TLDR: Come for the rooftop views of Barcelona, not so much for the stay. While Barceló Raval's rooftop offers one of the best panoramic views of Barcelona, the hotel itself is giving knockoff of the W. They try to give off that sexy, mysterious vibe, but as soon as you step into the room, the green ceiling, cheap fixtures and damask wallpaper give it away. The hotel is reasonably "affordable" for its location (near the Gothic Quarter and La Barceloneta), but definitely in a sketchy area. I highly advise walking outside the hotel at night, as you'll find the rough crowds your parents warned you about. The nearest metro station is about a 10-minute walk, and to get there, you have to cut through some of the sketchiest alleys. I booked through Expedia and was upgraded to a room with a view, a bottle of mini wine & an extra bottle of water. My amenities weren't so great from the moment I opened the door. Since my room was pretty high up, the room was stifling & those views were blocked by a stainless steel mesh. FYI: your room requires a key card at all times if you're trying to use electricity, which includes air conditioning. The shower initially felt luxurious--spacious with a giant waterfall head and solid water pressure--followed by lush bath towels, but that impression faded once I noticed the pockets of mold and grime in the corners. Sleeping was also a challenge since walls are thin and anytime the guests next to me entered their room, it sounded like someone was entering mine, which kept me paranoid and on high alert. Rooftop: the rooftop not only offers panoramic views of Barcelona, but also has a bar and pool, though hard to even suggest the pool is an amenity since it's more so for aesthetic than functionality. On the roof, it's not an open floor plan, so you'll have to walk around the building to get a full 360 view. For those who are height deficient such as myself: prepare for obstructed views because of the high railings (great for safety, but not so much for those under 5'3). read more