Modern budget-design hotel in the El Born neighbourhood with well-designed rooms, rooftop bar, and excellent location for Gothic Quarter and Barceloneta beach. Part of the German budget-design chain known for high quality at competitive prices.
Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella is part of the German budget-design hotel chain and is located on Carrer de la Princesa in El Born, one of Barcelona's most active neighbourhood districts. Parc de la Ciutadella — the city's largest urban park, which houses a boating lake, the Barcelona Zoo, and a large ornamental waterfall — is a three-minute walk north. The Picasso Museum is a seven-minute walk west along Carrer de la Princesa itself; the seafront at Barceloneta is reachable in approximately 20 minutes on foot or four minutes on the L4 metro from Barceloneta station. Jaume I metro station, also on the L4, is six minutes on foot and connects directly to the Gothic Quarter.
The building and interiors follow the Motel One formula: a bold, colour-confident design scheme with curated artwork, designer furniture, and quality bed linens at a price point associated with budget hotel categories. Ground-floor public areas — particularly the bar and lounge — are considerably more spacious and atmospheric than the average budget hotel, and function as a genuine gathering space rather than simply a check-in lobby.
Room categories cover Single, Double, and Triple configurations. All feature high-quality blackout curtains, smart TVs, air conditioning, well-fitted shower rooms, and fast WiFi. Rooms are compact but efficiently planned, with adequate wardrobe and desk space. The signature feature is the rooftop bar, which provides open views over El Born's rooftops toward the Barceloneta coastline and operates in the evenings. Breakfast is a paid buffet served in the mornings.
Service follows the efficient, partially self-directed model of the chain, with 24-hour reception and digital check-in options. The location is particularly strong for visitors focused on El Born, the Gothic Quarter, and the waterfront, and the price represents good value for a centrally positioned Barcelona address.
| Price | $$ |
|---|---|
| Address | Carrer de la Princesa, 30-32, 08003 Barcelona |
Room types
- Single
- Double
- Triple
Amenities
- rooftop bar
- wifi
- 24h reception
- bar
Weather through the year in Spain
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Spain.
Location
Carrer de la Princesa, 30-32, 08003 Barcelona
41.3858, 2.1811 View on map
Highlights
- Rooftop bar with evening views over El Born toward the Barceloneta waterfront
- Design-led interiors significantly above average for the budget category
- Three-minute walk from Parc de la Ciutadella and under ten minutes from the Gothic Quarter
- Rooms with quality blackout curtains, air conditioning, and reliable WiFi throughout
- Consistent Motel One chain standards with 24-hour reception and digital check-in
Tips for visiting
- The rooftop bar fills quickly after 20:00 in summer; arrive before dinner to secure a seat with views
- Barceloneta beach is walkable in 20 minutes or reachable in four minutes on the L4 metro from Barceloneta station
- The Picasso Museum offers free admission on the first Sunday of each month; queues form early, so arrive at opening time
- Public bike hire (Bicing) and scooter-share docks are within a two-minute walk for efficient travel beyond the walking radius
Accessibility
As a purpose-built modern hotel, Motel One Barcelona-Ciutadella offers step-free access from the street, lifts serving all floors, and dedicated wheelchair-accessible rooms with adapted bathrooms available on request.