After a 20 minute cab ride from the airport we arrived at the Le Meridien shortly before 8AM. The Le Meridien is located off of Las Ramblas, one of the busiest tourist zones of Barcelona.
Unassuming hotel exterior
Le Meridien restaurant entrance
Once in the lobby we were welcomed by two super-friendly check-in agents, who couldn’t have been nicer. As a matter of fact they were scam-artist friendly, if you know what I mean. Fortunately they didn’t appear to have any ulterior motives.
Lobby
Despite it being before 8AM they had no problem checking us in. We even got (without asking!) an upgrade to one of their prestige suites. While the free continental breakfast for Platinum members wasn’t yet a benefit during our stay, we did get a voucher for two free coffees from their café. On the whole, a pretty great deal on cash and points for only 4,800 SPG points and $90USD per night.
Our suite was located on the 4th floor overlooking Las Ramblas.
The suite featured a living room with plenty of “open space.” There was a circular couch, table with chairs, and desk.
Living room
Living room
Living room
To the right side was the bedroom, featuring a really comfortable bed.
Bedroom
Bedroom
Bedroom
Across from the bedroom was the bathroom, which featured a walk-in shower, tub, toilet, and sink. The water pressure and temperature control were both excellent.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Even though there’s construction going on at the hotel I can’t say I noticed it all that much. Any noise we heard was from Las Ramblas, given that our room was directly overlooking it.
View from room
On the whole I found the service at the hotel to be phenomenal. All of the employees — from the front desk to the concierge to the bellman – were top notch and genuinely eager to please.
As far as the location of the hotel goes, it’s both a blessing and a curse. Las Ramblas is as touristy as it gets in Barcelona, so on one hand you’re centrally located for just about anything touristy you’d want to see. At the same time, Las Ramblas really is a bit of a tourist trap, so any restaurants and activities located along the street are over priced and lower quality than what you’d get elsewhere.
For what it’s worth I noticed the Mandarin Oriental is located along Passeig de Gracia, which is more like the 5th Avenue of Barcelona, while Las Ramblas would be more likes Times Square. Obviously it’s a bit more pricey, though if it wasn’t too much more I’d definitely consider it in the future.
Anyway, on the whole I found the Le Meridien to be fantastic. The service and suite upgrade were great, and an especially good value given that I used cash and points.
If I were to return I might try the W Hotel which is located by the water, or if it were a special occasion I might stay at the Mandarin Oriental, which looked really nice from my brief visit to the lobby. But I wouldn’t for a second hesitate to stay at the Le Meridien again.
No issues with staying in the same room despite each night being a separate booking?
@ unavaca -- Frankly given the good deal at the Le Meridien the thought of staying at the Four Points didn't even cross my mind.
No mention at all of the 4P on Avenida Diagonal?
We stayed here and highly recommend it..its in the middle of Barcelona and has easy access to the whole city via Metro...there is an express bus from the airport to Placa de Catalunza for less than 10 eur RT...its a short walk to the Le Meridien...BTW the W on the waterfront is totally isolated and somewhat diffecult to get to...............
By far, the best hotel staff and front desk folks in the *wood system. Now that I think of it, the best staff Period!
@Pegusus "Russian mafia marble trick scam" ? Do you mean a "shell game" confidence game scam, or are you referring to actual robbery ?
@ Ann -- Unlike points redemptions, cash and points is capacity controlled, so usually only available in the slow season.
If one wishes to stay on Las Ramblas, Hotel 1898 is far and away the best choice. Much nicer than Le Meridien. Great service and great rooftop pool/terrace (although perhaps not all that great in February).
If you like watching top-less ladies or guys in speedos, I would recommend W hotel. But maybe not in February....
stayed there in December and loved the location! (no upgrade though, only SPG gold) Nevertheless, miss going to the Boqueria every AM for breakfast!
how did you manage to get it as cash and points? cash and points for only 4,800 SPG points and $90USD per night?
I am looking at it and it says EUR 619 /night
and free SPG nights only..
that is a great deal! is it because you are platinum?
thanks!
I just checked out at the LM couple nights ago. We arrived late, after midnight, the cab ride as just under 30 ero, probably because of late night surcharge. Great location. Was upgraded to the prestige suite using a confirmed Platinum upgrade cert, classic style furnished, unlike Lucky's pictures above. Breakfast was in the restaurant on the right of the elevator, excellent breakfast buffet with mimosa. Would definite stay here again. Watch out for the...
I just checked out at the LM couple nights ago. We arrived late, after midnight, the cab ride as just under 30 ero, probably because of late night surcharge. Great location. Was upgraded to the prestige suite using a confirmed Platinum upgrade cert, classic style furnished, unlike Lucky's pictures above. Breakfast was in the restaurant on the right of the elevator, excellent breakfast buffet with mimosa. Would definite stay here again. Watch out for the Russian mafia marble trick scam on La ramblas, I witnessed a few unsuspecting tourists got robbed by these criminals.
Another choice is hotel pricessa sofia it used to be intercontinental,like 15 min walking distance from la ramblas in a quite posh area,excellent service with nice view from top floors,very good restaurants nearby mainly used by locals.
I'm doing 2 days at each next month - W to experience the beach and relax a bit, LM to be more in the middle of the action. Great review, hope I get the same room!
Thanks for the post
I visited recently and split my time between Le Meridien and the W. Although the W is right on the beach, brand new, and beautiful, I would choose Le Meridien as the better of the two. The W is just too far from everything (including the subway). Le Meridien is conveniently located by all modes of transport. As you mentioned, the downside is the touristy places right on la rambla.
@applezz13...
Thanks for the post
I visited recently and split my time between Le Meridien and the W. Although the W is right on the beach, brand new, and beautiful, I would choose Le Meridien as the better of the two. The W is just too far from everything (including the subway). Le Meridien is conveniently located by all modes of transport. As you mentioned, the downside is the touristy places right on la rambla.
@applezz13 - If you were looking to save on transport, there is a bus which departs frequently (like every 10 min or so) from the airport and after about 2 stops finishes at Placa de Catalunya 2 blocks north of Le Meridien. Cost is minimal.
@ applezz13 -- If I recall correctly about 25 Euros.
@ Andy -- Never ate at the restaurants so can't say for sure. Barcelona has some fantastic restaurants.
"Fortunately they didn’t appear to have any ulterior motives."
I should hope not! lol
How are the restaurant facilities at this hotel?
How much was the cab ride?
loved this hotel.. although I didn't get a prestige suite like you, I received a Jr. Suite upgrade as a spg plat