hotel cram is a designer hotel that delivers on design but falls down on service and vfm. the location is good, near enough to the centre but far enough away to have good local tapas bars etc. suggest you find somewhere in the vicinity that places substance b4 style.

Ultra-modern yet very warm, with a lot of nice touches in the room. My standard double room had a very comfortable bed, large flat screen TV, large bath with overhead shower, and unique styling. Staff was excellent, well dressed, and spoke perfect English. Hotel has wireless internet and provides loaner laptops if you need one. Michelin rated restaurant (did not get to try). My room had excellent sound insulation. I was on a corner facing the street and was never disturbed.

The rooftop pool is a huge plus if you want to cool off at the end of the day (although it closed at 8pm). Not all hotels in the area offer this.

For location, it's just a short walk to trains and Las Ramblas. Casa Batllo is only a few blocks away and it's a bit further to La Pedrera and Sagrada Familia. I also considered the Axel which is just a few doors down, but this was much cheaper at the time and I definitely feel it was worth it.

We stayed in the hotel Cram for 4 nights in Feb - Thurs - Mon.

The hotel is housed within a period building, but inside is ultra modern. First impression was very very good, although in time we felt that the hotel in general (rooms and common areas) was a little dark. That said, all the decor was slick and fresh and felt fairly up-market.

The rooms well definately compact, but well designed, with ample storage space. We certainly didnt feel claustrophobic. One bonus was the media centre in each room which comprised a flat screen tv and wireless keyboard. Whilst most channels were spanish speaking, the free broadband internet on offer and free movies were welcome.

The bathrooms were well equipped, stylish and with modern fixings. Although neither of our rooms had a bath, which didnt bother us, but if youd like a bath be sure to ask for one.

The rooms were cleaned well and beds turned down again in the evening. We found staff to be very polite, friendly and helpful.

One disappointment was the lobby bar though, which was rarely staffed. The restaurant Gaig, is michelin-starred and we had a fantastic meal. At 75 Euros each it wasnt cheap but did feel very exclusive.

The hotel is well located, being 5mins walk from Passeig de Gracia and about 10mins from Placa de Catalunya. On the downside, the hotel is on the junction of 2 busy streets, although neither of us struggled with noise (if youre sensitive about noise ask for a room overlooking c/ Aribau as its the quieter of the two streets).

Ive posted photos of my room and the lobby, but to be honest, the hotel's own photos give a better idea of what its like in reality.

If we were coming back to Barcelona and staying somewhere in Eixample, we'd def consider coming back.

Positives:
1. Bargain at Euro 125 per night for a standard double.
2. Modern with plasma screen with a mac mini attached... but wait...

Negatives:
1. The nice plasma TV did not actually work - we asked the front desk to repair it but they did not even bother to send anyone to fix it, which takes me to this hotel's biggest flaw...
2. Service is non existent - when you approach the people working at the front desk for some advice or question - they act like they are doing you a HUGE favor......
3. FYI if you would like to go to they gym, they are affliated with "Holmes Place" gym nearby but you are expected to pay for it.
4. As per title of this review - double room is tiny, you even have to store your luggage under the bed.
5. Location a little secluded - although it's 10 - 15 mininutes walk to the shopping areas at the Passeig Gracia, some who may prefer to have everything on their doorstep may prefer to stay at Hotel Omm or other hotels in that vicinity.

We also stayed at The Grand Hotel Central in the Barri Gothic area (see review)

Restaurants:
Tried Cinq Sentis nearby - great food, especially the dessert and very reasonably priced. Atmosphere was a little sterile though.

Moo (at Hotel Omm) - not worth it, food that tried to be too inventive but for all that effort it was not tasty at all... kind of like the decor of the hotel resaturant and lobby ...