Anti-tourist Sentiments

To what extent is the reaction to tourism in excess and the conversion of previously affordable housing for locals into nightly rentals for tourists, related?

In 2014, I had a surreal anti-tourist experience.

As I was crawling through the back alleys of the Alfama, Lisbon's salty sailor quarter of yore, I came upon spray-painted graffiti in large letters: "Tourists out!" It was obvious I was an outsider. The sign hastened my exit from the neighborhood, as they didn't want outsiders. Ironically, my wallet was lifted on a tram that same day only hours earlier, the only time I was a target of a theft in close to two dozen trips abroad; they didn't get much. Suffice it to say, I was having a bad day and started to wonder if I should have gone to Portugal at all.

However, that same night I was in the Alfama again. I met a coworker -- at the time, I worked for a London-based company with employees throughout the world -- and native Lisboan to listen to some fado, the Portuguese blues. It was perhaps among the top-five most authentic performances in all my travels overseas. The musicians were wonderful, and the singer could wring tears from anyone, including mine, though I don't speak Portuguese and couldn't understand what she was saying. Mostly locals were in attendance, but the couple next to me were Germans, so I wasn't the only tourist.

It showed me that serendipity can emerge amid adversity when traveling overseas.

I don't want to go somewhere where I'll be part of the problem. Apparently renting an Airbnb IS part of the problem so that leaves us facing a choice - do we make the sacrifice (so to speak) of only staying in hotels rather than support a business model that takes housing away from locals? And if we are willing to do so, will it make that much difference?

But also, I read some articles a while back which blamed cruise ships for a lot of the anti-tourist sentiment, because they DON'T contribute enough to the local economy to offset the burden.

Here is an excerpt from THIS ARTICLE

One of the biggest arguments supporters make for keeping cruise ships is their contribution to the local economy.
But do guests on these giant vessels actually spend money in the towns they dock at?
Several studies have shown that passengers disembarking from ships don’t contribute as much to the local economy as you might think. With all the food, drink and souvenirs they could ever want available on board, the money stays at sea. (And this is not to mention that their accommodations are all on board the ship as well.)

There are no anti-tourist sentiments in Barcelona, our beef is with "overtourism", and the fact the benefits of tourism are currently not being felt by the local community, balance is key, right now there is no balance and that's causing a cost of living/housing crisis. This goes beyond just "annoyances" of overtourism however, short-term rentals and investor demand are inflating housing costs.

Foreign conglomerates and speculators (including many wealthy Russians) buy up properties in cities like Madrid and Barcelona, pushing prices beyond local affordability. Spain’s housing supply is also strained by widespread vacancies, with millions of homes used only occasionally as holiday properties or short-term rentals. Over 4 million homes, including 400,000 vacation rentals, remain vacant, while more than 2.5 million properties are used only occasionally as second or third residences, rarely rented out.

I see that the Louvre is closed today because the staff are overwhelmed with unmanageable numbers.

Trying to shift blame to the cruise industry is not a solution. I have cruised for decades, and I always stay in hotels pre- and post wherever I go. But I do agree that cruise ship visits keep increasing in certain places, and most local governments do not have enough voice/control during port calls. Local ports need to be more assertive with cruise ship visitor schedules and requirements. I see the Bahamas is starting to crack down on all the special private cruise islands that do not share their wealth with the locals!

I have also NEVER rented an Air B & B in my life, and I never intend to do so. However, that does not mean they are not good options for large families. But, appropriate regulations and oversight should be enacted. There should also be a percentage limit of these establishments, especially in residential neighborhoods. Governments may have to deny sales to non-citizens.

The problem is just that there are more travelers than ever, and more people trying to make money from all the tourists. Sadly, it has almost become a free-for-all. There are a certain percentage of travelers who do not treat the places they go with respect or care.

Right now in many popular places the branches are bending from all the pressures. Too much more and they will break!

