As a resident of Barcelona, I'm not a particular fan of Las Ramblas, so many people, so many street performers, so much activity - but I know for a fact my uncle who is not from Barcelona and who is not a great traveller, he comes to the city at least once a year just to sit and watch all that happens on this street, which rightly deserves its title of one-of-the-worlds-most-famous=streets.
So, if you insist on staying on this street, the hotel recommendation is easy to give, it has to be the unlikely named "Hotel 1898", there's really no competition here.
Hotel 1898 is located in the former building of the Philippines Tobacco Company. All the interior decoration follows a colonial style, you can see this from the moment you step inside, yet it has all the modern luxuries.
This is a new hotel, so it's not yet discovered by the majority of agencies or hotel recommendation websites and guide books.
The thing we like most about Hotel 1898? It's the terrace - it's to die for! The 360 degree view is by far the finest view of Barcelona we've ever seen, and we've seen thousands!
Guests can enjoy an outdoor swimming pool and solarium at the same time as viewing the city from their perch. Other facilities include fitness center, spa and interior swimming pool.
Staff are formally attired, guests are often American in origin, there's a luggage attendant at the door to assist visitors arriving to the hotel.
Nearby, for eating, we recommend
La Crema Canela,
Pla dels Àngels and
Matamala.
