Live prices for your dates · free cancellation on many rooms

Hotel · Barcelona · Catalonia

Chic & Basic Zoo

A no-frills, design-led stay in the heart of Barcelona's El Born, steps from the park and the old town.

  • Central location in El Born, next to Ciutadella Park
  • Free coffee, tea and bottled water throughout the day
  • Modern, clean rooms with balconies in some cases
8.1 Great 1497 reviews Booking.com 8.1 · 1497 reviews

About

Chic & Basic Zoo

Chic & Basic Zoo sits on Passeig Picasso, right on the edge of Ciutadella Park and a short walk from the Barcelona Zoo. The hotel keeps things simple: a stylish lobby with a coffee machine and fridge stocked with free water, and rooms that are clean, modern and compact. It's aimed at travellers who plan to spend their days out exploring rather than lounging in the hotel.

The 3-star property covers the essentials — air conditioning, heating, flat-screen TVs, safes, and a 24-hour reception with luggage storage. There's a restaurant on site and car hire if you want to venture further afield. The location is the main draw: El Born is packed with trendy bars, restaurants and shops, while the Gothic Quarter and Ramblas are within easy reach on foot.

  • No smoking on site
  • Wi-Fi
  • Safe deposit box
  • Concierge desk
  • No pets allowed
  • Security

In brief

What works, what to weigh

+

Strengths

4 reasons to book
  • Unbeatable location in El Born — Right next to Ciutadella Park and the zoo, with the old town and Ramblas within walking distance. Several guests called it the best part of their stay.
  • Free coffee, tea and water — The lobby has a coffee machine and a fridge with complimentary bottled water and milk, a detail guests repeatedly appreciated.
  • Friendly and helpful staff — Guests highlight the reception team's warmth and efficiency, including a late-night room change handled smoothly.
  • Clean, modern rooms — Rooms are described as fresh, nicely designed, and comfortable, with some featuring balconies.

Worth weighing

4 to weigh
  • Rooms are on the small side — Some guests noted that rooms are compact, fitting two people and two large suitcases at a push. If you plan to spend a lot of time in the room, this may not be ideal.
  • Some rooms face a wall — A few rooms have views directly onto a neighbouring wall rather than the street or park, so ask for a room with a balcony if that matters to you.
  • No pets allowed — The hotel does not accept pets, which may be a dealbreaker for those travelling with animals.
  • No on-site parking — There is no parking listed at the hotel, so guests arriving by car will need to find public parking nearby.

01 — Rooms

Rooms & rates

High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.

Standard Triple Room

  • Sleeping arrangements for 3 persons

Economy Double Room

  • 1 Double bed

Standard Room

  • 2 Single beds or 1 Double bed
  • Shower
  • Heating
  • Bathtub
  • Air conditioning

02 — Amenities

Services & amenities

Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.

General

  • Wi-Fi
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Lift
  • No smoking on site

Services

  • Concierge desk
  • Luggage storage
  • Room service
  • Housekeeping
  • Tours/Ticket assistance
  • Car hire
  • Paid shuttle service

In-room

  • Flat-screen TV
  • Safe deposit box
  • Shower
  • Bathtub
  • Patio

Food & Drink

  • Coffee shop
  • Restaurant (not listed but mentioned in description)

Safety

  • Security
  • Smoke detectors
  • Fire extinguishers

03 — Reviews

What guests say

Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.

8.1
Great 1497 reviews

Guest-rated 8.1/10 from 1,497 reviews

Booking.com · 8.1 · 1497 reviews
8.1Verified guest

“The team were friendly and supportive, and the location was spot on — surrounded by shops and cafes, with a lovely city view. Free coffee and tea all day was a nice bonus.”

8.1Verified guest

“Great value for money, excellent location, free luggage storage, and an amazing shower.”

8.1Verified guest

“The location was the winner for me — right next to the park, the shoreline, the Ramblas, and a great shopping district.”

8.1Verified guest

“The Wi-Fi was excellent and complimentary bottled water was a nice touch. Being right across from the zoo was very convenient.”

8.1Verified guest

“The staff were helpful and extremely nice. Rooms and bathrooms were clean, nicely designed and comfortable. The location was the biggest win — close to the park for a morning run or evening stroll, minutes from the main tourist attractions, and near the trendiest restaurants and clubs, yet in a quiet part of El Born. I'd definitely stay again.”

8.1Verified guest

“Really great value for money — a low price for good quality. Central location within walking distance of all the main sights, overlooking Ciutadella, plus a spa next door and great, friendly staff. I'd recommend it for a Barcelona trip.”

04 — Location

Getting around Barcelona

The property sits in Barcelona.

Ciutadella Park: The hotel faces the park, perfect for a morning jog or an evening stroll. The zoo is right across the road.

El Born: The surrounding neighbourhood is packed with trendy restaurants, bars and shops, yet the hotel itself sits on a quieter street.

Old Town & Ramblas: The Gothic Quarter and the Ramblas are a short walk away, as are the main tourist attractions of Barcelona's centre.

Passeig Picasso, 22, Barcelona, Catalonia, 8003, Spain

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05 — Good to know

Policies & conditions

Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.

Check-in
From 15:00-23:59
Check-out
By 07:00-12:00
Cancellation
Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
Payment
Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
Pets
Not allowed
Property
16 rooms

06 — Questions

Frequently asked

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:59, and check-out is from 07:00 to 12:00.

Is breakfast included?

The hotel does not list breakfast as a feature, but there is a coffee shop on site and free coffee, tea and bottled water available in the lobby.

Does the hotel have parking?

No on-site parking is listed. Guests arriving by car will need to find public parking in the area.

Are pets allowed?

No, pets are not allowed at the hotel.

Does the hotel offer airport transfer?

A paid shuttle service is available, and the hotel is about 20 km from Barcelona-El Prat airport. Car hire is also offered on site.

The bottom line

Chic & Basic Zoo is a smart choice for travellers who want a central, clean and friendly base in Barcelona without paying for resort-style extras. The location is genuinely hard to beat, and the free coffee and water are thoughtful touches. Just keep expectations in check on room size and views.

8.1Best for: couples and city-breakers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring.

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