Firstly, their website is misleading - it gives the impression that the hostel is a beautiful clean modern building. It is not. Gat Raval is located on the second floor of a dingy apartment block with an awful looking entrance.

Our room was booked months in advance but when we got there they didn't have a room of the right type for us! They offered us unsuitable alternatives so we found much better accomodation nearby for only a little more money.

Try the Acta hotel a couple of doors away - they put us in touch with the Acta Splendid (highly recommended) which is a couple of streets away. If they have free rooms in the late afternoon they may cut you a deal on the price.

...as you are close to La Rambla and nice bars. Other than that GatRaval is average at most. The rooms are smallish, which is ok. The communal bathrooms wer quite dirty, which I found less ok. Quite disturbing are the paper-thin walls. Every (I mean EVERY) noise from the next rooms can be heard.
All in all it was ok for my two nights stay in Barcelona, but next time I would stay elsewhere.

First things first, it is important to remember this is a *hostel* not a hotel. I think a lot of the criticism here is based on unrealistic and unfair expectations. If you are looking for a hotel, you might be a bit disappointed. I was satisfied for the 40 euros a night I paid for a double bed room. If you want the Hilton, then you are going to have to pay for it. If you are looking for an upscale hostel, you should be happy. The location of the Gat is fantastic. It is less than 5 minutes from the Universidad metro station. The airport bus also stops at Universidad, so it is very easy to get to from the airport. Gat is in the historical part of Barcelona and a short pleasant walk from Barri Gothic and Eixample. There are plenty of great bars and restaurants on the street, and close by. There is a nice coffee shop/bar literally across the street (if you are American, there is also a Starbucks 4 minutes away). The street may appear sketchy to some, but there are always many people out so I never felt unsafe. There is always a doorman at the entrance of the Gat as well. I had a room with a double bed and a shower. The room was good. There are nice high ceilings and a big window (and thick curtains which helps in the morning) with a view on the street. Beds and thread count of sheets were good. The common bathrooms were always clean. There are some nice design touches to the rooms. Well above what I am used to in other hostels. My only major criticism is noise. The street outside is lively, and therefore fairly loud until late into the evening. If you want to avoid this, ask for a room facing the courtyard. The walls between certain rooms are really thin, which can impede your privacy and/or quiet. You can really hear it when your neighbor opens or closes the door and when there are people talking or watching television and when people talk when walking through the hallways. I stayed in the low season so I can only imagine how it must get in the summer. If you are a light sleeper or someone who goes to bed early, this will be an issue. Other than that the staff are really friendly and helpful. The stay includes a breakfast, which is appreciated but minimal (prepackaged muffins, orange juice, and Nescafe). So overall, I was quite satisfied with my stay but I don't know how this place compares to other places in the same price range. I hear the other Gat a few blocks away is nicer and quieter (but also more expensive).

I stayed in this hostal at late notice, and feel like I was ripped-off. It is a central location off La Rambla in Raval, and the rooms are a decent size for a single and clean. But the street can feel unsafe late at night if you are a female on your own, and there is no free wifi. 70 euros a night is scandalous when you see what else you can get in BCN for that. Try www.hotelconstanza.com or www.bcnfashionhouse.com.