“Having a G'day in Barcelona”
I'll reiterate what many reviewers have said before me: the best part of Hostal Residencia Australia is its owner Thomas Lorenzo. As soon as you check in, Thomas makes you feel right at home and will provide you with a quick lesson on Barcelona. It being my first time in Europe, I was a little worried that I would waste a lot of time finding my bearings but Thomas's quick guide solved all that. Everything he told me was valuable information, from the way the Metro works to where to find the best bocadillos in he area. To all of us English speakers whose Spanish is limited to "Hablo un poco," Thomas is a godsend. With all of his advice, I was ready to conquer Barcelona as soon as I stepped out of the hostal.
Now, I noticed that there are just as many who complain about the humble amenities. Hello. You're not checking in at The Ritz, people. That should be the first thing that you get into your head upon arriving. If you're shocked that there isn't a Sleep Number Bed waiting for you in your room, then you don't know what staying in a hostal is all about. You think anything other than a brand new plush bath towel is "like sandpaper on your skin?" Bring your own! I did, and it made a world of difference.
The fact is, Thomas's place is safe, clean, affordable, and has great location. You're only a couple of blocks away from Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas and a few steps from the Metro. I couldn't have chosen a better place for my all-too-short stay in Barcelona.