Stayed at Room Mate Gerard, August 5 thru 12. Rooms 107 and 108. Were early for check-in. Went around the corner for a coffee. Steps away from Room Mate Gerard we were robbed. Thirty minutes after stepping off the airport bus. My backpack sitting by my leg, with passport, iPhone, iPad, camera, headphones, two pairs of glasses, books and several thousand dollars -- gone. A professional operation. Guy on a bike, chatting us up, some other sleaze bag slipped behind me. Room Mate Gerard indifferent. Learned later that Barcelona is second from the top in Euro cities for theft. When we handed our suitcases to the front desk attendant, picked up my backpack and told him we'd return for check-in, no one -- and there were several desk reps -- no one said, there are rings of professional criminals roaming the streets, you need to keep careful watch of your backpack. No warning from the helpful and "protective" (see their website) people at Room Mate Gerard. I emailed them twice complaining about the failure to warn me, or even better a small sign of caution. No response. So much for hospitality at Room Mate Gerard. I also read the other glowing reviews. I don't know where that's coming from. Yes, the rooms are attractive, but if you're on the street side, the street is narrow and amplifies the roar of trucks rumbling down the street at 2:00 am. Tough to sleep. The bathroom is modern and attractive, except the shower is almost impossible to use (Room 108). It doesn't drain. In minutes water is lapping at your ankles. The faucets are super sensitive, the slightest turn is scalding hot, too hot to stand under. The cold, I swear, is also scalding hot. I'm not kidding. I mentioned it to the desk. They said they sent someone and that it worked fine. Okay, fine. I finally learned that with painstakingly tiny turns you could bring up enough cold water to avoid burns. Honestly, I spent more time fiddling with the faucets than enjoying a shower. It was a royal pain in the neck. Room Mate Gerard is not a safe, helpful or hospitable place. There are plenty of hotels in Barcelona. I would avoid Room Mate Gerard. read more