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HotelShortlist rating
4/5

On the HotelShortlist, with a caveat: Guests report hidden fees.

Barcelona

Olivia Plaza Hotel

★★★★
9.3
Booking score
4.6
Google rating
2,122
Total reviews
★★★★
Star rating
≈2008
Built / renovated
10+
Highest floor guests reported
2%
Noise mentions
Engine scores ·Newness ≈2008 ·Location 4.6
Member rate
€—,———
Booking.com shows the public rate for the same room and dates
Members see this rate in full. It is typically lower than the public price on this property — the same room, the same hotel, the same confirmation.
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Verdict

Is Olivia Plaza Hotel Worth It? The Honest Verdict

9.3/10 Booking.com4.6/5 Google500 reviews read4-star

As of 5 October 2026, 500 guest reviews give Olivia Plaza Hotel 9.3/10 on Booking.com and 4.6/5 on Google.

Most-repeated praise: Outstanding, genuinely warm and attentive staff across all departments who consistently go above and beyond—remembering guests' names, providing detailed restaurant recommendations, helping with transportation, and treating guests like VIPs rather than transactions 127 reviews.

Complaints

Noise and Room Complaints at Olivia Plaza Hotel: Which Rooms to Avoid

  • Extremely poor WiFi connectivity that is unreliable, slow, sometimes unsecured, and staff repeatedly give false promises about fixes with zero accountability or follow-through over multiple days 4 reviews
  • Bathroom design fundamentally flawed with no door between toilet and shower (only sliding glass with handle on outside only), causing lack of privacy, difficulty closing from inside, and shower water leaking onto floor and toilet area 12 reviews
  • Rooms are small and cramped with limited storage, no cupboards or wardrobes, structural support beams blocking bed access or requiring squeezing between beam and sink, blocking window views 13 reviews
Rooms to avoid
  • Rooms on 2nd-4th floors near breakfast area report hearing buffet noise early morning
  • Rooms near elevator reported to hear elevator movement and hallway music
  • Ground/lower floors may experience more street noise from Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla
What guests praise

Olivia Plaza Hotel Reviews — What Guests Actually Say vs the Marketing

Olivia Plaza Hotel sells itself as a 4-star hotel. What guests repeat most:

  • Outstanding, genuinely warm and attentive staff across all departments who consistently go above and beyond—remembering guests' names, providing detailed restaurant recommendations, helping with transportation, and treating guests like VIPs rather than transactions 127 reviews
  • Perfect central location on Plaça de Catalunya within walking distance of all major attractions, museums, shopping, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and multiple public transport options (metro, bus, airport bus, taxis) 118 reviews
  • Complimentary welcome drinks (champagne, prosecco, or cava) upon arrival combined with room upgrades, fresh fruit platters, macarons, and personalized touches for special occasions create genuine luxury feel 62 reviews
Room requests

Which Room Should You Ask For at Olivia Plaza Hotel?

Ask for
  • Fifth floor rooms with plaza view reported as quiet despite central location
  • Fourth floor rooms reported better WiFi and quieter than higher floors
  • Rooms 709 and 910 specifically praised for views and quiet
Method

How HotelShortlist Researched Olivia Plaza Hotel

We read 500 public guest reviews of Olivia Plaza Hotel, grouped repeated findings and counted how often each one appears. Pest figures are guest reports, not inspection results. Member-only detail is blurred on this page. Research updated 2026-10-05. If you represent Olivia Plaza Hotel and believe something here is wrong, write to members@hotelshortlist.com and we will review it.

What guests love

Outstanding, genuinely warm and attentive staff across all departments who consistently go above and beyond—remembering guests' names, providing detailed restaurant recommendations, helping with transportation, and treating guests like VIPs rather than transactions (127×)
Perfect central location on Plaça de Catalunya within walking distance of all major attractions, museums, shopping, La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and multiple public transport options (metro, bus, airport bus, taxis) (118×)
Complimentary welcome drinks (champagne, prosecco, or cava) upon arrival combined with room upgrades, fresh fruit platters, macarons, and personalized touches for special occasions create genuine luxury feel (62×)
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5 more positive findings visible to members.

