Pensión Ciudadela

This is an excellent place to stay provided that 1) you coordinate with the proprietors so you get the code to the door and 2) you're given specific instructions how to enter, etc. This place gets 5 stars from me because despite my listed cons, it was a wonderful place to stay at. PROs 1) Clean, well-maintained room with its own T&B - The room is small but it's enough for 2 people. You may have to adjust when you're unpacking and repacking if your luggage is bigger than small. Ideal for light travelers. 2) daily cleaning and change of towels 3) communal area with free water, ice, coffee. tea. and cupcakes; microwave and ref for communal use; breakfast nook and rooftop for communal use 4) a surprising haven in the middle of a pretty grungy area 5) best location - right across Estacio de Franca - major train station - and 2 bus stops that'll pretty much take you anywhere in the city; right in the middle of a lot of highly rated restaurants, bars, etc; right in the middle of museums and other cultural activities - - Right in the middle of so much interesting activity. 6) A haven in the middle of an area of Barcelona that is bustling with activity but is also somewhat filthy (cigarette butts everywhere) and smelly (urine smell on every other corner) - Seriously, when you enter the building, it's Barcelona in that area -- sort of grungy. When you enter the Pension, it's almost Zen. Quiet, clean, light. 7) Given the space, travelers are polite to each other but don't engage much so you have your privacy and distance. 8) friendly, helpful and accommodating proprietors = Cudos! CONs - mostly nitpicking 1) Like the other reviewer said - We need the code before we arrive. My friend and I arrived and got in because someone was exiting the building. Otherwise, we would have had to stand around outside while coordinating via cell phone. It was not ideal. 2) When we entered, the tiny foyer was home to 2 dead roaches (which became 3 and then which were ultimately all swept away at some point). It was not a welcoming experience, plus there was a faint scent of sewage. 3) No room safe. This is a must for travelers, really. 4) Info needed on where to get laundry done and how it works. We walked some 500-700 meters to a La Wash. Not hard really but some guidance would have been helpful. (I spent 20 mins trying to figure out how to pay at La Wash which didn't accept my CC. I ended up paying in cash.) - Maybe it would help to have a Pension map / primer with the following nearest: a) laundromat (and how to use it); b) supermarket / liquor store; c) pharmacy; d) bus stops; e) info on Estacio de Franca and how to read to the ticket; f) general info on public transport (how to buy a ticket, etc); g) how to get to the airport via cab, bus, train

Great place to stay for a few nights. The room is clean and comfortable, though small. But no complaints here. The only issue I had was actually getting into the building at first - a code is required which wasn't given to me, as well as a code for the apartment door within which the b&b is located. I got in thanks to someone coincidentally leaving the building and then someone coincidentally leaving the b&b upstairs. Other than that the owner is very kind and accomodating. Facilities are all good. Location is absolutely perfect, very close to the metro and bus lines, and situated on the edge of Barceloneta.