Hotel Actual

A perfectly located hotel (especially for Gaudí fans), with utilitarian but stylish white and brown rooms, and some more exuberant suites

Just round the corner from - and with views of - Gaudí’s famous La Pedrera building, Hotel Actual is refreshingly simple and efficient, catering to business people during the week and visitors during the weekends. Owned by the trendy interiors shop Gimeno 102 on Passeig de Gràcia, it's full of stylish touches, from the beautiful flower arrangements to the mellow jazz music played in the lobby.

Bedrooms are identikit-cool - modern, minimalistic and two-tone - but with enough comforts to feel welcoming. Junior Suites provide a dash of exuberance, with intricately painted ceilings and the odd chandelier. Reception staff add to that with excellent English and handy tips on tapas and tourism, as well as free maps. There's free internet access, an excellent buffet breakfast, and more cafés plus a metro stop around the corner. If you feel like splurging for dinner, the renowned restaurant Moo (within Hotel Omm) is right opposite; you can splash out, knowing you're saving plenty on the room prices!

Highs

• Location, location, location - this is a fantastic setting for sightseeing and shopping
• The rooms at the back have views over the amazing chimney stacks of La Pedrera
• There's a discount for weekend stays
• The reception desk staff are very helpful

Lows

• Mixed feedback recently
• The rooms aren't huge and most have twin rather than double beds
• There's some internal noise and occasional street noise - light sleepers beware
• You may feel the metro rumbling beneath the building every now and then, but it wasn't enough to disturb us
• Some rooms don't have views, but cheaper rates compensate for this