Watch-outs · 8 recorded

Extremely poor WiFi connectivity that is unreliable, slow, sometimes unsecured, and staff repeatedly give false promises about fixes with zero accountability or follow-through over multiple days (4×)
Bathroom design fundamentally flawed with no door between toilet and shower (only sliding glass with handle on outside only), causing lack of privacy, difficulty closing from inside, and shower water leaking onto floor and toilet area (12×)
Rooms are small and cramped with limited storage, no cupboards or wardrobes, structural support beams blocking bed access or requiring squeezing between beam and sink, blocking window views (13×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see thi (8×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see (8×)
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Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this fin (4×)
Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in full Members see (6×)
5 more watch-outs are visible to members.
Parking note. Comfortable — Underground parking located directly under or across from hotel with easy access and complimentary service for many guests.

What guests report

View
Plaça de Catalunya-facing rooms offer stunning plaza and fountain views; some higher floors see Gothic Quarter and sea; interior-facing rooms have no natural light
Bed & mattress
Beds range from comfortable and spacious to hard as rock; guests note bed firmness varies by room; quality mattresses in suites
Bathroom & water
Excellent water pressure and temperature; flawed design with toilet and shower sharing only sliding glass door; mold occasionally noted on seals
Wi-Fi
Slow, unreliable, occasionally unsecured with security warnings; frequently cuts out despite staff promises to fix
Breakfast
High-quality buffet worth €19-22 per person; fresh pastries, fruits, cheeses, cold cuts, waffles, crepes, fresh OJ, made-to-order eggs; small service area becomes crowded; items run out mid-morning
AC / heating
Excellent and strong; Spanish hotels conserve air/heating more than US standards but still effective
Elevator
Available

Local knowledge

Request a room facing Plaça Catalunya for stunning views and fountains at night; interior-facing rooms have no natural light
Breakfast is not included but worth the €19-22 per person; order egg dishes from the menu at no extra charge (not always clearly explained)
Gym facilities are 10-15 minute walk away, not on-site; it's a proper facility with classes, not a small hotel gym
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Room intel

Quiet rooms / wings
  • Fifth floor rooms with plaza view reported as quiet despite central location
  • Fourth floor rooms reported better WiFi and quieter than higher floors
  • Rooms 709 and 910 specifically praised for views and quiet
Noisy rooms to avoid
  • Rooms on 2nd-4th floors near breakfast area report hearing buffet noise early morning
  • Rooms near elevator reported to hear elevator movement and hallway music
  • Ground/lower floors may experience more street noise from Plaza Catalunya and La Rambla
Extra charges guests were surprised by
  • Members see this finding in full Members see this finding in fu
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Character & facilities

Design & character 2% of reviews mention design
  • Glass-floored breakfast terrace with views of courtyard below
  • Modern boutique design with stylish contemporary interiors and colorful decor
  • Thoughtfully converted from historic office building with architectural character
Gym & fitness Decent
  • Located 10-15 minute walk from hotel, not on-site
  • Proper full-service facility with weights, machines, cardio equipment, and fitness classes
  • Quality comparable to €20/day commercial gym pass; guests praise it as excellent for dedicated fitness
Family facilities
  • Family rooms and suite accommodations for groups with children
  • Central location allows parents to return to hotel anytime for naps during day trips
  • Safe, gated entrance with security buzzer after 11pm
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Questions about Olivia Plaza Hotel

How is Olivia Plaza Hotel rated?
Olivia Plaza Hotel scores 9.3/10 on Booking.com and 4.6/5 on Google.
How many guest reviews were analysed for Olivia Plaza Hotel?
HotelShortlist analysed 500 guest reviews for Olivia Plaza Hotel to build this verified profile.
Is Olivia Plaza Hotel a 4-star hotel?
Yes — Olivia Plaza Hotel is a 4-star property in Barcelona.
What do guests love about Olivia Plaza Hotel?
The most-mentioned positive in guest reviews: Outstanding, genuinely warm and attentive staff across all departments who consistently go above and beyond—remembering guests' names, providing detailed restaurant recommendations, helping with transportation, and treating guests like VIPs rather than transactions
How do I get the member rate?
HotelShortlist is a private members’ club. Ask for an introduction and, once admitted, member rates are unlocked on every verified hotel.

How Olivia Plaza Hotel Compares to Other Barcelona Hotels

Olivia Plaza Hotel: Booking.com 9.3/10, 4-star. Other researched hotels in Barcelona:

See all verified hotels in Barcelona →

Review data verified & refreshed 2026-10-05.