Duquesa de Cardona is a lovely boutique-style hotel with unique touches that make it stand out from other more traditional hotels. The friendliness of hotel staff is the main selling-point -- they truly go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and to give them advice on touring the city. The morning we arrived in Barcelona after a week-long cruise, we were much too early to check into our room but a very charming staff member pulled out all kinds of maps and brochures to give us very helpful ideas of things to do in the meantime. The breakfast buffet is a bit small but you will find plenty of good food to get you ready for a day of exploring Barcelona. The hotel is right along the waterfront and is an excellent base for visiting the Ciutat Vella, the Barri Gotic -- be sure to cross Passeig de Colom to visit the excellent Aquarium and to stroll through Barceloneta. The Zoo de Barcelona is an easy stroll from the hotel and makes a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon in the city.

The rooms are spacious and thoughtfully stocked with items that make your stay comfortable. Our room was perhaps not as clean as it could have been, particularly the carpet. A word of advice -- if you are a light sleeper, be sure to ask for a room on one of the upper floors. We were on the first floor just above a very busy sidewalk restaurant that could be quite noisy in the wee hours of the morning.

The locationof this hote l is fantastic - just off Las Rambles. Rooms were small and noisy - we requested a room on the higher floors but could still hear all the traffic and sirens from the road below. Got very little sleep here. Also - the swimming pool is more like an oversized bath - a joke really. Other than that though the hotel is ok - decor is good and the rooftop bar was lovely. Location is the main thing here though.

Booked this hotel as a more luxurious weekend break for my mum's 50th birthday present, so obviously was happy to spend a little more for extra comfort. Wasn't at all disappointed, the location was superb and I'd recommend paying the extra for a harbor view if you can - it was worth it to watch the fireworks from our balcony when spain won euro 2008...! Little extras were always well received, like daily weather report cards to help us plan the next day, and we were greeted by some lovely staff members who did everything to advise us so we could see the most of the city!! The hotel reserved the terrace bar on one evening of our stay, so to apologise for the inconvenience, we even received a free bottle of cava which was much appreciated!!! If you're anything like my mum and I, you can get around the city without paying anything for transport at all, as the food and drink in barcelona is quite costly. The city is relatively small but very hilly, so if you're not much of a walker stick to the underground!!

Again you look at the previous reviews & some are raving about the hotel while others do not.
In our case WE LOVED IT. 8 great days spent here.We knew from previous visits to Barcelona that the hotel was in a great location. You can catch all the tour buses only 5 minutes walk away at the Columbus Column. The Rambles is 5 minute from the hotel. You overlook the everchanging Marina & if you walk behind the hotel you go directly into the Gothic area where ther is a multitude of things to see & small places to eat. Don't eat in the TOURISTY Les Ramblas. Get out in the back streets & eat there.
Therefore the hotel was ideal for our needs. The room was immaculate & well kept & the staff were always polite & helpful. When asked they could not do enough for you. The view from the top of the hotel is superb & if you just want a lazy day then just sit up there & watch the cars & boats go by while taking the odd dip in the splash pool.
We never ate in the hotel so I cannot comment on the food, but for a cheap & cheary late breakfast the Flore De La Notre just to the left of the hotel was 1st rate.
The staff there were always friendly & the service superb. On our way home from sight seeing each day we stopped in for a wee PIT STOP. That involved 2 beers/wines & an assortment of Tapas & some friendly banter with Rod the waiter. That set us up for going out at 9pm for something to eat in the Gothic area.
TOP RATE HOTEL & Sorroundings.