Christina

I'm going to Barcelona in July and got tired of looking at overpriced hotels that were nothing great, so am now thinking of renting an apt from this outfit, they look nice and I'll save money. I know others have used them okay, but I was wondering about their methods so I can make some decisions before bugging them -- what is their method for arrival? From some reviews I read, they have some agent meet you at the apt., is that right, you don't have to go anywhere else first? I know the time is 11 am plus, which is okay. Second, what are the methods for leaving? I can't find them anywhere, so I wonder if you just leave and leave the key in the apt., or do you have to meet up with someone?

FInally, these are the 2 places I'm considering, both in a building behind the university on carrer del Consell de Cent, close to the corner of c/Granados. Both look fine, although I noticed neither has a very good photo of the bathroom (not a dealbreaker). I'm leaning towards the "loft" or top floor as it has a terrace. So if anyone has been in one of these and has comments, that would be great (or any comments on them otherwise, of course). They are both free my dates and I'll be solo, so plenty of room:

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...ample-loft.htm

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...eixample-5.htm

I remember someone asking once about that second one, but don't know if they stayed there.
thanks

BigRuss

Well, we didn't go with Habitat because most of the apartments required a cash deposit and Barcelona was our last stop with the Euro. To avoid changing 400E back to dollars on the morning of our flights home, we opted for a place that charged deposit to a credit card and refunded us (www.barcelonastuff.com). If you live in Euro-ville, this is not a concern.

Most places that have a cash deposit, like Habitat (we checked into them) arrange for someone to meet you at the apartment to check you out of the place. This means they come with the cash deposit and look around to make sure you haven't gone all Sid Vicious on the place. They don't really do a full point-by-point inspection, just a pass-through to make sure you haven't transformed it into a dump.

danon

We stayed in one of the apts in the building...it was not the loft..but a 2 bed with balcony
on the high floor....it was around 2010..… not sure.
the apt. was fine,
the area is perfect...my favorite location in Barcelona.
At that time, we were not asked for a deposit.

opaldog

We have used habitatapartments twice and were happy with both experiences. Both times I used a cc for the down payment and the security deposit. They did not put a hold on my cc for a security deposit. I emailed them ahead and asked if I could use the cc for a security deposit and they said fine, they only would charge it in case of damage. That was fine with me.

An agent met us at the apartment both times with no problems. We left the keys in the apartment when we left. I definitely recommend them.

Christina

thanks, that helps. Danon, I understand you left no security deposit, so how did you take leave of the apartment? Did you just leave on your own and leave the keys in the place, or what? I understand if there was no deposit, I guess they couldn't do anything to you, just wondered. So that's good that you were in the same building and didn't find anything terrible in the immediate area or with the building, that's great.

Also, if you were in the same building, did someone meet you at the apartment when you arrived at an agreed time?

I'm not that concerned about cash upon arrival as I'm only there 5 days, so that is do-able, unless my ATM card wold work for some reason. I think my total was about 650 euro.

danon

It was 2009 actually, at that time Habitat might have had a different policy they have now.
We phoned from the train station and the agent met us at the building entrance.
If I remember correctly, the agent came to take a look at the apt. before we left and got the key from us.
Habitat will give you all the information you need....they are a good outfit.
There is a bakery in the building, several restaurants around the corner and a market
a minute away.
E. Granados , one of my favorite streets in Barcelona is around the corner from the building.
Rambla de Catalunya ( not Ramblas) , another fabulous street, is several minutes walk.

Don't know if you are familiar with the city, that location is terrific.
I was in Barcelona 10days ago. - my number 7 visit.

kimhe

Great area to stay. I will recommend to have lunch in close by and very popular l'Aribau, on the corner of C/Aribau and Corts Catalanes, just beside the wonderful university from 1450. This is a very typical and local atmosphere place with no fuzz and great Catalan food.

Here businesspeople, academics and all kind of locals drop in for a three course lunch for 8,60€ (before 14, 9,60€ after 14h). Salad or today's soup, grilled meat or fish with poatatoes/vegetables and dessert. Excellent place with lots of local specialities. Wonderful local sausage Botifarra with slightly garlicy white beans here last Friday. Many solo diners. http://barcelona.salir.com/laribau

You are also close to excellent Ca l'Estevet. Had a great meal here a week ago. I can strongly recommend the tomato salad - much thanks to the extremely rich Vinagre de Jerez - the world class Iberian ham, the Barcelona speciality Bacalà a la llauna and the wonderful grilled chicken with prunes.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

Christina

thank you both, I have emailed them with a couple questions, but am choosing between those 2.

I have been to Barcelona before, loved it, and know that area which is why I chose it.

Their rates are very reasonable compared to vacation apartments in Paris, I think.

CarolJean

ttt

Christina

well, I booked the Eixemple Loft apt. They were very responsive in answering some email questions on these places yesterday, got back to me in one day. If by any chance, anyone finds this thread and wonders about these 2, I am noting:

the Eixemple 5 apt says balcony but doesn't show one -- I was sent photos and it's the small window kind, you can't really sit out on it. Also, it doesn't mention the floor. Turns out they have several like that in this building, and you may get one on any floor from 1 to 5, they can't promise, they said you'd get the highest one available (I would want highest due to noise). I booked the loft partly for that reason (I wouldn't want first floor), but liked the terrace, anyway.

They said that for checkout, I would have to meet up with someone to do that in order to get my cash security deposit back, which is what I wanted to know to plan departure details. Because ideally when I need to leave, I just want to leave without special details (I like apartments where you just leave and put the key on the table, then they refund your deposit by credit card).

He also said I had to call upon arrival and before meeting, so they know that I had arrived. I get that, but I don't have a mobile phone that works in Europe and don't really have a need for one so don't think I'm going to arrange to get one. I hope there is some way to call someone by public phone from the airport.

danon

hope you have a good stay.
Some years ago
I purchased a cheap unlocked phone and European
SIM card . Rental apt.don't have a phone...I was
concerned with possible emergency ....
We rent most of the time, so it works for us.


I am pretty sure you will be able call from the airport.

kimhe

Lots of public phones on the Barcelona airport.

Christina

thanks, they have been very responsive to my questions, and did tell me I should find a phone in the airport no problem.

So I have already reserved with Habitat, but thanks for the ideas, Stella.