Hotel 1898 is a four-class hotel with 169 rooms, a short walk from La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya and close to Barcelona Cathedral. The booking listing does not give a street address but describes the setting clearly, and it adds that the property is in the city's Low Emission Zone, so foreign-plated vehicles must register in advance. The hotel scores 9.4, described as exceptional, from 1,135 reviews. Its facilities are comprehensive for a central hotel: a rooftop terrace, a spa with a sauna, hot tub, Turkish bath and body treatments, facials and massage, a seasonal outdoor pool that does not describe as rooftop, a gym, a restaurant called El Nido and two cafés. There is also a library, a ballroom and wedding services, a 24-hour front desk, free wifi and luggage storage. Buffet breakfast and self parking cost extra. For visitors who want to sleep in the old town but also use a spa and take a drink on the roof, it offers more than most hotels in the area.
Who it suits
First-time visitors, couples and friends who prefer the old town and want to walk everywhere. From the hotel, La Rambla, the Boqueria, the Gothic Quarter and the cathedral are all within a short stroll, and Plaça de Catalunya gives you the airport bus and the metro.
The size means there is a good choice of room types, and the facilities help on days when the weather is poor or your feet need a break. It is less suited to travellers who want a quiet residential street, since the surrounding area is busy day and night.
Staying well
Book a spa session early, as the Turkish bath and treatments are popular, and check when the outdoor pool is open. The rooftop is at its best in the evening in warm months. Keep valuables secure in the crowded streets nearby. If you are driving, note the Low Emission Zone rules and the surcharge for parking, and consider leaving the car outside the centre. Breakfast is a buffet at an added cost, so decide whether to take it or find a café on the way to your first sight.
Value
Rates for a four-class hotel in the heart of the old town are mid to upper range and rise at peak times. Tourist tax is added per person per night. The value case is simple: a central location with a spa, a roof terrace and a very strong guest score, at a lower price than the five-star grand hotels.
Compare it with the other central options in this guide and check the cancellation terms. Because does not state a street address, check the exact location on your booking confirmation before planning your arrival and your walking routes.
Why stay here
- ✓Rooftop terrace
- ✓Seasonal outdoor pool
- ✓Spa with sauna and Turkish bath
- ✓Gym
- ✓Restaurant El Nido
- ✓Two cafes
- ✓Library and ballroom
- ✓24-hour front desk
Good questions
Where is Hotel 1898?+
A short walk from La Rambla and Plaça de Catalunya, near Barcelona Cathedral. The booking page gives no street address, so check your booking confirmation.
Does it have a spa and pool?+
Yes. There is a spa with sauna, hot tub and Turkish bath, and a seasonal outdoor pool. The booking page does not describe the pool as being on the roof.
Can I bring a car?+
The hotel is in the Low Emission Zone, so non-Spanish-plated vehicles must register in advance, and self parking costs extra.