The solutions are: strictly monitor visitor numbers and have capacity limits (I think Venice is moving toward this), create a first-come first served ticket with a daily cap (example--museums like Sagrada Familia), try to encourage visitors at different times of the year, especially slow season (Iceland has become more successful with this), raise prices as needed for tourists to ensure upkeep is feasible (this should include public transportation--locals should pay less and tourists more, as well as city tourist taxes), require minimum expenditures for visitors (this may take some work in advance but could be accomplished), increase punishment and fines for those tourists that are reckless and damage local landmarks, and so forth (Singapore is very strict with rules).

Many tourists also complain about pickpockets, etc., because the criminals have increased in areas because they are following the money! Local police are not able to deal with all this crime overflow. Local police also have to deal with tourists who regularly visit certain hotspots, party nonstop, and drink until they pass out. Here in the US, a bar can be sued if the patrons become too drunk and commit wrongful actions.

There is a lot on the plate for these countries, and It will take effort, but results should pay off.

There will always be tourists, but tourists also need to be mindful that to be welcome they must be respectful guests!

I have also NEVER rented an Air B & B in my life, and I never intend
to do so

You say that so adamantly, do you mind if I ask why? I've stayed in Airbnbs all over the U.S. and Europe and saved a lot of money that way. They are often half the price with MUCH more room than a hotel plus amenities. You can save money on meals by picking up food at local markets and preparing it yourself, you can get your laundry done so you don't run out of clean clothes on your trip. Best of all you have privacy.

In my little burg, officials have estimated there are about as many illegal nightly rentals as legal units. The advantages of better prices, larger space, etc., versus motels, are real for visitors. However, those cute modest homes that used to house workers and their families, are snatched up...then converted to nightly rentals. Affordable housing, previously occupied by workers and their families over decades, have disappeared. How tourists spend their money can positively and negatively impact communities.

Airbnb probably has a negative impact on some people and a positive impact on others. The way I feel is, Spain is a democracy and they can decide for themselves if they want to outlaw or in some other way restrict Airbnbs. Until then, I will continue to rent Airbnbs, because it is a legal business and it is not up to me to set their housing policies. We do our best not to disturb the neighbors.

Tourism Is Fine — Until It Isn’t

I agree with @Carlos on this one, but I’d like to open up a different angle — because it’s not just about overtourism. It’s also about something deeper: the loss of identity. This is key to understanding the latest trends in many of the world’s most popular destinations. It’s not about being anti-tourism — it’s about saying no to chaotic mass tourism.

And no, this isn’t unique to my city, Barcelona. I’ve lived in other cities abroad too, and the pattern is sadly familiar. The age of mass tourism — which took off a few decades ago when travel became cheaper and more accessible — opened up a huge opportunity: the chance to explore other cultures, to learn, to connect, and to understand each other better.

That was the promise.

But the reality? Often it’s very different. What we’ve ended up with, in many places, is a flood of people moving from destination to destination, more interested in good weather and Instagrammable views than in anything cultural or human. And sometimes, it comes with a certain self-entitled attitude — as if the locals are just part of the scenery, there to serve or step aside.

That’s not how it works. When you travel, you’re visiting someone else’s home — and that comes with a basic level of respect. You’re a guest, and at the same time, an ambassador of your own culture. Whether you like it or not, your behaviour says something about where you come from.

Now, of course, people can travel for whatever reason they like. Nobody says you have to strike up conversations with locals or do a crash course in anthropology every time you take a trip. You’re on vacation — maybe you just want to relax and have a good time. Fair enough.

But there’s a middle ground between that and treating a place like a theme park.

Unfortunately, too many visitors these days don’t seem to find that middle ground. And when millions of people come to a place every year — like Barcelona — the market adapts. Many businesses shift toward what those tourists want. That's the hard fact of the dark side of capitalism.

