NYT Finds Plenty To Like (But Not Enough Towels) At Barcelona�s Hotel Denit

December 21, 2009 at 3:46 PM | by EricRosen | Comments (0)

It�s not every day that you find an affordable hotel right in the center of one of Europe�s most popular destinations. That�s why The New York Times decided to check in and check out Barcelona�s new Hotel Denit.

The hotel, whose name means �at night� in Catalan, is located right in the city�s historical heart, the Gothic Quarter, mere steps from La Rambla and Pla�a Catalunya, as well as the city�s Contemporary Art Museum. Not to worry about the noise level from the surrounding bars and clubs, though, because the hotel is set off down a quiet brick alley, ensuring both peace and privacy.

As for the rooms, �chic� these days seems to be a code word for �white on white,� and the Hotel Denit is no exception. The Times called it �spar and functional, not unlike a massage therapy room,� but notes touches like a flat-screen TV, an iPod docking station, and windows that actually open. The rest of the furniture looks Spartan to us, though, especially the mismatched lamps, the tiny desk with a canvas chair, and the open wardrobe-closet-armoire thingy.

Now for the odd part (or maybe it�s just European, we�re not sure): though the toilet and large shower are in a separate bathroom (don�t expect fancy towels or soap, we�re told), the sink is actually in the main room itself. We don�t really know what to make of that except to say that, at least you can brush your teeth while watching TV.

Each room also comes with 30 minutes of free internet every 24 hours, though the way to access it sounds pretty Byzantine to us, involving registering on a public computer, getting a text message, and entering a code. Just take your PDA with you, it sounds easier.

The other bargain feature is the 6 euro buffet breakfast, which is a downright steal by European prices. You can even get it included in your room rate depending on how you book it, and best of all, it runs from 7:30-11:00am, so you don�t have to roll out of bed too early after a night out on the town.

Rack rates at the hotel are listed between 189-229 euros ($275-330), but the reviewer was able to book a room for just 139.25 euros ($200) through a deal on the hotel�s web site.

Though the NYT found the �Jetsons chic� minimalist d�cor (and the dearth of linens provided) a little stark, as they rightly point out: you�re in Barcelona, a �high-design, out-until-dawn city,� so how much time are you going to be spending in the room anyway?

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