Hesperia Sant Joan Suites

Just got back from staying at Sant Joan and felt impelled to write this review (the only reason we haven’t given it one star is because they let us check in early): - First of all it is no where near the centre of Barcelona, have to get tram (take T3 not T2 or journey even longer) for about 20 to 30 minutes and change onto the subway at Maria Christina for about another 10 stops to reach Catalyuna. The hotel is on the outskirts of Barcelona and from our room had a delightful view of a massive building site (I think its going to be hospital or something). When we arrived went up to our room hoping to have a nice refreshing shower and then maybe go for a swim in the hotel pool before getting a drink in the hotel bar etc, however this was not to be as there was no water in our "apartment". So I set off downstairs to make reception aware of the slight problem with our room. The response I got was along the lines of "so?", OK I said, well maybe we could be moved to another room? "no" was the reply "it was a problem with the area." OK, did she know how long it had been a problem, when it was likely to go back on as had a small child with us who needed the toilet and was also very thirsty? I again got the response "no". I was now becoming a bit worried because on checking in I had been told that the cafe/bar/restaurant was shutting shortly for the rest of the day and that there was no supermaket open or cafe nearby. So I asked if there was a possibilty of being moved to a different hotel if the water was to become a problem. I again got the response "no". Eventually I got out of reception there was a nearby garage open and it was possible to get water there and that they would give our room a ring when the water was back on. They didn't bother to ring, I traipsed to the garage for some water and although the water did later come on it was brown, which was nice. Our "apartment" was another bone of contention. The kitchen area was very small and in the main body of the room that my partner and I slept in, with an adjoining room with twin beds (rather than a double as booked). They could only manage to provide 2 pillows between the three of us, which meant my partner and I shared one. The air conditioning didn't work in the bedroom area, although it did in the main body of the "apartment". On the second day I asked about getting food to cook in our self catering "apartment". I was pointed in the direction (well this isnt strictly true as reception pointed me in the wrong direction but I found it eventually) of a supermarket which is just around the corner from the hotel in the housing estate complex. However when I tried to cook my purchases I discovered there were no pans, no plates, no cutlery, no glasses, mugs, kettle, in fact no catering items whatsoever. I recalled seeing in the hotel info provided that if you asked at reception they would provide you with anything needed at no extra charge( I had assumed, wrongly, that this would apply to unusual items). Down I duly trotted. Wrong again, all I got was a few "huhs?" and "nos" and that was it, despite pointing them to their own literature. They apparently had no idea that in order to use the microwave and hobs (no oven) it would be necessary to have some pans etc!! I couldn't help feeling that to a certain extent this might be an attempt to get us to purchase the hotel breakfast at 10 Euros each as they had told me there was no where else nearby to eat (other than the supermarket). However in the housing estate complex (turn right out of hotel and then first right again into the complex) there was a bakery with a very nice lady in it who was far more helpful and easier to communicate with despite my spanish being bad and her english non existent. She did a good line in coffees and croissants too although I think the bakery will be shut for the remainder of August as she was off on vacation. Again in the estate complex there is a traditional restaurant again with nice helpful staff (unlike at the hotel) and tables outside where you can order tapas (which was very good), al la carte or just have a few drinks soaking up the Spanish way of life. we also noticed another oriental stylee place opposite although we didn't try this, and there is a small playpark in the housing complex with swings etc which were quite handy. So there are other places to eat/drink nearby although the hotel neglect to tell you this, even when their own facilities are shut. There were several other problems but I don't think I should go on any longer. Overall, Im sure there must be much better hotels/apartments in Barcelona for the money paid!

Just had a fabulous time in Barcelona. Our favourite restaurants were; Illa de gracia-great for veggie food and SO cheap (just off passeig de gracia); mosquito;veronica (on place george orwell); and Beer and Coffee across from the tourist info on placa catalunya. We stayed at the hesperia st joan suites in st joan despi. We booked thru Expedia, who even though we called them up, would not give directions to the hotel or tell us where the nearest bus/tube stop was. In every other way though, expedia were brilliant and Monarch who we flew with were fantastic. For those of you staying at the above hotel. From the airport, get the aerobus (discount if you buy a Barcelona card which we found invaluable) to Placa catalunya. Then take the metro Line 3 (dirreccio Zona universitaria) to Maria Cristina. From there either get a tram on the T3 line (you cant use the Barcelona card on these) to ST marti L'erm and walk the short distance to the hotel, OR get a 78 bus (direction St joan despi) straight to the hotel. Hope this may be of help to some people-it would have been to us.