That shift brings three big problems:

1. Everything gets watered down — quantity gets prioritised over quality, and places start to lose their character and uniqueness.
2. Local identity erodes — lifelong neighbourhood shops and cafés close down, pushed out by international chains with deeper pockets and broader reach.
3. Massification of everything — the sheer number of visitors turns everyday life into a challenge. Streets in certain areas are packed, public transport is overcrowded, and simple daily routines — going to work, shopping, picking up your kids — become stressful. The city starts to feel like it’s running for the visitors, not for the people who live in it.

The result? Cities that feel less like themselves and more like copies of each other. The same menus, the same shops, the same souvenirs — just a different backdrop.

So yes, tourism is welcome. But if we don’t start thinking more carefully — as hosts and as guests — we’ll lose the very things that made these places worth visiting in the first place.

You say that so adamantly, do you mind if I ask why? I've stayed in Airbnbs all over the U.S. and Europe and saved a lot of money that way. They are often half the price with MUCH more room than a hotel plus amenities.

As someone who lives in a tourist state, I can tell you that your desire for cheap lodgings destroys residential neighborhoods. I no longer have neighbors. I used to. We used to interact all the time. But now instead there are transients coming and going all the time instead.

Choosing to save a few bucks by staying at an Airbnb contributes to the destruction of the environment of neighborhoods, and that’s what makes me angry.

I have stayed in a LOT of Beds and Breakfasts, and even used to subscribe to a magazine called that same name. You stayed in the owner's home, and they prepared breakfast for you and others. It was a very communal and lovely experience.

I decided never to use Air Bnbs because: there is no consistency or guarantee of quality or safety as compared to hotels; there is no relationship with the home owners; when I am on vacation, I do not cook or make up beds; I disagree with the politics of the founders; you book through an anonymous platform that enriches the corporation but never provides improvements for the facilities; and now of, course, these houses are disrupting neighborhoods (parties!), limiting home ownership, and turning into corporate investments, not family-run. The unlicensed (illegal) and unregulated Airbnbs are a tremendous challenge for local governments, and probably avoid appropriately paying taxes.

Husband and I both started traveling internationally as teens.
We used to hitch and train all over Europe, and use a sleeping bag and tent- along with backpacks--can't get much cheaper than that. Many farmers in England allowed youth to camp for free on their property back in the 70's. Life was much more free spirited in those times--Yes, I also hitchhiked around in Spain. The goals were to meet people, see the sights, and learn about the culture.

Travel is a wonderful experience--but the benefits for tourists should never occur by causing distress to the places they visit.

I completely agree with Carlos and Enric.
Nowadays when I travel, and since I can now afford it, I try to make a meaningful financial contribution to the local economy, engage with the community, as well as seek out the historic and cultural uniqueness of the area.
I am also 100% polite and respectful, because I am the guest.

By the way, I consider Spain almost as a second home, since I lived, studied, and worked there. I still remember when youth unemployment was over 20%, and hardly anyone saw the country as an important tourist destination. This explosion of tourism now certainly benefits the economy, but must be managed much, much better, so as not to endanger the nation.

Yes, this issue of overtourism is occurring in many places, and I know I have responded to this topic before on this same website! As I have said, some day travel destinations may even be decided by lottery!!

I decided never to use AirBnbs because: there is no consistency or
guarantee of quality or safety as compared to hotels; there is no
relationship with the homeowners; when I am on vacation, I do not
cook or make up beds;

I completely agree. I also don’t like them for those reasons.

I disagree with the politics of the founders;

A perfectly legitimate personal choice. I suggest you check out the politics of the CEO of Delta Airlines. Just saying.

you book through an anonymous platform that enriches the corporation
but never provides improvements for the facilities;

No, short-term rentals are a competitive business. The successful ones will do renovations and upgrades. Those very often benefit everyone living in the apartment building. So that’s a plus of the system. Where I live we can all have AC and a washer now because the short-term rental units had to upgrade the electrical service to the building to make their units markatable. That one upgrade raised the value of my home, so I could put in a modern kitchen without having to worry about losing the investment when I sell the place. Of course with AC and a nice kitchen the flat is worth more and its no longer suitable for homeless housing but the city has a large very well educated middle class looking for housing too and in this country where owning is the norm, it should sell well.

and now of, course, these houses are disrupting neighborhoods
(parties!), limiting home ownership, and turning into corporate
investments, not family-run.

