Decision Review: Pg. De St. Joan 163 PR-1 Gràcia, Barcelona
This article reviews a student residence located at 163, Gràcia, 08037 Barcelona, Spain – a property listed under the name “Pg. De St. Joan 163 PR-1 Gràcia.” It offers non-ensuite rooms in a branded independent house setting. Monthly rents range from €791 to €927 (indicative — confirm with the operator), with a deposit of €801 (indicative — confirm with the operator). The earliest move-in date is 9 July 2026, and the minimum lease term is 4 months.
Based on 29 Google reviews, the property holds an average rating of 4.1 out of 5. We analysed three verbatim reviews and combined them with city-wide data to give you an honest sense of who this place works for – and who should look elsewhere.
Who This Residence Suits
1. Students who prioritise location and convenience
Two of the three reviewers mention the location positively. Paulo (rating 4) writes: “A quiet and pleasant place. Very nice with shops at the bottom of the building.” Salar (rating 3) adds: “great location for a residency, everything can be found in nearby shops.” The address sits in the Gràcia district, a well-connected area with easy access to several universities: the University of Barcelona, Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, and Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. If you want to be close to daily amenities (supermarkets, restaurants, metro) and cut down commute time, this location works.
2. Students who are comfortable with shared kitchen and cleaning service
The property is a shared house with a single kitchen. Salar notes: “only one kitchen which is annoying” – but he also says “the cleaning service is very good” and “bathrooms are fine and clean always.” If you do not mind using a communal kitchen and appreciate having bathrooms and common areas cleaned regularly, this setup may suit you.
3. Students looking for a quiet environment
Paulo describes the residence as “a quiet and pleasant place.” For those who need to study at home and prefer low noise levels, this could be a plus.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
1. Female students or anyone concerned about privacy and safety in shared living
The lowest-rated reviewer, suu 111 (rating 1), gives a strong warning: “Absolutely would not recommend this place for any students looking for housing in Barcelona. Firstly it is very overpriced for what it is, if it were actual student housing it would be fine but this place is a HOSTEL. As a girl, I would head to the kitchen and bump into fully grown men, who would make me extremely unco…” (the text cuts off, but the message is clear). This suggests the building is used as a hostel-style accommodation with adult guests, not exclusively students. If you are a woman travelling alone or anyone who values a strictly student-only environment, you may feel uncomfortable here.
2. Students on a tight budget
The city’s cheapest monthly student accommodation starts at €250 (indicative — confirm with the operator), and the average across all properties (189 listings in Barcelona) varies. At €791–€927, this residence is roughly 3–4 times the city’s entry-level price. Even compared to typical shared rooms in Barcelona (often €400–€600), this is expensive. Both suu 111 and Salar explicitly mention the price: “very overpriced” and “the cost is expensive in my opinion comparing to its features.” If budget is your main concern, this is not the most cost-effective option.
3. Students who need a private kitchen or larger room
Salar says “the rooms are small.” Combined with “only one kitchen which is annoying,” anyone who wants a private cooking space or a room big enough for a desk and storage may find the configuration limiting.
4. Students requiring full independence
The unit type is labelled as a “branded independent house” but the reviews indicate it operates partly as a hostel. That could mean flexible but less predictable occupancy. If you prefer a standard student residence with dedicated common areas and strict guest policies, look elsewhere.
Price Positioning vs. the City’s From-Price
Barcelona’s from-price for student accommodation is €250 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). That bottom rate typically applies to shared rooms in older buildings or far from the city centre. The Pg. De St. Joan 163 residence sits at €791–€927, which is 216%–271% above the lowest available option.
However, “from-price” is a baseline; most central, decent-quality shared rooms range from €500–€800. At the upper end of that range, this property is still priced above average for a non-ensuite room. The deposit (€801) equals roughly one month’s rent, which is standard in Barcelona. Value for money depends on how much you weigh clean bathrooms and location against small rooms and hostel-like atmosphere.
Room-Type Guidance
The residence lists non-ensuite rooms (shared bathroom) within a branded independent house. This means you get a private bedroom but share bathroom(s) and the kitchen with other tenants. The “branded independent house” label typically refers to a building managed by a larger operator that is not a purpose-built student residence (like a hostel or short-let apartment converted to student housing). If you see similar listings, treat them with the same caution – ask the operator directly about the mix of residents (students vs. tourists) and the exact number of people sharing each bathroom.
Booking Timing
The property is available from 9 July 2026. With a minimum lease of 4 months, you could stay until early November 2026 (covering a summer course or the first semester). Many Barcelona student rentals start in September; securing a place in July gives you an earlier start but also means fewer competing tenants at that time.
Given that reviews mention the building also operates as a hostel, availability may fluctuate. If you are interested, do not wait until August – start enquiring by May or June 2026. Use the on-site assistant (see end of article) to ask whether rooms for September 2026 are already released and whether the operator offers flexible start dates.
FAQ
H3: Is this residence safe for female students?
Based on the review from suu 111, there are serious concerns. The reviewer described encountering adult men in the kitchen and feeling uncomfortable. Since the building is used partly as a hostel, you cannot guarantee a student-only environment. If safety and privacy are top priorities for you, ask the operator directly: “What is the ratio of students to short-term guests? Are there any gender-segregated floors or common areas?” Also request a video tour of the corridors and kitchen to assess the layout. Without clear answers, this residence may not be the best choice for solo female students.
H3: Can I get a room for less than €791 if I book early?
No. The published price range (€791–€927) is set by the operator and does not appear to drop for early booking. The differences within that range likely reflect room size or floor level. The cheapest units will be the smallest or ground-level rooms. Your best chance to save is to compare other properties in Barcelona; many shared flats outside the Gràcia district start below €600. However, if you particularly want this location, expect to pay the listed range. Always confirm the exact price for the room you are offered.
H3: What utilities are included in the rent?
The listing does not specify utility inclusion. The property tags mention “internet”, so that is likely included. Usually, non-ensuite student houses in Barcelona charge utilities separately or cap them (e.g. €50–€80 per month). You must ask the operator: “Are water, electricity, gas, and internet included in the monthly rent? If not, what is the average monthly bill?” Without that information, the true cost may be higher than the advertised €791–€927.
Sources & Data Date
- Property data and reviews sourced from Amber Student (inventory ID: amber-1235396).
- City from-price (€250) and property count (189) sourced from Amber Student’s Barcelona database.
- All prices are indicative and must be confirmed with the operator.
- Data retrieved as of July 2026.
To check current room availability, exact move-in dates, or ask questions directly to the property operator, please use the on-site assistant available on this page.
See also: listing details · browse more