Our family of 3 travels quite often and are members of several major hotel chains. However, there are no major ones other than Hilton near the waterfront in Barcelona. We opted to try this hotel, Icaria BCN...4 star, 2 blocks from the beach, away from tourists and a 16 multi-plex that plays films in the original language. It is in the Olympic Village area which is very residential but taking #14 bus goes to Port Vell, Las Ramblas and Plaza de Catalunya. and it is only 1.25 euros. The hotel is walking distance to Olympic port with numerous restaurants. If you like to walk, the promenade will all along the waterfront.

Now the hotel...It is very modern and chic without feeling pretentious. The regular room was large for European standards, sound proof, comfortable bedding and bed and good quality amenities. The suite includes a computer, so no need to drag a laptop. There are 3 computers gratis for your use in the lobby also.

The dining was good. Breakfast was a buffet and dinner had interesting choices that are prepared fresh, so be prepared to wait. But it is worth it. Pricing is very good. We had also ordered room service in which pricing is better than any hotel I have seen in the past. Some items are available 24 hours.

The hotel has two outstanding members at the front desk. They are pleasant, knowledgeable and very efficient. I know it is a difficult task when dealing with the public but they do so with ease and a smile, which is important. They make an excellent impression.

We decided that this hotel is outstanding in price, comfort and location. We will definitely stay there in the near future.

I liked very much the hotel and room facilities, specially the pool area, the computers, and the free Wi-Fi. The beach and many venues are really near, only couple of blocks. They have a very good breakfast buffet with show cooking.

For what we paid, we expected more. Our dissatisfaction with the Hotel Icaria Barcelona concerns both the design and the service.

The design: In general, we found the hotel easier to look at, than to stay in. It was over-designed and too modern, particularly the bathroom.

1) The door stops were set in the floor, where you can break your toe going to the bathroom at night

2) The bathroom door was not hung properly, it takes two hands to close

3) The water never gets very hot or cold, except early in the morning

4) The room hadthe most complicated lighting controls ever, fifteen buttons in the wall next to the bed, with no instructions whatsoever.

The service: None of the staff were over thirty-five and though very friendly, apparently had no idea what a four-star hotel should be like.

1) There was no clock in room

2) There was no telephone directory; when I asked for one at the desk, I got a look of baffled incomprehension. What would I want one of those for?

3) The bed had flat, thin pillows; no other kinds of pillows were available

4) A substandard mini bar; we found the ice tray only partially frozen with little insects floating around in it

5) There was no room service after 11 pm

6) The wall under the window bore scuff marks, as if someone had wiped his shoes on it

7) There was not a clean window in the place

8) The swimming pool had the leaves and debris cleaned out only once a day

9) The cabana area: other guests' used crockery left standing for hours

10) The Jacuzzi was scummy.

On top of all this, we also had a steam shovel going to work early in the morning on the construction site right next to the hotel.

What we did like:

(1) We had an actual double bed, not two singles pushed together

(2) We had fully functional and easily controlled air conditioning;

(3) 24-hour free Internet access.

It would have been OK if substantially less had been charged. We won't be going back.