Hotel Denit

Attentive service, trendy minimalism and budget prices at this no-frills hotel in Barcelona's Gothic quarter

Despite being an easy stroll from buzzy nightlife on the Plaça Catalunya, designer boutiques on Calle Avinyo, and the livewire delights of the labyrinthine Gothic Quarter, the Hotel Denit is a noise-free sanctuary. Tucked down a quiet sidestreet, its shop-front façade opens onto a chessboard-style black-and-white lobby that sets the tone for the white, minimalist décor that runs throughout. If style is somewhat stark, the reception staff are friendly, and happy to dish out helpful advice about their city.

A slightly cramped elevator sweeps you up to the 36 rooms spread across 5 floors, where you’ll find a soothing modern blend of white wood and pale furnishings. Each is cleverly laid out to maximise space, and whilst the focus is on functional rather than luxuriant, you still get the odd treat: flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, power showers. But the real beauty of Denit is its location (within easy reach of the city's hotspots) and its prices: the earlier you book, the less you pay.

Highs

• Squeaky clean rooms with attractive modern decor
• Peaceful slumbers guaranteed, yet you're seconds away from the city’s main arteries and close to the street-artist and market-stall-packed Ramblas
• Friendly, helpful staff who go that extra mile to help you get the best out of your stay
• Close to vibrant nightlife venues, so a perfect choice for people wanting to party

Lows

• Bathrooms are behind a frosted glass door rather than being completely separate from the bedroom; no toiletries
• Rooms are small
• Lack of privacy in the courtyard-facing rooms, which are overlooked by flats - but you can always pull the blinds or request a street-view room
• No place to park nearby, but we wouldn't recommend bringing a car anyway, especially when the city’s transport system is so good