Booked a 'suite' here for a couple of nights before flying back from Barcelona. Had two double rooms and a sofa bed in the lounge area so it made a cheap way of staying in Barcelona as a family group. The hotel is pretty nondescript - clean enough but not really anywhere you'd want to hang around in for long. The hotel provided cooking equipment but it was very basic and not particularly clean! The main problem is its location. 10 minute walk to the tram stop then about a 30 minute journey by tram and underground into the centre. Good if you're on a budget but if you're only staying a few days I'd get something more central.

This hotel is located quite a way outside of the city. It is a large red brick building that is part of a large housing complex and has zero character. The daily tram then subway ride to town is monotonous after 3 days, it takes about 45 minutes all told. If you are looking to step outside your hotel and enjoy a cafe or stroll through the streets, stay in town, this has none of that and the view across the street is an over grown vacant lot waiting for the hospital to be built on it. The cafe is ok, the staff speak no English which made even simple orders a bit tough. The front desk staff service was what you might expect given the number of school kid tours that roared through the place daily! Also note, there are various fees to use the facilities not mentioned on the website, such as 5 Euro to use the jaccuzzi for 30 minutes etc. Expedia has the market on this place and really pushes it, so know what you want your experience to be prior to booking your room. I would not consider returning to this hotel.

Modern hotel on hilltop in suburb; 30 min by subway & tram to get into city. Clean and very quiet: didn't realize till breakfast that family with 3 kids was next door, plus 34 teens on tour. Breakfast was sumptuous, with grilled vegetables plus eggs, meats, cereal, etc. Bath linens were large and thick; plenty of hot water; beds clean and comfortable. Frig froze icepack. Staff helpful.

This was avery nice hotel, clean with friendly staff. The location is an issue as it is approx 20 euros in and out of Las Ramblas in a taxi. There are also few restaurants around it. However, even including the taxi fares, it was a cost effective trip.

Firstly the Internet advertising of this Hotel is that it is 'ONLY' 10 minutes from the City - RUBBISH - it is about 50 minutes which unimpressed me as we took both our children. There was no air-conditioning or even an option for cool air only warm air. They did not have my booking even though I had a confirmation email and had paid the deposit. Very unimpressed with this Hotel especially at a cost of 91 Euro's per night. Staff were ok although as we drove around Spain the other Hotels seemed to be friendlier!!!!

My friend and I stayed at the Hesperia Sant Joan Hotel in January 2005. Our room was clean and comfortable and we really liked having kitchen facilities available for a very reasonable price. The hotel staff were very friendly and helpful. Although it takes about 30 minutes to reach the center of Barcelona using public transportation, there were at least 3 alternatives available to us from early in the morning until late at night and transporting our luggage by bus was very easy. We would be happy to recommend this hotel to our friends or to stay there again if we return to Barcelona.

In my opinion, the major disadvantage of this hotel is its location. You will need to take a 30 minute tram journey just to reach the edge of the metro system and then a further 20 minutes to reach the city centre. This is fine if you are just spending the day in Barcelona, however I can imagine that it would be intimidating travelling late at night. On the plus side the tram is cheap, frequent and stops very close to the hotel. The major factor behind choosing this hotel was that the rooms are self-catered and you could therefore save money by eating in occasionaly. These cooking facilites are not the best. You will also have to order any cutlery and cooking utensils from the reception. There is a hotel restaurant but the menu is very limited although the food I did have was nice. Outside the hotel there doesn't appear to be anywhere else to go and eat. I didn't use the hotel gym but it looked nice and spacious. Note that you have to pay extra for using the jacuzzi and sauna! The hotel staff were all very friendly and helpful. For anybody visiting Barcelona, I would certainly recommend staying somewhere a lot closer to the city centre.

Very nice hotel... we were there with my girlfriend in August 2003 and we like it very much. The hotel stuff were very friendly and helpful. there was also a nice swimming pool where you can relax before to go to the Ramblas and city centre... We recommend that hotel for all.. only negative thing was the a bit long journey to the city centre but we do not think that it was problem. Go there sure again!