I live on a tourist street of a tourist district in a tourist city in Europe. My street if 475 feet long according to Google Maps. Thats about a football field and a half. There are no less than 300 apartments on my street. No less than 20 are short-term rentals, and the number might be higher.

Of the other 280 apartments statistically 90% are owner occupied and 10% are rented. You would never know there were so many short-term rentals on the street as there are no renter parties, no noise from the renters that is more objectionable than from the locals on the street.

The majority of the short-term rentals are owned by local citizens. The average Airbnb owner owns something less than two units, that is far from corporate. Short-term rentals here are heavily controlled by the government with licenses, annual inspections and rating system much like the stars for hotels.

But that is here. I am certain your comments do apply in some places. The concern is legitimate the over generalization takes money out of the pockets of hard working citizens in the city where I live.

The unlicensed (illegal) and unregulated Airbnbs are a tremendous
challenge for local governments, and probably avoid appropriately
paying taxes.

Might be. In the city many of the plumbers are working illegally and not paying taxes as they should. Does that mean we outlaw plumbers?

Excellent @Enric. Well said and I couldn't agree more. As a West Coast Canadian living and working on Canada's most touristy Island, we're keenly aware of the impact tourists bring, both positive and negative. My wife and I know travelling is a privelage and honour and we cringe seeing others treat Europe's greatest cities like a frat house. We first visited Barcelona 3 years ago for our 25th wedding anniversary and spent a glorious week and fell in love with it. We found the people to be joyful, helpful and welcoming, the food, creative and delicious and Gaudi's brilliance, inspiring. We stayed at one of the H10's hotels and loved it so much we'll be staying again. We've always wanted to return to Barcelona and so we are, this January, in the offseason, when the boisterous crowds and water pistols, are at a minimum :) Tourism is difficult because it's painfully necessary. Without it, many cities would suffer and with it, they suffer in other ways. I do believe there's a way for cities to benefit from the revenue and interest tourists bring while limiting the carnage corporate tourism inflicts. Like most things in life, there's a happy medium between the extremes. And it starts with a mindset that says, "I am a guest in their home, and I will tread softly."

I do believe there's a way for cities to benefit from the revenue and
interest tourists bring while limiting the carnage corporate tourism
inflicts.

I agree with you. Accor Hotels the largest corporate accommodation conglomerate in the world, has over 20 hotels in Barcelona. Imagine if you got rid of them and maybe two other corporate name brands you would probably reduce the tourism capacity by half. Those hotels would make exceptional low-income housing and the little guy, the Spanish citizens, could rent out apartments for higher rates and keep the money in the city.

Mr E. So what's the solution? Hotels or ABNB? Visitors still need a place to sleep.

I offer a different view.

It seems that there are cost-of-living and housing complaints that are universal and driven much more by a dynamic free-market economic system than by tourism. In popular cities, neighborhood stores and cafes often close not because of tourists but because those cities generate economic activity and jobs, and many simply want to live and work in those cities, driving the price of housing and rent costs up. True in countless American cities--this seems to be one of the major issues in the current New York City mayor's race. True in Europe as well.

Many European cities, especially Barcelona which had a World's Fair, for decades marketed themselves as a visitor destination. Places complaining of over-tourism created the "problem," and they have the power to effectively address the "problem," beyond condoning those wielding water pistols and scrawling threatening graffiti. Limit permits for Airbnbs. Dramatically increase the cost of cruise ships docking. Tax more heavily hotel rooms. If there are fewer rooms to rent and if the cost of visiting becomes materially higher, the number of people visiting will drop.

