Had a couple of last minute changes (break up) so ended up turning up alone. While this was stated when I checked in clearly this wasn't specified in the system as for whatever reason the night time desk clerk (Marco I believe) kept saying I had booked a room for one.. without giving me any chance to explain. Full details below but if you happen to be neurodivergent/on the spectrum AND a person of colour DO NOT STAY HERE unless you enjoy racist comments or condenscending comments about your intelligence (which he then justified with "Oh but I am italian" (lol?). Never in my life have I experienced anyone this confrontational in a service position as he seemed to take a massive issue with me. Even tried a damage control email suggesting I was being rude to him but I'm guessing he's hoping the video surveillance footage from the conversation that was had at reception will be scratched because the guy was erratic, rude, condescending and generally incredibly agitated despite my apologies or attempts to deescalate. Never gave any chance to explain the situation and when he eventually acknowledged that I had booked a room for two his excuse was "How was I supposed to know"... well if instead of being argumentative from the start you'd been cordial and looked for a solution rather than insulting my intelligence or threatening to call police (again, lol?) perhaps the solution would have been easier to reach.

Don't get me wrong, with the last minute change of plans the stay wasn't going to go as expected for me so I ended up letting to friends have the room for the night since they clearly were going to benefit from it more than me and well, I'd paid for it. As I came back after a night out to gather my stuff and leave them to it I'm informed it was too loud by the staff member who off the bat was being incredibly confrontational, so I decide to gather my things and head downstairs. The Italian night receptionist was combative from the start and despite my apoligies and efforts to deescalate categorically refused to listen to any explanation. Rather than say anything in a professional manner he threatened to call police (lol?) and went on to continuously berate me as though I had personally offended him for some reason, he was totally insensed. He shouted that the two guests (now sleeping) had to be signed in so while waiting for them to come downstairs decides to insult my intelligence based of race/nationality (again, this is a first) and justified it by saying it was "because he is italian"??? The worst is when my (white) guests arrive his demeanour switches up and he's suddenly polite and helpful to them..

To put it into context, i'd booked to stay with a girlfriend and ended up alone due to break up the previous day. Instead two of my friends hit it off and since the room was non refundable, I figured they may as well make the most of it. If he'd been able to communicate without immediately accusing me of having booked a room for one and lying about that (I'd booked a room for two with my gf..) or even tried to deescalate and presented the registration of guests in a polite way perhaps it could have been ok. As it stands I got far less threats, insults or bullying from any of the locals of Raval (supposedly shady neighbourhood) than I did from this guy.

A very nice hotel in not a very beautiful area. Not too far from Ramblas and close to metro stations to comfortably get around the city. The hotel staff was great - very friendly and super helpful. Good breakfast, clean and modern rooms. A very good price quality ratio.

This was one of the best hotel experiences my girlfriend and I have ever had! We were at Hotel Niu Barcelona for three weeks and took the time to get to know the staff and the area. Deborah, Alejandra, Jave, and Marco were really wonderful and hospitable. Our room was great, always clean, and the balcony gave us a homey view of the Rambla de Raval. We were also lucky enough to be there during the La Marcé festival! I can’t say enough good things about it! It’s unfortunate that people have left bad reviews. If you know Barcelona, you would know that it’s a late night city, dinner is usually around 20:00 or 21:00, not 17:00 . . . And the neighborhood was safe, we even got to know some of the local grocers and restauranteurs. The negative reviews are not warranted, stay at Hotel Niu and enjoy being a traveler in Barcelona, not a tourist.