Barcelona apartment input, please
 

Looking for a nice place for 3 nights in late November. I have come upon these. The first 2 are located in Carrer Canuda 24 (Old town – Gothic Quarter).

http://barcelonastuff.com/Barcelona-5.html

http://barcelonastuff.com/Flor-6-Apartment.html

And these:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/590503

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1871329

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/744153 (I realize no view, and no windows)

Looking for input on location, primarily. Thanks~

And if you have a studio or 1 bedroom that you've rented and love, please feel free to share~

If you're looking for an apartment in Madrid, then you're going to have a lot of difficulty with these choices-- these are all in Barcelona!

Opps! I AM looking for Barcelona.

[I was also thinking about starting a thread for Madrid hotels. Thanks.]

{Thank you kind editor for fixing my thread title!}

Don't forget these properties now have to be licensed. The adverts must show the licence number. This is one reason why AirBnB is in trouble again most, but not all, of their listings do not have licences. I hope the other websites post licence numbers or they could be in the same boat.
http://www.thelocal.es/20140707/airb...gal-apartments
How to find if your property is legal:
Use this search engine. http://www14.gencat.cat/rtcwebguies/...sp?pst=1&lg=en

Thanks; I do know about the license. I just looked again to verify, and they all show # except the loft one, so that may need an email to get license #. And I have checked them out on the registry as well.

Glad you reminded me.
Emailed owner of #1871329 asking about license; the reply:

<i>Thank you for your interest in our apartment. We started the Airbnb experience since January 2014 and HUB licences are not assigned to our neighborhood (Ciutat Vella) since 2008. We are declaring our incomings from the rentals to the goverment (they are bank transfers from Airbnb to us) but we couldn't get the HUB for the touristic activity. It is a real shame.</i>

Don't know if this is true?? But will be removing this from list.

We had success with Barcelona Stuff and they run their business well. Dunno these apartments and I can't get a precise location from their website. We had one in their Portal del Angel building.

Thanks Russ. The location of the barcelonastuff apartments is: Carrer Canuda 24 (Old town – Gothic Quarter) The website didn't provide much info; so I emailed them and they gave me this info.

I am glad it was removed from the list. One never knows it there will be trouble head or not. Maybe the whole thing will die down and it will be situation normal. But until then just keep look and asking for the licences numbers. BTW These have nothing to do with paying taxes it is all to do with standards.

ribeirascara,
Is there a similar site for Madrid?
Thanks

It's a good thing you don't need AC, I noticed one of them (I think the first Air B&B) says it had AC but you aren't allowed to use it at night, only during the day due to complaints from the neighbors! Night is the main time I want to use AC when it's hot, to sleep, and you are gone during the day anyway. Very weird.

IN any case, the one in the Gothic quarter is kind of far from a metro stop for my taste. It's sort of equidistant from pl Catalunya and Liceu, which means not really close to either, but not too bad I guess (probably about 5 blocks). That is a very small, narrow street dark, of course, lined with shops of all kinds (not necessarily good ones). I guess the other two aren't that different, both north of Diaganol, just one near Sagrada Familia, the other farther west. Those might be okay, I"m not that familiar with that area above Diagonal, I've stayed closer to placa Catalunya even when in Eixemple. But I think it would be a nice enough area and they aren't too far from metro stops, just not near where the action is, I guess.

I would never rent the last one, in the US, that would be illegal to even have a residence with no windows. All of these are pretty basic and stark, don't do much for me, but I think I like the one with some yellow best, but that's just taste. They are pretty cheap.

Last time I was there I rented this one
http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...rea=5&pagina=3

They seem to have a lot that are about the same price as the stuff you are finding and a lot more attractive (although the 1 BR I rented is about 120 euro per night in Nov, it seems). That first one you show under AirBnB looks real grim to me, for example. That particular building above has several apts in it for rent by a professional company that manages the building, so I think it is probably legal. It does show a license number. The location was excellent and near tons of restaurants and a nice area.

Two problems with Habitat: (1) their prices tend to be higher, (2) they often want cash deposits. The fact that you get the deposit back when you leave as long as you haven't had a pack of wild dogs running through the flat is irrelevant if you're going home from BCN (or out of the Eurozone) because you're stuck with Euros.

