived, so the front desk helped me carry my luggage to the room. There are plenty of dining options nearby, and it's a very quiet area.

The environment here is pretty good. These photos were taken on May 7th. It's super convenient to get to Barcelona city center by metro, though sometimes there might be slight delays. There are also beaches nearby. Just a heads up, they don't provide slippers, and the toothbrushes are a bit low quality. Other than that, everything else is great, and the soundproofing is also quite good.

clean & peaceful lodging A few bus stops nearby. A metro station is about 15-20 minutes walking down/uphill. The hotel provides a ree shuttle minivan with advance notifications to a nearby metro station/shopping mall. It is less convenient with no local phone when booking a return pick up time because I couldn't foretell when I was able to return. The staff was considerate to allow us to check in slightly earlier. Without additional cost

Very nice hotel, nice breakfast and staff. Comfortable beds, just a bit noisy if you have loud neighbours. A bit of a walk from city centre but pleasant and bikes rental is available. Very close to the airport and the beaches. We really enjoyed it

This is a new hotel. It's a 15-minute drive (30 minutes by bus) from the city center. The rooms are quite spacious and come with a balcony, offering a wide, open view, which made for a very comfortable sleep. It's not far from the beach, so the sea-facing rooms probably have great views, though the city view is just okay. There are brunch spots and a small supermarket nearby, which is quite convenient. Getting to the city center by bus is super easy; the subway, tram, and bus stations are all just a five or six-minute walk away. The front desk staff were very friendly and spoke excellent English. Thumbs up! 👍