Silken Ramblas

Great Location

Silken Ramblas (previously the Ambassador) is a business-style hotel, well located close to La Rambla and just a couple of blocks away from Plaza Catalunya. The service from the front-desk staff was efficient, albeit a bit dry at times, but the staff at breakfast were great, and the housekeepers were very friendly. The rooms are nicely furnished and comfortable (ours was a good size), but those near to the elevators are too close to the doors and the hotel didn’t deactivate any elevators at night, (although they said they do) so noise would probably be a problem. And as in so many hotels, the walls are paper thin, so we could hear some of our neighbours’ conversations (and their ablutions!). The wi-fi connection to the rooms failed while we were there (Oct 09), and 3 days later (when we left), still hadn’t been fixed. Connection was available in the lobby, so at times there were quite a few people scattered around with their lap-tops. Not the end of the world, but inconvenient, particularly for business travellers. Overall an OK place to stay, particularly for it’s location, but wouldn’t want to pay the full rate.

Try not to go during a Spanish public holiday. We couldn’t believe how many people were there over the weekend, and it was uncomfortable at times (and locals were complaining that it was low season!). Keep your street-smarts about you and keep your bags/purses small, closed, and close to your body, and don’t leave your bags on the floor/chair under your table while eating. Although we had read plenty of horror stories about La Ramble before we went, we saw nothing untoward and nothing bad happened to us, but like any big city, there are always pickpockets waiting to take advantage of people who’ve let their guards down.

Convenience in Barcelona

Silken Ramblas is 20th century modern - bright, chrome downstairs - but is just a block from the Rambla where it is such fun to walk and sit and observe the diverse crowd walking along. Lobbyu is ordinaryu but comfortable. Room was actually a suite with entry hall, living room with sofa, coffee table and mini-bar, then hallway with two sinks and door to bathroom with large tub, then large bedroom with king bed, end tables, dresser/desk and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking quiet small street. Lots of closet and drawer space. Good breakfast plan: you can just pay 5 euros for juice, toast and coffee, 10 euros to add eggs, or 15 euros for buffet. Good service, got us taxi to airport at 6:30 a.m.

Hop-on-hop off buses with open top are essential to get full perspective of city. They depart from Plaza de la Catalunya, at the end of the Ramblas. Blue route goes to one part, red route to another - and you can do it all in one day or do them on two consecutive days. Cost is 21 euros for 1 day, 27 euros for 2 day ticket. Earphones describe the sights in 10 languages.

Excellent hotel

This hotel came up to all our expectations. It is clean and comfortable, and the staff (nearly all English speaking) were helpful and knowledgeable. We had a second floor non-smoking room overlooking a quiet courtyard and slept very peacefully. It is splendidly placed for sight seeing - just off La Ramblas and near to the Liceu metro. We stayed 5 nights for a family wedding and would certainly return. The food was good, though the breakfast offered only a limited (and quite expensive) choice for English tastes. Plenty of good restaurants nearby.