excited_confused

Hi, just booked our hotel for Seville for our May trip, now the Barcelona apt is the only accommodation left to book! This would be for DH, myself & our 2 adult kids for 4 nights.

Would appreciate all opinions since I am not familiar with the streets, noise factor etc. I would like something that's walking distance to most attractions but also close to public transportation since I am not one for long walks unfortunately! Though I have heard that it's easier/almost as cheap, to take a cab if needed especially since there are 4 of us. Would also prefer a balcony, not essential though.
Here are my choices:

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/.../view/casp.htm

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...ia-classic.htm

http://lovingapartments.com/Barcelon...d-2100-en.html

http://www.vrbo.com/454298?utm_sourc...BOOwnerInquiry

http://www.vrbo.com/1070008ha?utm_so...esownerinquiry

http://www.sweetdreamsbarcelona.com/...en&country=ESP

The first 3 are my top choices, thought they are more expensive. Casp seems to be short on seating in the living room but it would be nice to have the 3rd bedroom. Has anyone stayed there?
I like the 4th one too but it is an individual owner & the website charges the whole amount upfront though it says I get a full refund as long as I cancel 60 days prior. I am not too comfortable with that.
The last 2 are slightly less pricey. I have not heard of any experiences with the agency - Sweet Dreams Barcelona. Has anyone dealt with them? Same with LovingApartments.com

Sorry if the choices are too many! I feel like I have to be really sure of this since (except for one), the deposits are non-refundable. I'm not sure if it is still early but would rather do it now when most apts are still available. I know I can count on everyone here to help me make up my mind. Thanks!

danon

The first three are all in good location and very close to Metro.
I usually prefer higher floor.
You might ask Habitat for the exact address and google the street to see
the building, what is bellow the apt and around it.

excited_confused

Thanks for the very useful suggestion danon, I will send Habitat an email ASAP.
Anyone else care to provide some input??
Thanks.

kimhe

I would have chosen any of the first four. All are in the upscale Eixample district and close to everything, yet they are off the very hectic area in and immediately around central Passeig de Gracia. The first two are in the Dreta de l'Eixample (Eixapmple right) close to the wonderful predominantly residential area just north of the Ciutadella park and the Arc de Triomf. Many locals would hold this as the best area to live in central Barcelona. The other two are in the Esquerra de l'Eixample (Eixample left) close to the landmark university from 1450. Probably a bit more hectic area, more great restaurants and tapas bars on your doorstep (but also abundant in the first two apartments), for example my favourite lunch place in Barcelona, local feel, no fuss and affordable l'Aribau and excellent, traditional, family owned Ca l'Estevet.
l'Aribau: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ia.html#REVIEW
Ca l'Estevet: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html http://www.restaurantestevet.com/EST...ienvenida.html

The two last are also fine but 5) very close to hectic Passeig de Gracia and thoroughfare Avda. Diagonal, and 6) is right on Passeig de Gracia. Many would have chosen this to be the perfect location, but not if you want to be a bit off the absolute most hectic.

excited_confused

Thanks kimhe, for taking the time to look at all of them! I listed the apts in order of my preference so I will focus on the first four. The problem with the 3rd is that when I googled the address, I see a building that looks like it;s under construction or something, it is all covered & the street does not look very appealing. Given that we will have 2 twenty-somethings with us, I want the area to be safe but lively since I am sure they will be out later than us!
I really like the look of the interior of the 4th apt, but I am a little wary of renting from an owner & paying the whole amount upfront even though it says it is refundable up to 60 days prior. Does anyone have any experience/advice with that kind of thing?

kimhe

The third apt seem to be on the corner of Carrer Aribau and Diputacio, some 50 meters above my favourite lunch place in town mentioned above (which also is a good bet for breakfast and a late night drink). I can assure you that the area is safe and lively. Local feel and friendly with lots of quite up-scale cafés, bars, restaurants and clubs many blocks up Carrer Aribau from the Plaça Universitat. Here you find top restaurants such as Michelin star Cinc Sentits and local favourites such as La Flauta etc. etc.
Cinc Sentits (Five senses): http://cincsentits.com/
La Flauta: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...Catalonia.html

kimhe

A little more about Carrer Aribau. Apt n. 3 is some 100 meters up the steet from the firts picture taken from Plaça Universitat: http://suitelife.com/2011/02/28/arib...treet-profile/

