Olivia Balmes Hotel (Barcelona, Spain)

Staff at Olivia Balmes offer excellent customer service; everything is dealt with quickly and with a smile- from check-in and beyond. They are also knowledgeable on the local area and happy to assist guests to make reservations and arrange trips to local attractions.

For most, the hotel is ideally situated. Just two blocks from the designer shops of Passeig de Gracia, surrounded by cafes and independent shops and within easy reach of all the most popular tourist attractions; thanks to the metro station nearby.

Even from the outside, the hotel is a sight to behold, with a modern, glass-covered exterior. Step inside and the interior is equally as impressive; with stylish, spacious and comfortable rooms and a contemporary, eco-friendly vibe- with low-level lighting and solar panels. A peaceful, architecturally stunning building in a bustling City.

While the rooftop terrace and pool area is a popular spot with most guests, one common criticism is that there are not enough loungers. The leisure facilities do get busy and the lack of seating means that it is only accessible to a small number of guests.

Some guests love the unique layouts of the rooms but it won't work for all; with an open plan bathroom set-up in many rooms, rooms are high on style, but lack privacy and, some feel, practicality.

Guests have suggested that there are few in the way of English-speaking channels on the TVs in the guest rooms. Not a deal-breaker for most, of course, but worthy of a mention.