Hotel Neri – Relais & Chateaux

As a recent traveler to Barcelona, I must say I had mixed feelings about my stay at this highly acclaimed hotel. Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful establishment with a great location near the bustling Ramblas and other popular sites. However, it didn't quite live up to its touted reputation.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly but slightly overworked staff member who seemed preoccupied with the 11:00 AM rush. While he did provide helpful information about the city, his attitude came off as a bit insincere. Additionally, our request to leave our luggage and check in later seemed to be a difficult task for him, which was surprising considering he appeared to be the main face of the hotel.

To be fair, the other front desk staff were fantastic and assisted us with arranging a morning taxi and recommending great cocktail bars. Our suite, located in a separate building a short distance away, was spacious but oddly laid out with the bathroom located far from the bedroom and a somewhat awkward layout. The pool on the rooftop had no guests and looked uninviting, with dirty water.

Overall, the experience left me with the impression that the hotel was trying to maintain a facade of being the "finest in the land" but fell short of its own standards. While it may have a 4-star rating, it didn't quite live up to the lofty expectations. Despite this, I can say it is a decent spot with comfortable beds, pillows, and even turn-down service, for those who enjoy that.

From the momant we walked in we were treaded like royelty. Tima, the Bellman, was so helful and welcomning. Gave us a toure of the propety, tips on the city and directons to where we wanted to goo. The rooms were nice, bed was soo comfy, especially after a long journy..

?‍✈️ The staff member who tended to us was truly exceptional! He went above and beyond to make sure our stay was perfect! Not only did he help with our luggage upon arrival, but he also gave us a tour of our room and offered great dining suggestions. Every time we ran into him, even in the city, he greeted us by name and made us feel special. And when we checked out, he kindly assisted with our bags. He was definitely not your average bellman!

From the moment Thomas greeted us in a friendly and helpful manner and guided our cab to the bustling square, I had a feeling our stay at Hotel Neri – Relais & Chateaux would be something special. And I was not wrong. The staff were always warm and attentive, making our short stay a delightful experience. The dining was exceptional, with the staff constantly on top of their game and the food itself simply fabulous. Our room was spacious and beautifully decorated, with a polished and elegant feel. I was especially intrigued by the history of the courtyard behind the hotel. The location was perfect for exploring many of Barcelona's top attractions, and the charming Gothic Quarter added to the overall experience. And let's not forget the gelato shop next door to the hotel - a must-visit! A big thank you to Thomas for being such a helpful and knowledgeable presence throughout our stay, always ready to assist with any questions or needs that arose.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Our stay was decent, but it wasn't exactly what we were hoping for ? The kitchen was well-equipped and the rooftop pool was a nice touch, but there was nothing particularly luxurious about our apartment. ? Housekeeping was also a bit of a letdown, always forgetting something and leaving us to call for it. ? Noise was a big issue, with the bars and tapas places right outside keeping us up until midnight. ? Breakfast was good, but nothing to brag about. ?‍♀️ And while the bed was comfy, the TV on the floor in the living room was just hilarious. ? Overall, the price was steep for what we got and we'll probably look for a more luxurious option outside the touristy area next time. ? But for a quick stay in Barcelona, it's not a bad choice. Just be prepared for the pros and cons before booking. ?