And the code of conduct for visitors and locals is a two-way street. On my many trips to Europe, I don't think I have ever acted rudely or showed a lack of respect to the places I was visiting and those who lived there. I doubt that anyone on these forums has done so. And I suspect that the percentage of visitors who have done so is comparable to the percentage of locals who misbehave.

In short, there may be some relationship between some of the social ills complained of and tourism. But tourism is more an exacerbating factor than the real cause. And I am reminded of the saying that when there is a problem, people can ask one of two questions. They can ask who did this to us? Or they can ask how do we solve this. If people don't want so many visiting their city, they can address the issue and look for solutions or compromises with their neighbors who do benefit from tourism. But in finding answers, they need to look in the mirror and stop blaming others.

John, sorry, my comment was more an illustration than a point of view. I am in RJ's camp. Be respectful the locals enough to believe they know better than I do what is best for themselves and will use their processes to achieve that end. And be a good tourist.

When we travel independently we rent an apartment through VRBO. We investigate the locale, security, etc. and pay close attention to the ratings. We see if the apartment is hosted by a local or a management company. Once in the apartment, we 'live' in the neighborhood; we shop locally and support the local economy. We are generally accepted by the neighbors that see us on a daily basis. For one night stops en route to another place a hotel is fine, but when we have a longer stay an apartment rental allows us to immerse ourselves in the culture of the area.

And the code of conduct for visitors and locals is a two-way street.
On my many trips to Europe, I don't think I have ever acted rudely or
showed a lack of respect to the places I was visiting and those who
lived there. I doubt that anyone on these forums has done so. And I
suspect that the percentage of visitors who have done so is comparable
to the percentage of locals who misbehave.

Yes, this. We rented an Airbnb in a small town in France, and the first night the upstairs tenant - a local college student - had a wild party that lasted into the wee hours. The upper floor throbbed with booming music, punctuated by shrieks of laughter and the voices of very drunk young man shouting loudly. When they finally broke it up, we were treated to the repeated slamming of doors, footsteps thudding down the stairs, and more shouts as they spilled out of the building just a few feet away from our bedroom. We are a quiet couple in our 60s who don't bother anyone else and expect the same in return. This isn't something that has happened often when we've been in Europe, but once in a while it is the locals who "misbehave" as much or more so than the visitors.

There are no anti-tourist sentiments in Barcelona,

There most definitely is. If you don't think demonstrations with chants of "tourists go home", hundreds of stickers plastered everywhere stating "tourists go home" and hotels full of tourists being attacked with smokebombs and other pyrotechnics doesn't portray an anti-tourist sentiment I dread to think what does.

StellaB, 4 of the about 30 apartments in my building are short-term rentals. There is one on the other side of my living room wall. I never hear them. I rarely see them. I know they are there because of the light in the window in the evening. But tourists here are of a better quality I guess ?

I'll post in here, since Enric and Carlos have some sensible stuff to say. We have three threads on much the same topic at the moment.

Neighborhood Assembly for Tourism Degrowth (ABDT) are the organisation behind the protests. I'll link below to their latest blog post which makes some interesting reading and gives some context aside from the slightly hysterical coverage they've had in the press. Catalan, but Google makes a decent job of an English translation.

https://assembleabarris.wordpress.com/2025/06/15/manifest-15j-perque-el-turisme-ens-roba-pa-sostre-i-futur-decreixement-turistic-ja/

They also have a manifesto, which I believe was read at the conclusion of the protest on Saturday.

https://assembleabarris.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/el-turisme-ens-roba-el-pa-el-sostre-i-el-futur-manifest-de-la-manifestacio-pel-decreixement-turistic-15-6-a-barcelona/

English language site Catalan News covered it in the run up and reported on Saturday's events.
https://www.catalannews.com/society-science/item/anti-tourism-demonstration-planned-in-barcelona-for-june-15
https://www.catalannews.com/housing-crisis/item/tourism-protest-barcelona-june-15-2025