The Carrer Canuda flat is thisclose to where we stayed - the Carrer de la Flor (private street, can only get there through gated entry). It's a fine area close to Catalunya, Las Ramblas (if you must) and the Gothic 1/4. Can't really go wrong with that location unless it's noisy. The location is CLOSE to the Placa Catalunya stop (there's an exit on the edge of Las Ramblas) and Urquinaona. Book without fear.

We rented from Habitat 3 times. Had no problems.
Did not find the prices high.
Euros can be exchanged for any currency.

"That first one you show under AirBnB looks real GRIM to me, for example" How so?

We aren't heading home after BCN, so euros being returned isn't issue.

5 and 6 bstuff location looks good.
Before deciding I would ask for the exact address...then, you can google the street ( view) and get a better idea
of the area.

This one is nice looking, not sure about the area, seems good. No reviews, new property.

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...alconies-4.htm

And this one too:

http://www.oh-barcelona.com/en/barce...ren=0&babies=0

Danon,
There are presently no licensing laws for Madrid.But they are thinking about it. If and when changes like this occur I will post it.

We spent 8 weeks in Barcelona a few years ago near the Cathedral (not Sagrada Familia). We loved the Gothic area and were very happy we stayed there. I prefer it to Eixample (but not a huge dealbreaker)

Thanks, ribeirasacra

E. Granados
is one of my favorite streets in Bacelona. ( beautiful, treelined, elegant)
I love Eixample,( it is big , though) I don't like staying in Gothic, a personal preference .
For a first time visitor ,for only a few days, try to be as central as possible. - close to
Placa de Catalunya.

I agree with being as close to the Placa Catalunya as possible for a first visit.

And DESPITE the attempt to consdescend above, IMO if you do not do Las Ramblas at least once then you have not seen Barcelona.

All input MUCH appreciated. Will continue my search. Luckily, I have lots of time. Thanks~

<<Euros can be exchanged for any currency.>>

No? Really?

But can they be exchanged for a complete refund (like a temporary credit card hold and then removing said hold) when you have additional costs of taking out cash and then reconverting it back at the airport on the day you leave? No? Ok, then.

<<And DESPITE the attempt to consdescend above, IMO if you do not do Las Ramblas at least once then you have not seen Barcelona.>>

There was no attempt, it was actual condescension. Perhaps our Barcelonan cabbie was the real snob when he told us on the way in that we wouldn't see any real Spaniards on La Ramblas.

And we walked the Ramblas multiple times. Placa Real, Placa Catalunya, Rambla del Mar and more are much nicer.

"But can they be exchanged for a complete refund (like a temporary credit card hold and then removing said hold) when you have additional costs of taking out cash and then reconverting it back at the airport on the day you leave? No? Ok, "

Not all travellers have to worry about a few dollars in " additional costs".

That first one you show under AirBnB looks real GRIM to me, for example" How so?>

It doesn't matter if it doesn't to you. Just looks very bare and cold, cheap furniture, industrial, sort of like a converted garage or basement, etc. I just like a warmer and cozier decor and ambience. IF you like it, doesn't matter what I think anyway.

I don't like Las Ramblas for some reasons, mainly the touts and the obnoxious ones making duck noises which they have been doing for years now. I've never been in any other city where they do that. But of course I would walk up and down it if visiting the city, but I wouldn't want to stay on it or even right near it probably. When I stay in a hotel, once I was in Hotel Jazz which was only a couple short blocks away from it, but at the top, not the middle, so close to the Eixemple area and placa Catalunya. I would eat by going the other direction (away from las Ramblas direction). It can get tiring just all the poeple around those stores, also. I would be very surprised if locals were hanging out on it, I sure don't hang out at the most congested tourist locations in my city, either.

2 new ones into the mix:

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...ew/pedrera.htm

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/...-balconies.htm

Thoughts?

Both upscale areas in Eixample., close to Gaudi attractions ( not Sagradsa Famili) fine shops
and restaurants.
Some posters said that the first one is a bit old an needed a redo. Not sure if it has been done.

Hi DebitNM, sounds like you're looking for a studio/1 BR but not sure what other amenities are important to you or your price range? Have a couple of apartment suggestions for you based on personal experience…the 2nd one is a bit offbeat in that we shared common areas with the apartment owners but it was an absolutely beautiful, newly renovated apartment, very reasonably priced, and the owners were 2 of the nicest people we have ever met.