Cowboy1968

#3 would be my winner, too.
No worries about safety - this area is lively (but not "hectic") all day and all night.
Tons of restaurants from upscale to basic eateries and easy access to the old town and Universitat metro. kimhe probably already has wetted your appetite

As a backup solution, I wouldn't throw out the last one too soon. At night, Passeig de Gracia is not really busy or loud. Most "action" goes on during the day, as it is one of the city's major shopping streets (mostly upscale and mid-range brands, e.g. Gucci to Hilfiger). As it is a very wide boulevard, traffic (or people) noise does not become trapped as in narrower streets.

excited_confused

Hi, thanks all for the replies. I appreciate the input and the effort, I know it takes time to go through them.
The issue with the 5th one is that they are all supposedly identical apts from Floor 3 up & the agency cannot tell me which floor we will get. Not sure if this is a problem but I don't like not knowing exactly what we are getting!
So I guess we are back to the first 3, has anyone dealt with Loving Barcelona Apartments.com?
Thanks!

backpack_dog

And if you want to make a short scape from Barcelona: https://www.airbnb.es/rooms/1008235

excited_confused

OK, so should I go ahead with the Universitat apt? Does it seem like the best option of the first 3?
I did see a review for Loving Barcelona on Tripadvisor & they have been very prompt with their email replies. They are also offering a 5% discount for early booking as is Habitat so the price for all 3 is almost identical. #3 does not have a dishwasher but the first two do not have air con in the 2nd/3rd BR. The square footage for Lauria is less but the living room furniture in Casp seems rather sparse. I know I'm being nitpicky but just trying to list the pros & cons. Help me decide!!
DS was the only one in the family who cared to give an opinion. His vote was for Lauria Classic but I know that being smaller would not matter to him, however I do like my space!

danon

Since you are staying only 4 nights ( three days ).it is best you decide what is right for your family.
We can only comment on location( unless someone actually stayed in the apt.) - the rest is up to you.

BigRuss

That #3, on central Barcelona scale, is the equivalent of a single-story mansion. Seriously - 129 sqm is a HUGE apartment for that city (in Barceloneta, you're lucky to get 50 sqm for 3 BR). Location is pretty good too.

Book that SOB now.

kimhe

Lauria is great but it would be more tapas bars, restaurants and nightlife options close to n.3. Otherwise, I'm all with Danon.

excited_confused

Thanks, I concur with #3 but now I am rethinking staying in Barcelona for 4 nights. We may stay 3 nights in Barcelona and 3 nights in Madrid instead. If I do that however, I will have to settle on an apt other than #3 since that has a 4 night minimum. (always something!) Can book either one of the first two though.

Lauria is 70 m, is that not too small? And it's not in too quiet an area, right?

BigRuss

I'd stick with the four nights in Barcelona.

70 sqm is 739 sq feet. And Lauria is 2.5 blocks from Placa Catalunya, it's not like it's in the hinterlands.

crazyfamilyof4

Can I just say I am staying in el born in a 3bed apartment at 155euro a night and it is sensational!

Let me know if you want more info

excited_confused

Sure, please let me know.

kimhe

Medieval El Born with its narrow streets would of course also be an excellent option, great in itself and close to everything, the beach, the Ciutadella park, the Gothic quarter, Placa Catalunya, Passeig de Gracia, Las Ramblas with the Boquería market etc. etc. Excellent cafés, bars, restaurants, shops, nightlife all over. I use to stay in this area when in Barcelona: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Catalonia.html

excited_confused

Thanks Kimhe, waiting for apt details.
crazyfamilyof4. would appreciate it if you could send me the link to the apt, I will have to see if they do 3 night rentals. Also, does it have more than 1 bathroom?
Looks like you are having a great trip, I just read your TR. Enjoy!