The only good thing about the hotel is its location.
Now being part of Marriott, you would expect a bit more quality but this is not the case. Rooms are OK but the AC is extremely noisy. The windows are not well sealed and you can hear people yelling outside all night (not a nice neighborhood).
The breakfast is extremely poor and at the room rate was close to the 400€/night which is ridiculous for the services received. Not recommended.
My stay at the AC Sants Hotel by Marriott in Barcelona offered a unique blend of modern amenities and unconventional design. The hotel's proximity to the Estacio Sants train and bus depot was a standout feature, providing unparalleled access to numerous lines and connections across Barcelona. This made exploring the city a breeze, especially with the efficient and user-friendly public transport system that is a notch above Paris' in terms of ease of use.
The hotel itself boasts a contemporary aesthetic that extends to the room layouts, which are far from typical. The most striking aspect is the bathroom design: the sink is centrally located in the room, flanked by a toilet with a door on one side and a shower with a sliding door on the other. However, this layout comes with a significant downside – the lack of privacy, particularly for changing or dressing after a shower. The absence of a bathroom door and the lack of even a privacy curtain can be inconvenient, especially for those traveling with family or friends as opposed to solo or with a significant other.
As for the surrounding area, the hotel is conveniently situated amidst a variety of restaurants and local shops. It's worth noting that to reach the main tourist attractions and shopping districts, a train ride is necessary. For travelers planning a visit during the Easter period, it's important to remember that Good Friday and Easter Sunday are widely observed, resulting in many shops being closed.
In conclusion, the AC Sants Hotel by Marriott is a great option for those seeking a modern and conveniently located base in Barcelona. While the unique room design may not be to everyone's taste, especially in terms of privacy, the hotel's proximity to public transport and local amenities more than compensates. It's a fitting choice for travelers eager to explore Barcelona's vibrant city life.
-very short distance from the main train station you can see the hotel when you exit the station
-good breakfast with even quite some gluten-free options
The room itself is nice and clean but the lighting switches could be improved, the toilet light switch was in the hallway, so we had to keep the light on
Obviously a wise choice if you need to be near the train station but it is quite far from the main tourist sites i.e., La Rambla central boulevard is a good 40-minute walk but tedious if you are pressed for time. Sagrada Familia is even further. Subways and buses are accessible in the nearby neighborhood along the main Carrer de Sants which is a lively street filled with shops and cafes and even a mercado (Mercado de Hostafrancs). The room is clean but the bath and toilet are in closets and the sink is part of the bedroom so having no actual bathroom was unexpected. Also, I was disappointed that as a Marriott Platinum Elite member they did not offer me a free breakfast option. The reception staff tried to appease me and they were nice about explaining their policy.
Dear New YorkWorldExplorer,
Thank you for taking the time to let us know about your experience while staying with us.
Our greatest strength is the location. We are very well connected with the city center, is just 10 minutes by metro or train to Plaza Catalunya and Sagrada Familia. The main train and metro station are just 2 minutes walking from the hotel. Furthermore, being well connected to the city center, train can also be taken to other tourist attractions such as Sitges, Girona, or the high-speed train to Madrid.
Unfortunately, in the AC brand breakfast is not free for elite members. But, using the welcome gift voucher you can have breakfast with a very reduced price for you and your accompanying.
We hope you choose to stay with us again when your travels bring you back to the area.
Sincerely,
Mónica Rodríguez.
Front desk Manager.
The room was really basic. Therefore, for those who wanna book the hotel because of it is "by Marriott", you maybe disappointed... As a member of Marriott hotel group, this one was the most disppointed one so far.
- The washroom was dark. Especially the shower part, it was terribly dark. Wanna feel shower in the dark? Try this hotel.
- Room was noisy... coz of all the flusing noise (not from my room) from pipes or other rooms or other floor or whatsoever... it was indeed pretty creepy esp for a solo traveller!
- I was not expected fancy coffee machine in the room... but I couldnt even find a kettle... For those who would like to enjoy a cup of hot tea / coffee, make sure you get one before you back to hotel.
- Terrible TV channel choices. Looks like the hotel is for local only! I couldnt even find an English channel.
- They urge guest to check out. It was 1207pm... while I was about to leave, they rang to my room, "it's time to check out"... I know it was 7 mins late... but what a nice experience~ Plus I expected I was eligible to have late check-out as a gold-tier member...
Was about to give one star only... the breakfast and restaurant at G/F was pretty nice that earned one more star!
I shall visit BCN again, but not this hotel...
Dear sir,
Our first goal is offering a great experience.
Receiving warm and friendly service from our staff sets the tone for a great stay. This was not your experience, and I sincerely apologize for failing to meet your expectations.
I have shared your feedback with the associates.
I hope you choose to stay with us again, whenever your travels bring you back to the area.