1. In June friends of mine stayed in various units at Gaudi's Nest Apartments located a block from La Sagrada Familia in the L'Eixample district with gorgeous views of La Sagrada from the apartments and rooftop terrace. Very helpful apartment owner, Artur, who also runs a small cafe next door. Location is a bit outside the main city center but a block from the Sagrada Familia metro so easy to get around. Good reviews on Trip Advisor; my friends were very satisfied.
http://www.gaudisnest.com/?lang=en

2. For our recent 10 night stay in Barcelona, we stayed at a bed and breakfast - BarcelonaBB - in a brand new 3 room suite called the "White Room" (bedroom, small study, private bathroom) located inside the owners' private apartment 2 floors above the main B&B level. We had our own private living space but were invited to share their kitchen, living room, and dining room which worked out really well. The owners were very welcoming, engaging, but not obtrusive and very respectful of our privacy. My husband and I felt very comfortable sharing the space with them. Daily breakfast was served to us and the other guests on the main B&B level even though we also had the option of cooking our own in the apartment. The owners also rent private apartments located in other buildings - all listed on their website.

BarcelonaBB is located in the L'Eixample district at the corner of Carrer Mallorca and Carrer Girona, a very central, convenient location walkable to many of the major sites but also a block from the Verdeguer Metro. I had considered some rentals in Barri Gotic/Born but after seeing both areas was very glad I chose this section of L'Eixample - it had a nice neighborhood feel with food markets, wine shop, gym, etc within a block or 2 and several good local restaurants. Take a look at my Trip Advisor review (under the same internet name) and other reviews. I do realize sharing an apartment this way might not appeal to everyone but it worked very well for us thanks to the 2 lovely owners and we both agree it was one of our favorite rentals. We are planning to return next year.
http://www.barcelonabb.com

Any questions, let me know. Good luck with your search. We fell in love with Barcelona!

Just took at look at your apartment links and really like the ones near
C/Enric Granados which was also one of our favorite streets, and a convenient location. Always nice to have a balcony although not sure if you'd use it much in November? We really enjoyed the daily interaction with our apartment owners which enhanced our Barcelona experience but you may prefer your privacy. The Gaudi Apartments are not as upscale as some of the ones you are considering - my friends selected it mainly for the view/terrace but I think the C/Enric Granados location you are considering is a nicer area and more convenient. If you do choose Enric Granados you'll be close to our favorite restaurant, Etapes.

Thanks so much NomadLass! Still working on this! So hard to chose.

Deb - is this your first visit to Barcelona?

Yes.

Those are both nice apartments (I didn't look too closely at the details - i.e. stairs/elevator/AC/etc) but I still prefer the Gothic area for a first visit. Especially if you like markets - we were equidistant from La Boqueria and Santa Catarina markets - you don't have to be cooking in your apartment if you simply enjoy wandering around markets (which we do).

But - as I said before - it's all good! Here's a link to our Barcelona blog - you can see a lot of pics of the area we stayed in very near the Barcelona Cathedral.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...v/e_barcelona/

We had such a great time - thanks for reminding me!

Re the link above - that's only the first page of our Barcelona blog - navigate on the right hand side to the rest of it

Clicked on Elizabeth_S Barcelona blog and what a nice apartment she found in the Barri Gotic! And she's right, you are close to great markets (I went to both.)

Each area of the city has its charm so it is hard to decide where to stay. I struggled with that, too, but ended up very happy with my choice in Eixample. In the Barri Gotic/Born area you are in walking distance to many sites and you're in the heart of the historic area but it can be more crowded with cruise passengers among other tourists. Probably depends on the time of year (we were there in June/early July) so in Nov that may not be an issue.

If you decide to stay a little further out, it's helpful to be close to a metro station if you plan to use that as your primary transportation. We walked a lot but also used the metro and taxis.

NomadLass, Elizabeth's apt. was nice but did I missed the name? I don't think she mentioned the apartment's name and url. Hope she is reading this post.

That apartment is no longer on the rental market - I just posted the blog link for the pics of the Gothic area. It was a lovely apartment!

Here's a link to the agency for that apartment - Klaus has some lovely BCN apartments. I can't attest to the legality of the apartments although I recall he was very active in a Tourist Apartment Rental Association.

http://www.athome-barcelona.com/