Leonardo Royal Barcelona Forum Hotel in Barcelona

There is an expecation when arriving at a hotel late in the evening, in exchange for the modest sum of 200€ per night. I had imagined that serenity would take the form of a warm shower.

To my amazement, however, I found the bottles for shampoo and conditioner in my room displaying a kind of philosophical emptiness, an existential void so profound that I briefly admired the hotel’s commitment to minimalism. Unfortunately, admiration subsided the moment I inquired at reception and learned that this void was to remain unfilled until 10:00 the next morning.

It seems the hotel holds a belief that cleanliness, like wisdom, should not be rushed. While I can appreciate the artistic nature of this stance, standing in front of a dry shower at 23:00, still carrying the entire day on my skin.

I sincerely hope future guests arrive earlier in the day, or perhaps bring their own toiletries, lest they too find themselves contemplating the metaphysics of an unfulfilled shower. My stay was certainly memorable, though not in the way memory usually prefers. Not counting the guests running through hallways, kids shouting, and wall bangs all night long.

Although the hotel is very well located, the rooms are very well appointed and the service was amazing, I have to send a bad review since they charged me twice for the same stay. The front office was very rude about it, refusing to understand that the payment was already wired to them. I had to settle the matter fast since, otherwise, I would miss my plane. They also charged me twice for the local tax. After that, they have been delaying the matter for more than two months. I was expecting a more professional treatment.