julies

I'm looking at lodging for Barcelona and there is a theme that sounds somewhat intriguing, but at the same time I have my doubts. There are schemes where you get your own room with private bath, but you share a common kitchen, lounge, terrace etc. Some of these seem to be a scheme where it is just a large flat and the tourists in the rooms come and go with no on-site caretaker--basically a large aratement with a bunch of unrelated people sharing it. Others sound like a situation where a family runs the place and then you kind of share with them and whatever other guests there are (similar to a B & B I think.) Have you ever stayed in a place like this? What was your experience? We are typically budget to moderate travellers who like to meet other people, but we are not so social that all we'd want to do is hang out with a bunch of total strangers. As I said, I have mixed feelings about this whole set-up. The idea of having a kitchen to use just to make a snack or store some cold drinks and breakfast food sounds good as does the idea of a terrace and lounge area, but the question of course becomes who else is sharing the place with you. Part of our enjoyment of travel is having the opportunity to interact with people from other countries and areas, but we could really be stuck with a situation that is intolerable because of the people involved. What do you think? Thanks.

crefloors

My neice lived in some hostels and a couple of places similar to what you are describing for a few months while trying to get a flat and settled in London. Some places and some people were better than others. There is no guarantee who is going to be in the apartment with you so "you's gots to take your chances". I'm sure there would be no pressure to hang out with anyone in the flat, apartment, what ever. MY main concern would be the safety of my clothes and valuables. You want to make sure that you can lock everything up with a reasonable certainty that they will be safe. I would for sure not leave money, credit cards, jewelry, or passport in the flat. It could turn out to be great and fun to meet people even if you don't have out with them.

nytraveler

I have never done it - but a friend of mine has a couple of times - in easter europe - rented a room from a family. And in each case she has been very satisfied with the arrangements. One caveat: she rented the room on the spot after meeting the people and seeing the room.

The other idea - sharing semi-public accomodation with a group of strangers - seems to me to be madness. There are enough people I wouldn;t be willing to share a cab with - never mind an apartment. The safety issue - both personal and of belongings - is obvious. The irritation factor - although perhaps less disturbing - seems to me to be incredibly likely.

althom1122

My daughter and I stayed in a place like this in Florence - for women only. It was kind of like a B&B but breakfast was on your own in the kitchen (there was cereal and juice and fruit and you just fixed breakfast when you wanted). There was no living room, as I recall, and there were 2 bathrooms for 4 or 5 rooms to share. I had a funny experience there. When I got up the first morning, the bathroom right across from our room was in use, so I decided to shower in the other one - which was through the kitchen. When I finished showering and looked for a towel, there was none to be found... and then it slowly dawned on me that we had nice fluffy towels... back in the room. And there I was on the other side of the kitchen, soaking wet and with no towel. I tried using a little toilet paper (NOT a good idea!), and then put my nightshirt back on and dashed through the kitchen. Fortunately, no one was in the kitchen, so I managed. My daughter thought it was hilarious...
Anyway, I thought it was a great experience (shower aside!) and would definitely do it again. We talked briefly to another woman at breakfast but for the most part we were on our own. Good luck!
Karen

LaVisiteure

My son and his wife stayed in Barcelona last summer in a situation like this. It was listed online as a B&B – a bedroom and bath in a beautiful apartment, with no other guests. They loved it. The couple who owned it were interesting people about their age; they went to see the play my son was touring, and they all stayed up late talking about common interests. This might have been rare good fortune, so I'd suggest conversations by e-mail to see if you're looking at a situation that will suit you.