We will be spending about 5 nights the second week of October in Barcelona. Either the old or new section. I have been reading as many posts as I can and really haven't found any links to specific places. Have looked into a few places that had been recommended on another site and they are all booked. Any suggestions very welcomed. There are only 2 of us and we will be ending in Barcelona after a hiking trip on the coast. Only have a month before we leave so running short on time.

Also any advise on carring camera equipment and not getting it stolen. Just a camera on my chest and a lense on my shoulder.

Thanks in advance.

try
http://www.habitatapartments.com/

we used them twice.

this one is a bit more upscale
http://www.destinationbcn.com/

Thank you.
Danon was there a specific apartment that you rented that you liked?

And I had looked at destinationcn, beautiful apartments but a little to pricey for our trip.

We rented the Born 1 apartment from Habitat. We liked the neighborhood, had a good experience with Habitat, and the apartment worked just fine for us (my review in my trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-barcelona.cfm). We're renting from them again later this year.

Earlier this year we rented from Negre BCN in this apartment: http://negre.us/apartments/Valencia/21/ It was also a good choice, though we prefer being in the Ciutat Vella (old city). (my comments on that apartment are on trip advisor: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...Catalonia.html).

There are actually many apartment reviews embedded in folks' trip reports on this site.

we stayed in 2 bed. apt. in Born (Princes building)..hip part of Barcelona, many restaurants, and bars, close to the sea.
Two other times in Eixample ... more elegant, part of the city , Gaudi buildings.
Placa de Catalunya is the center of the city.

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...price&pagina=1

was the building we stayed in last spring. my favorite location in Eixample.

danon: I have that apartment earmarked for next summer!!! Can you tell me a little more about it
Why do you like this area the best over say Born or the old town?
Was it quiet at night?

susanne,
We stayed at the top floor facing the courtyard .
I prefer staying on higher floors ( apt. or hotels)
since there is always some noise in big cities.
A bakery is next door, and a supermarket 2 min away.
I like wide , leafy boulevards of Eixample, elegant buildings and shops, and being close to my favorite street Rambla de Catalunya ( not Ramblas).
It is easy to walk to Old Town and Born ( 15-20 minutes
)
Born is much more "hopping "at nigh , many here prefer that location.

at night...also closer to the beach.

Thanks danon, it sounds perfect and am so glad to hear of someone that stayed there.
One last question, did the apartment come with the basics in the kitchen, soap, salt....those kind of things?

I think there was a hand soap and toilet paper, but no food of any kind or dish soap.
e-mail Habitat, when you are ready, and ask.

How is transportation in these areas. Which is the best area to get to the airport from? And would you all suggest taking a taxi to the airport. After reading about all the pickpocketing I am thinking that riding the subway or train to the airport would be an opened invite to those pesky pickpocketer. We will have a suitcase and a backpack (ripe for the picken').

I will check all of your suggestions out and hopefully one of them will be available for this OCT.

thanks so much

Please, relax about pickpocket fear mongering and enjoy your stay.
There is a bus from the airport to Placa de Cataluya.
Taxi to the same area is about 25- 30 euros.
We take a taxi because it is easier not because we ever had a problem on Metro or trains .
When you book the apt., it will be easier to suggest transportation.
this may help:

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...transport.html

Thanks Danon,

I will post the apartment we decide on.

We also used habitatapartments and stayed in la pedrera http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...ew/pedrera.htm It was on rambla de catalunya. We loved the apartment and the location. I highly recommend this apartment.