Barcelona Hotels: Hotel del Mar Review
For years, I’ve heard great things about Barcelona and how it surprises a lot of foreign visitors, especially when it comes to the gastronomy and architectural aspects. Much to my surprise, this city is more than meets the eyes. Let me share with you my experience of staying at Barcelona’s remarkable hotel – Hotel del Mar.
From afar, I saw our driver waiving a whiteboard with our names on it – and that’s the time I finally realized, I was already in Barcelona. It took approximately 4 hours to reach Barcelona from Madrid via Eurail, but the scenic view from my window made the trip less dull. Thanks to my pocket Wi-Fi, I was able to work and keep myself occupied while en route to Barcelona.
I can’t help but get all giddy upon stepping foot in Barcelona. There are plenty of things going through my mind from activities to do in daylight and at nighttime, where to sip the finest Catalan wines, and the best views to take that Instagram-worthy shot.
Our visit to Barcelona was part of a 12-day Spain familiarization trip sponsored by the Spain Tourism Board and Turkish Airlines.
From Barcelona Sants train station, we proceeded to Hotel del Mar – our official home in Barcelona.
Hotel Location
Hotel del Mar (hotel info) is conveniently located in the heart of Barcelona, a 5-minute walk from the touristy El Born district and Ciutadella Park where shopping and other restaurants can be found, and probably one of the locals’ favorite areas in Barcelona.
What makes this hotel more convenient for travelers is its accessibility to a nearby bus, train, and metro lines allowing you to travel around the city easily. But of course, Barcelona is a perfect city to do a walking tour and that’s what we did most of the time.
Nearby places of interest
If you’re just planning your itinerary in Barcelona, here are some suggestions that might be of help:
- Barcelona Port: 50 m
- Moll de Fusta: 150 m
- The Ramblas of Barcelona: 200 m
- Ciutadella Park: 450 m
- The Cathedral: 800 m
- Maremagnum shopping center: 1 km
How to get to Hotel del Mar Barcelona
Since UBER services are suspended in the city, there are other options on how you can reach Hotel de Mar like the following:
- By car or taxi: the airport is 14 km from the center and the journey takes about 13 minutes.
- By train: from the airport take the train to Passeig de Gràcia station and from there, take another train to Estació de França (on the same platform). The hotel is located 100 meters far away.
Public transport nearby
For those who want to skip riding the taxi and want to experience commuting around the city, check out some public transport below:
- Metro: Barceloneta is 230 m away (a 3-minute walk)
- Train: Francia Station is 350 m away (a 4-minute walk)
- Tourist bus: there is a stop in the same square where the hotel is located. You will also find several bus stops nearby.
Arrival Experience
Hotel del Mar may be a 3-star hotel, but its façade, services, amenities, and facilities do not disappoint. Its main entrance is located behind the Roman-style pillars, with an ornate wrought-iron balcony. Its overall façade is impressive with a maritime theme and elements going around, with lots of blue and nautical memorabilia and harbor front maps.
The building is obviously old but is elegantly designed. The lobby is not that huge since it maintained its original design. Upon arrival, an English-speaking attendant helped us in the check-in process and it was seamless. They also assisted us in bringing our luggage to our rooms.
Rooms
Hotel del Mar is a 3-star hotel with 72 comfortable and bright rooms boasting an elegant and cozy decoration. Some of the rooms are built with a terrace, giving their guests a view of the astonishing landscape of Barcelona.
I stayed in room 409 on the highest floor, which has a beautiful terrace with a beautiful view of the nearby parks and historic buildings. The experience was made more exciting as I stayed with Monette, a good friend who visited me all the way from Switzerland. We definitely got the vast room, composed of two beds and enough to accommodate two more people.
All rooms feature the following: heating and air conditioning, flat-screen satellite TV, safe (with extra charge), bathroom with hairdryer, and amenities.
Food
Another thing about Hotel del Mar is that they have vending machines available on the breakfast floor. The spread buffet breakfast is available from 7 a.m to 10:30 a.m. We had an amazing buffet with a pretty amazing food selection, from local to western breakfast staples. The restaurant interior remained consistent with the hotel themes of blue and brown hues, which makes dining homier and more comfortable.
Resort Facilities
If you plan on staying longer in Barcelona but you have few clothes with you, worry not, as this hotel offers laundry and ironing service. To those who travel for business purposes, Hotel del Mar also has a fast and reliable WiFi you can count on.
Departure
Since we are just staying in the hotel for one night, they allowed us to leave our luggage while we continue touring the city. It was a pleasant hotel with a very nice location. I would love to stay longer but we are scheduled to visit Logrono the next day for the continuation of our familiarization trip.
Final Verdict
There are three things that I love about the hotel their helpful and polite staff, good location, and their beautiful terrace. I have a fascination with hotel rooms with beautiful terraces and views. It is a recommended hotel, especially for those who want to explore more restaurants as much as possible. A number of restaurants are within close proximity making food trips more convenient if you stay here. It may not suit those looking for a truly cosmopolitan experience of Barcelona but in terms of convenience, the hotel offers a resting place close to the train station in relaxed surroundings.
Hotel del Mar
Book Online via Agoda
Address: Pla de Palau, 19, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Phone: +34 933 19 33 02
Also see:
- 5 Tips on How to Visit Barcelona with a Student Budget
- Barcelona: More than just the Nou Camp and beaches
- Top Five Things To Do When Visiting Barcelona
- Brilliant Streets and Genius Architecture: Two Days in Barcelona, Spain
- Ultimate List of the Best Hotels in Barcelona
- Top 15 Best Things to Do and See in Barcelona, Spain