Just returned from 3 nights in Barcelona staying at Hotel Universal. I always use this site and thought it was about time I contributed!.

Hotel is 4 star, very corporate I think it may be more a buisness hotel. If you prefer character I would suggest it's not for you, but I personally liked it. Very clean, small rooftop pool ( must go up to the roof fab views of the city) a short walk from Metro (Paral-el on line 3.) And a stroll to the Ramblas. Breakfast is buffet style and worth having to set you up for the day (I think it added about £25 to our 3 nigt stay which I think is worth it.) A number of staff speak english. The only down side for me was the beds- not the most comfortable and only 1 pillow!, that said with all the walking I still slept soundly.

Top tips for Barceloan include: get the local bus form the airport into the city, it's cheap and runs form out front going to both Plaza Espanya ( can get onto the metro there for this hotel) and Plaza Catalunya ( which is right in the centre.)

Dont go to MontJuic park on Sunday!, unless you are prepared to que. We went to go on the cable car and turned round as the que was so huge, even this early in the year, went back Monday and walked straight on!.

Finally do the Bus tour (Barcelona Bus Turistica) there are 3 routs covering the whole city, 20 euro's for a one day ticket I relaly cant recommend it enough, saves the feet and you gte to see everything and then can then re visit the things you relaly want to see.

In the evenings we found good nightlife at Port Olympic ( the site of the 92 games) whcih has been re developed and has some great restaurants and bars as well as great becah side views.

Source: TripAdvisor