Stayed for a few nights on a bed & breakfast basis between Christmas and New Year and chose the hotel after reading TA reviews. The hotel has a lovely facade and is on the Gran Via and an easy 5-10 minute walk to Placa Catalunya. Nearest metro is Universitat a couple of minutes away. Once through he doors its like a lot of the newer or refurbished hotels in the city, very modern (lime green and chocolate) with well appointed bathrooms and bedrooms. The room on the 7th floor faced the Gran Via and yes you could hear street noise and the sirens from the emergency vehicles which would be disturbing if you had the balcony door open but in December that wasn't a problem.
Reception staff were good and helpful and service in the lounge bar area was efficient but the area lacks any atmosphere, similarly the restaurant on the 1st floor which was used for breakfast. The breakfasts were disappointing. No hot food on offer. Okay there was the usual selection of fruits, yogurts, meats and cheeses but most now offer at least hot scrambled eggs and Spanish bacon but not here. Didn't eat in at night preferring to walk down town and eat at some of the restaurants there. The hotel is fine - not inspiring but fine and we enjoyed the stay.

With the metro so close getting around was easy. Buy a T10 card if you are going to travel this way which costs 6.90 euros and gives you 10 metro trips.

Being on the Gran Via taxis are plentiful. You could walk to Universitat square where there is a taxi rank but they drive past the hotel every few minutes so if you need a cab you should be able to hail one within a few minutes as we did to take us back to the airport. Fare depending on the traffic around 18 euros.

The hotel is located convenient to the main street, the interior is clean and stylish, the price didn't feel overly expensive; however a big problem was safety.
The door didn't have a dead bolt, which from a US resident standpoint a bit worrysome but some may say normal for a European hotel. One night, there was a group of very drunk young men who were basically kicking and screaming in the hallway just outside of our room. Then actually one guy was able to open our room door with his card key! Right after that we went downstairs to the front desk, and the front desk manager deactivated the keys and re-issued us the refreshed set of card keys. A security guy said that he didn't see anyone suspicious.
The durnk men continued to kick and scream (seemed that they were staying next door to us), so we called the front desk, but it didn't feel like any intervention was made.
It could have been just a small mistake at the card key installation point, but as it was combined with a group of drunk people, it unfortunately turned out to be a bad experience. Otherwise the room was cleaned neatly every day.

The hotel is really good. For the price we have paid it was overal very good. The point that we missed was that there wasn't a swimming pool, but I think when they would have a swimming pool this hotel certainly would get a 5 star. And would be more expensive.

The hotel has a very good orientation, near plaza catalunya and Ramblas so the shopping area. The hotel staff was very friendly and the rooms were always okay.
The hotel even maid our trip to cava freixenet, they have made the booking for us (group of 7)
The triple room was bigger then we thought.

Overal a good hotel, and I have read that many persons complain about the noise, but you have to remind that you make a citytrip, and a city where is much to do, there is more noice. But I have nothing noticed at all, and had a quiet sleep!

Just come back from 3 night break in Barcelona, 13 adults, we stayed at the Rafael Casanova Hotel. The hotel was very good and only a short walk to the centre of the city. The rooms were modern and very comfortable the only downside was the hotel is on a very busy road and consequently the noise from the traffic could be heard throughout the night. I would still recommend the hotel but request a room on the back of the hotel if you are a light sleeper.
We ate in the hotel restaurant twice and the food was very good, the staff are pleasant and helpful. The hotel has a nice bar and lounge area and was an ideal meeting area to start the evening or to round off the evening and very comfortable, We drank copious amounts here !
Overall a great weekend.