B&B Boutique Ca La Maria

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at a B&B in Barcelona for three nights after our 20-night cruise. It was conveniently located near the Diagonal metro stop, where we took a short walk from the cruise port. Our room was situated in the "annex" above a restaurant, alongside the five rooms in the main building. We were impressed with our spacious bedroom that also had a small adjoining area with a lovely view of the courtyard. However, there was no balcony or veranda. The bathroom was clean and well-maintained, with a large shower and bathtub that were easy to use. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the delicious breakfasts. They were so satisfying that we only needed to worry about dinner. The staff was incredibly friendly, especially Vanessa, who assisted us on two occasions. We also enjoyed getting to know the other guests during our time there.

We did arrive early on a Sunday, which may have rushed the housekeeping, as we found a missing sheet on our bed. However, we were grateful to be able to check into our room before noon and start exploring Barcelona right away. Our building only had three rooms, and we appreciated the added convenience of a coffee maker in the hallway. Despite the busy location, we were not disturbed by any noises from the other rooms or the street. The prime location was just a few blocks away from the Pedrera and the Mansion of Discord, both designed by Gaudi. We made use of the Hop On & Hop Off bus for our non-walking adventures, but we also enjoyed strolling along the charming streets near the B&B, such as Ramblas de Catalunya, Pg./Gran de Gracia, and Balmes. One evening, we dined at the restaurant across the street, Bronzo, where we had a pleasant late afternoon meal in the peaceful area next to the quieter street of Corsega. Overall, we had a memorable and enjoyable stay at this B&B in Barcelona.

We couldn't have chosen a better location for our visit to Barcelona. The hotel was conveniently located near all the popular attractions, restaurants, and transportation. The staff were incredibly friendly and accommodating, making our stay even more enjoyable. Guillem, who was working during our time there, showed us genuine kindness, warmth, and exceptional service throughout our stay. Each morning we were treated to a delicious breakfast spread that catered to everyone's tastes. The spacious and welcoming terrace or indoor dining area were the perfect places to enjoy our meal. The suite we booked was more than satisfactory, meeting all of our expectations. However, the Caneletas room was a bit snug for a couple. Outside of the B&B, we were able to find a reliable and honest taxi service.

Based on my recent experience in Barcelona, I would not recommend this hotel. Unfortunately, the website did not accurately reflect the reality of the property. Our room was located in a different building down the street, which was quite inconvenient. Furthermore, the room was not as clean as expected and had some issues, like polyester sheets, a foul smell in the bathroom, and drapes that were hanging low. The safe and coffee maker were also not functioning properly, and we had no assistance in fixing these problems. Additionally, the furnishings appeared worn and the shower was in poor condition. Overall, our stay was not as pleasant as the website had portrayed.

Our stay at this B&B in Barcelona was reminiscent of a scene from the 1960s American sitcom Get Smart. Arriving on a quiet Sunday evening, we had to navigate a series of instructions, an app, and multiple passcodes in order to access our room. The process felt a bit confusing, with one set of instructions even stating, "To open the glass door before the lift, you will have to combine pressing the button on the intercom...plus the 'Next Door' option on our Akiles cell phone access tool." Despite the initial hurdles, our room was spacious and comfortable, especially once we got the air conditioning going. The breakfasts were decent, offering yogurt, bread, cheese, cold cuts, and a warm egg dish. However, we were disappointed that the B&B did not provide a variety of fresh pastries from the many bakeries in the city. One day, they did have a leftover cake from the owner's son's birthday party, which we were served as seconds. The B&B also provided wall-mounted soap and shampoo dispensers in the shower, but our soap dispenser was empty and never replenished during our stay. The common area had a Nespresso machine and a kettle, but dirty dishes were not cleared and supplies were not restocked for the first three days. Overall, while our stay was pleasant, we had higher expectations for the price we paid.

The bed and breakfast we stayed at in Barcelona was charming and intimate, but fell short of its pricey reputation. The staff greeted us warmly upon arrival and were helpful throughout our stay. Our room was located in the neighboring building and while it was clean, it lacked natural light, particularly in the bathroom. The provision of slippers and robes was a nice touch. The air conditioning was effective, but required frequent adjustments to maintain a consistent temperature. The room itself could use some maintenance work. Despite booking a superior room, it was not on par with the one next door that I had a peek at. I recommend clarifying the location and type of room assigned when making a reservation. The breakfast was satisfactory, with a good selection of cooked meats and eggs. However, there were no pastries available. Guests can choose to dine indoors or on the beautiful terrace, which is accessible 24/7 (although unlit at night due to city regulations). The rooftop bar, where you can enjoy a selection of drinks and contribute to a charitable cause, was a unique and appreciated feature. Each building also provides filtered water and coffee machines for convenience, although the coffee pods in the neighboring building were not frequently restocked. Overall, our stay was enjoyable but considering the price, I had higher expectations.