Review Paral.lel Hotel Barcelona
Page Content
 |
With only the basic amenities, the hotel's selling point is its location. Situated at the foot of Montjuïc mountain and at the back of El Raval area, it is close to both picturesque views of the gardens of Montjuïc and the bustling city. The hotel is walking distance from some of the city's most well known attractions, including the Ramblas and Plaza de España.
For those wishing for a beach holiday, budget hotels closer to the Barceloneta area may be a better option. However, the beach and port are still only a ten minute bus ride away.
Hotel Facilities
Paral.lel Hotel aims to offer affordable rooms and in doing so, has only the basic amenities on offer. The hotel does not offer room service, a pool or a fitness centre.
However, it does provide a continental buffet breakfast, which is not included in the room price. It also offers a television room and an internet area, as well as Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. Currency exchange is also available at reception, as is laundry service.
Pets are allowed with extra charge.
Effortless Luggage Transfer in Barcelona
Efficiently transfer your luggage between your hotel and key locations like the airport, train station, or cruise port with a reliable and secure baggage management service. Learn more about this convenient service and enhance your Barcelona experience without the hassle of moving your luggage around.
Business Facilities
The hotel is standard and has no real business facilities. However, it does provide an area where internet access is available.
Facilities for People with a disability
The hotel has wheelchair access throughout. There are lifts to all floors.
There are two rooms that have been adapted for wheelchair users, with widened doors and lowered baths.
Rooms
The hotel contains 66 rooms. Each room offers the standard amenities including a telephone, Wi-Fi, television and air conditioning.
Paral.lel is a rather busy main road in the city centre. There is, therefore, a risk, that the rooms will be noisy at night. If this is of concern, it is worth booking a room on one of the higher floors, as this will be further from the noise of the street.
Hotel Location and Facilities
Paral.lel Hotel is located on one of Barcelona's busiest streets at the back of the El Raval area, in Poble Sec. The street is not a particularly picturesque one, compared to others with older buildings or more shops and cafes; however, it is well located and does have its own Spanish charm. The street will also provide most practical amenities that you may need - a local supermarket, newsagents and pharmacies.
There are a few invaluable dining opportunities in close vicinity to the hotel. On the same street, Poeta de Cabanyes, at number 25, is the legendary tapas bar, Quimet y Quimet. This is a small, old-school Spanish bar with standing-room only. The high walls are covered with rows and rows of old wine bottles, jars and cans. It is well-known for good cheese, as well as tapas made with tinned seafood- considered a delicacy in Spain. Ask hotel staff about opening times, as the hours are typically awkward- many traditional bars and restaurants in Barcelona are only open for specific hours.
One street down, at 53 Calle Tapioles, is an interesting concept restaurant, Tapioles53. It has been designed with intimacy, to feel as though you are seated in the chef's own dining room and the menu changes daily depending on what treats are available at the local Boqueria food market. Booking is essential, as the small restaurant caters for exactly how many customers it will be serving. It also gets busy at the weekend.
It is a ten minute walk from the hotel, straight up Paral.lel, to Plaza de España. This is an large square, where the Palau Nacional can be viewed. The Palace is definitely worth a visit, particularly on evenings when the Magic Fountain show takes place. The fountains that sit in front of the palace are choreographed into a show with music and coloured lights running through the water. The shows take place at half-hour intervals.
The shows are totally free. If you're looking for a classically spine-tingling experience, this may be the one for you.
The Plaza de España is also home to the Fira de Barcelona - an enormous conference and function centre, where many major events take place. If you are making a trip over to Barcelona for events such as the Bread and Butter conference for streetwear clothing design or the Harley Davidson conference, Paral.lel Hotel is particularly well located.
If you are looking to sample the Barcelona nightlife, you will find yourself in the right area. The hotel is situated at the back of El Raval, a barrio known to be popular amongst young locals for its stylish bars and clubs. You are also a five minute walk from one of Barcelona's largest and most successful clubs - Apolo.
Audio guide to Barcelona's main attractions with transport pass included
The BCN Essentials Pass is like having your own personal guide to Barcelona, with the added bonus of unlimited travel on the city's public transport, including metro, tram, and RENFE airport train. This all-in-one pass grants you admission to top attractions like Sagrada Familia and Park Guell, and comes with an audio guide and interactive maps to enrich your experience. Delivered straight to your email after ordering, it enables you to explore Barcelona at your own pace.
How to travel from the airport to the hotel
Booking your airport transport in advance onlineWith a private transfer service the driver will be waiting for you at the designated meeting point given to you on the booking voucher. The driver will help you with your bags to the vehicle and then drive you to your hotel. Private transfers are independent of the the public transport system. This means if there is a public transport strike these services will continue to operate.
Public transport transfer options
Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 25 minutes.
Taxi Fare: €30.00 - €40.00
Via Train: The RENFE train leaves the airport every half an hour and will take you to Barcelona Sants (Estació de Sants), in about 25 minutes. Then change at Sants for the Green line 
Metro and travel 4 stops and get off at Paral.lel. The hotel is a few minutes walk from the metro stop.
RENFE Train Ticket Prices
Single ticket: €4.60
Via Bus: Take the 'Aerobus' to Plaça de Catalunya from directly outside the airport. The Aerobus generally runs every 10 - 15 minutes and the journey time is 30 minutes. The hotel is 20 minutes walking distance from Plaça de Catalunya. A taxi would take about 10 minutes. Alternatively you can take the metro from Catalunya to Poble Sec on the green line metro.
Car parks near Paral.lel Hotel Barcelona
| Car Park Name | Address | Approximate Walking Distance to Car Park in Meters |
|---|---|---|
| NN Borrell | Comte Borrell, 26-28 | 350 m |
| PROMOPARC Vilà i Vilà | Vila i Vila, 50 | 400 m |
| SABA BAMSA Paral.lel | Carrer de l'Abat Safont, 2 | 450 m |
| BSM Plaça Navas | Carrer de Jaume Fabra, 12 | 600 m |
In a nutshell
Paral.lel Hotel Barcelona offers a simple concept - a basic hotel with welcoming staff and reliable standards at a price that competes with hostels and economy apartments. Its location is impressive if not picturesque.
Parallel Hotel
Carrer Poeta Cabanyes, 5 -7
08004 Barcelona, España.
HB-003901
Metro: Poble Sec (Green Line, L3)