I'd never heard of "degrowth" until today. I'll link to a couple of academic papers that make good reading if you're into that sort of thing -

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ijtc-09-2022-0211/full/html
https://cris.brighton.ac.uk/ws/files/6819797/Overtourism_and_tourism_degrowth.pdf

I'd be interested to know how Catalan media is reporting this and what the general feeling is in Barcelona. Is it a fringe opinion as some have suggested? Are the people being let down by local government? My feeling from years of visiting Barcelona (haven't been for a while, mind) is that it is a predominantly socialist city. Maybe that was just from my perspective based on who I was hanging out with and where I was going. To my mind, sometimes capitalism is like an angry Pitbull; it needs a muzzle so people don't get bitten.

Direct action sometimes has collateral damage. The water pistols certainly have made the world sit up and take notice. It doesn't reflect well on Barcelona's governance that it has got to this stage.

GerryM, the most informative and useful thing posted on the stuation. Thank you.

Barcelona is an interesting study in contrasts.

I have often said, as Enric and Carlos have, that the issue protesters have is with officials, and the demand to act, as well as assure that the profits from tourism flow down to the community; that "tourists' themselves are not being targeted. However hard to get that message across when the headlines are about tourist being squirted by water guns and pictures of protesters standing in the street at a cafe, chanting at the tourists sitting there.

That Barcelona worked with AirBnB to find and begin to shut down unlicensed short term rentals, but then vowed to shut down the remaining legal rentals as permits expire, as well as placed a hold on new hotel builds a number of years ago. The result? Basic economics tells you prices will rise significantly...and provide incentive for illegal short term lets. I would think regulating, zoning, and finding a balance of room supply would make more sense.

Barcelona has long complained about cruise ship passenger, but yet has just expanded it's cruise ship capacity by opening yet another terminal for MSC...with promises that they would reduce the total number of berths...we'll see, I would not bet on it just yet.

Barcelona continues to aggressively promote itself as a venue for major events...which attract more visitors in a short period of time.

It just seems as soon as one positive effort is announced, some measure is taken to pretty much nullify it.

But I get it, in seeing some of the discussions with leaders, their goal, is like the protesters, not to discourage visitors and tourists, but their goal is to attract and cater to the 5 Star Hotel and fine dining crowd, go for quality (Meaning spend $$$$) over quantity. (like the Americas Cup crowd). Decent strategy, but seems to leave out lower impact tourists, like many on here.

Don't have much to offer as to the issues in Barcelona, other than we enjoyed visiting the city and stayed in a hotel. In my community there are a variety of motels to choose from....modest to upscale. The number of nightly rentals has exploded in recent years. However, the economic incentive to illegally convert former long term rental properties occupied by locals into nightly rentals is evident and impactful.

Continuing to digress from the original point, but I have often wondered about why the accommodations sector doesn't address the gap. I don't understand why hoteliers aren't offering a close-enough product. Cookie cutter hotel rooms with two queens, one bath and MAYBE a tiny fridge are terrible for families. It doesn't take much to change that.

We did home rentals when the kids were little, but mostly managed to avoid Airbnb. We have stayed at a few hotels that have two sleeping areas and a tiny kitchen, which is pretty good. (Anyone remember the US chain "Country Inns and Suites"?) In Paris I know there is a chain called Citadines that I haven't personally used. But these are few and far between. (And from my limited research, aparthotels are often much more expensive, easily 200% of a similar airbnb. Does a front desk cost that much?)

The combo of more space AND more service is a sweet spot that is underserved. I love the reassurance of a front desk, and no nonsense about who's going to clean up. But I also don't want to share a room with 3 people, only have the bed to sit on, and no way to keep my beer--uh, orange juice--cold, if it's more than an overnight. Maybe the economics of aparthotels are beyond my ken. But I continue to pine for that "in between" that is so scarce.

