Barcelona apartment location input please
Nov 12th, 2011, 07:24 PM
#21
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In case this thread comes up in a search, I'll write my comments about our stay at this Ninot Apt last month.
This 3BR/2BA apartment is very spacious and nicely decorated. I later found out that the owners are diplomats who had just bought & decorated this apt for themselves before they were shipped off to the embassy in Siberia. As a result, all the furniture and appliances are top-grade instead of your typical rental apt stocked with IKEA. The apartment looks exactly as shown on the photos.
The kitchen is well-equipped with full-sized refrigerator, 4 burners (2 gas, 2 electric), a super-fancy coffee machine (takes whole beans), oven, microwave, and dishwasher. It also has a regular drip coffee machine.
There is a washing machine in the apartment but no dryer. There are both indoors and outdoors clothes line for hanging washed clothes.
The master bedroom w/ensuite bath has a king bed and very comfortable. The room w/2 twin beds is a bit small and claustrophobic. The other room with a single bed is more spacious. The second bathroom is a bit small.
The building itself is quite nice. Elevator is small but works the entire time we were there (the apt is on the 7th floor). The surrounding is all residential except for the market & hosptial complex. At night there is no noise from streets below or neighbors; perfect for a good night's sleep.
The only 2 hiccups we had were: 1) despite I had arranged to have the rent paid by CC, I found out it wasn't done and I had to pay full in cash on arrival, and 2) the thermostat for hot water in the showers was set too low so it felt a bit chilly in the shower.
Neighborhood-wise:
1) Transport
The closest metro stop is Hospital Clinic (L5), about 5 minutes walk. The next closest stop is Urgell (L1), a 10-min walk.
As we found out there are lots of stairs at metro stations, and lots of walking involved everytime we have to change lines, I figured out the bus lines near the apt and we used the buses A LOT. All the bus stops are less than 1 block from the apartment.
Lines #43 & 44 run E-W on Calle Mallorca (E-bound) and on Calle Valencia (W-bound). Bus #44 W-bound goes directly to Sants Station.
Lines #14 & 59 run N-S on Calle Casanova (N-bound) and on Calle Villarroel (S-bound). Both buses go thru Universitat and then Placa Catalunya and along La Rambla all the way to Barceloneta. We found these 2 buses very convenient.
On foot, it is about 15 minutes walk to Passeig de Gracia where Casa Mila is.
2) Markets:
Unfortunately, the Ninot Market is under restoration and is closed. A temporary, smaller market is set up 1 block north along Calle Casanova. We went several times after 6pm - although the market is open until 8:30, we found majority of the stalls are closed by 6pm. Also on Casanova are 2 small supermarkets with okay selection for staples. A much bigger supermarket is on Calle Mallorca 2 blocks East; it has fish dept, deli/cheese dept, meat dept etc. We find grocery to be very cheap in Spain; most dinners we prepared at the apt were no more than €10 feeding 4 adults.
Hope this helps.
This 3BR/2BA apartment is very spacious and nicely decorated. I later found out that the owners are diplomats who had just bought & decorated this apt for themselves before they were shipped off to the embassy in Siberia. As a result, all the furniture and appliances are top-grade instead of your typical rental apt stocked with IKEA. The apartment looks exactly as shown on the photos.
The kitchen is well-equipped with full-sized refrigerator, 4 burners (2 gas, 2 electric), a super-fancy coffee machine (takes whole beans), oven, microwave, and dishwasher. It also has a regular drip coffee machine.
There is a washing machine in the apartment but no dryer. There are both indoors and outdoors clothes line for hanging washed clothes.
The master bedroom w/ensuite bath has a king bed and very comfortable. The room w/2 twin beds is a bit small and claustrophobic. The other room with a single bed is more spacious. The second bathroom is a bit small.
The building itself is quite nice. Elevator is small but works the entire time we were there (the apt is on the 7th floor). The surrounding is all residential except for the market & hosptial complex. At night there is no noise from streets below or neighbors; perfect for a good night's sleep.
The only 2 hiccups we had were: 1) despite I had arranged to have the rent paid by CC, I found out it wasn't done and I had to pay full in cash on arrival, and 2) the thermostat for hot water in the showers was set too low so it felt a bit chilly in the shower.
Neighborhood-wise:
1) Transport
The closest metro stop is Hospital Clinic (L5), about 5 minutes walk. The next closest stop is Urgell (L1), a 10-min walk.
As we found out there are lots of stairs at metro stations, and lots of walking involved everytime we have to change lines, I figured out the bus lines near the apt and we used the buses A LOT. All the bus stops are less than 1 block from the apartment.
Lines #43 & 44 run E-W on Calle Mallorca (E-bound) and on Calle Valencia (W-bound). Bus #44 W-bound goes directly to Sants Station.
Lines #14 & 59 run N-S on Calle Casanova (N-bound) and on Calle Villarroel (S-bound). Both buses go thru Universitat and then Placa Catalunya and along La Rambla all the way to Barceloneta. We found these 2 buses very convenient.
On foot, it is about 15 minutes walk to Passeig de Gracia where Casa Mila is.
2) Markets:
Unfortunately, the Ninot Market is under restoration and is closed. A temporary, smaller market is set up 1 block north along Calle Casanova. We went several times after 6pm - although the market is open until 8:30, we found majority of the stalls are closed by 6pm. Also on Casanova are 2 small supermarkets with okay selection for staples. A much bigger supermarket is on Calle Mallorca 2 blocks East; it has fish dept, deli/cheese dept, meat dept etc. We find grocery to be very cheap in Spain; most dinners we prepared at the apt were no more than €10 feeding 4 adults.
Hope this helps.
Nov 13th, 2011, 04:49 AM
#22
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The apartment sounds quite good. Was the shower completely cold or just barely warm? I have not heard back from Habitat yet about this.
Any good restaurants close by that you could suggest?
Thanks so much for all your help
Any good restaurants close by that you could suggest?
Thanks so much for all your help
Nov 13th, 2011, 08:24 AM
#23
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Hi nancygol, the water was warm but not hot. We found the shower in the smaller bathroom warmer than the ensuite one.
The popular Cerveceria Catalana is several blocks east at 236 Calle Mallorca (at Balmes), just before hitting Passeig de Garcia. It's a favorite among Fodorites but we didn't have a chance to eat there.
Will post my trip report later this afternoon. I hope you'll have a good trip!
P.S. I have left 2 Ruta del Modernisme voucher booklets in the apartment (beneath the red info binder in the dining room). Not sure if they're still there but if they are, you're welcome to use the coupons for area attractions!
The popular Cerveceria Catalana is several blocks east at 236 Calle Mallorca (at Balmes), just before hitting Passeig de Garcia. It's a favorite among Fodorites but we didn't have a chance to eat there.
Will post my trip report later this afternoon. I hope you'll have a good trip!
P.S. I have left 2 Ruta del Modernisme voucher booklets in the apartment (beneath the red info binder in the dining room). Not sure if they're still there but if they are, you're welcome to use the coupons for area attractions!
Nov 13th, 2011, 12:04 PM
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Thanks for posting back on the apt.
Nancy: One reportedly good (not inexpensive) restaurant nearby is Taverna del Clinic. I did not have time to eat there, however:
http://www.latavernadelclinic.com/2/tabernaE.html
http://www.latavernadelclinic.com/2/ComhivaigE.html
Nancy: One reportedly good (not inexpensive) restaurant nearby is Taverna del Clinic. I did not have time to eat there, however:
http://www.latavernadelclinic.com/2/tabernaE.html
http://www.latavernadelclinic.com/2/ComhivaigE.html
