EuropeChevron SpainChevron CataloniaChevron BarcelonaChevron As a city, Barcelona exudes a knowing, effortless quality that makes it undeniably—there’s just no better word for it—cool, and some of the best affordable hotels in Barcelona are a reflection of that. If the Spanish city were a person, you might find they combine a certain beachy, salt-sprayed insouciance with impressive cultural nous and urban grit. You’d definitely want to be part of their inner circle, and the good news is that you can be—even when on a budget. Despite frictions stemming from overtourism, the Catalan capital still extends a welcoming hand to travelers, and there is a crop of affordable boutique hotels that mean it remains one of the most appealing city breaks in Europe.…