I've never stayed in a hotel in Barcelona. I started out renting an apartment in 2000 from a web forum like this one, before AirBnB was in existence. It was done pretty much on trust; on the word in threads from the owner's posting history from previous renters.

I rented the same apartment in Gracia three years running at one point, had a year's gap and rented again a fourth time. The flat was owned by a couple, the woman's parents had passed away and left a two bedroom / living room /kitchen flat to them. They lived in the same building. They got to know I was coming for Sonar Festival every year and would get in touch to see if they could pencil me in for the June dates early in the year. I got to know them pretty well and would have dinner and drinks with them at some point in my stay every year. Even the guys that ran the shawarma joint across the street got to know me and my partner and friends, as they knew the couple I rented from too. All very civilised.

I saw Gracia change quite a bit in the period in was in Barcelona regularly. Lots of the buildings were quite derelict when I first went out. Right on Placa del Sol there was a whole apartment building that was squatted and I made the acquaintance of the guys that owned the resident rig (sound system), being a music guy, and had several good nights at their parties. If I wasn't at the squat parties, just hanging out in Placa del Sol was great too. Lots of people from the squats and regular locals. It was fun to just sit around in the square until dawn, drinking €1 beers and smoking very high quality, reasonably priced hashish bought from the Moroccan dudes that served the community. Proper vibes.

Later, the squats started to get evicted and the apartment buildings refurbished. Gentrification really started to take hold in Gracia, maybe around 2005 / 2006 or thereabouts, and it became much more chic and desirable. It lost some of the character I loved it for.

I think the pressure on affordable housing across many cities in Europe and beyond is a common tale in the last couple of decades. There's a whole load of other factors aside from short term lets to tourists. Too complex to really take a deep dive into right now.

I'm not sure what I'd do if I went out to Barcelona this year or next. Staying in a city centre hotel doesn't really hold any appeal to me, even as an over 50. I wouldn't say I'm a regular sort of tourist with interests in tourist sights though, so I'm not representative of the average.

JoAnne I agree with you. I stayed at Staycity Aparthotel in Venice Mestre back in 2023 and I liked its location, easy access to train station which took my parents and I 10 minutes by train into Venice and its proximity to the supermarket and use of a kitchen. The aparthotel has a 24 hour front desk and a gym (important to me).

Now I have booked a September cruise with my parents which starts in Portsmouth UK and ends in Barcelona so I am visiting a few more Spanish cities (Seville and Madrid), and one night in Barcelona as I have already visited the city.

But I am seriously struggling to find aparthotel or similar in Spain. I managed to book a serviced apartment in Seville which does seem to have a 24 hour front desk but sadly no gym but the hotel group does manage other hotels in the area so I think it falls under aparthotel? And for Barcelona I will have to book a 2* hotel that is borderline hostel in order to stay within budget. For Madrid I am tearing my hair out trying to find a reasonably priced hotel that is reasonably priced (under 250€) and in a safe location but all hotels seem to be at least €350 euro or more for 3* and above, could be my bad timing of when I want to go. I finally thought I found a new serviced apartment in a good area. But I saw multiple review bombings of the apartment even though it was not on AirBnB. I guess locals are fed up with the tourist apartments even if not on AirBnB. It is getting so hard to find anything reasonable that Madrid is starting to look like Paris and London prices, and right now I am thinking that even London seemed to be have more available hotels that is easily accessible by transport than Madrid.

I wish apartment hotel are available more in Spain because the auto check-ins can be so annoying and I already struggled with this when I went to Japan, sometimes it is easier to interact with a person.

But I still try and avoid AirBnB, I just see the horror stories, and thought why go through the trouble of all that. I wish there is a happy medium between apartments and hotels and have it not affect the locals too much. I live in Toronto and we also have this problem, a lot of condos are rented out as AirBnBs. So much so that a ton of condos outright banned it and police it through frequent searches on the site to prevent listings.