We would appreciate ideas for what area to rent an apartment for 3 in Barcelona and any specific apartment suggestions--rental agents or particular apartment.

we rented from habitat in the area of Eixample.

www.habitatapartments.com/

the center of Barcelona is Placa de Catalunya

Please see this thread for more ideas:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-valencia.cfm

thanks! so helpful!

Look into the area known as the Born. Short walk from the Ramblas but much quieter with some small walking streets, great eateries including tapas bars.

Habitat Apartments has several there...the Princesa apartment being very nice. I felt the Born had a lot of character where other areas of Barcelona could have been any other city in europe.

"where other areas of Barcelona could have been any other city in europe."

Born has character... but not unlike old quarters in some other European cities. I am yet to see Gaudi and so much
modernist architecture in London, Rome or Paris.

We've stayed in this building at the edge of El Born, in a 4 bedroom when we traveled as a family of five. There are bigger 3 bedrooms there, too. Great location for getting around and just having fun:

http://tinyurl.com/4ov9ubj

thanks. please keep all suggestions coming. I am booking flights shortly and then, will focus on apartments.

We stayed in Habitat's Born 1 apartment. The apartment, while not posh, was great for us and we loved the location (on Calle Flassaders in El Born). We're going with a different agency and different neighborhood this year, but only to try something new, not because of any negatives with our experience last year.

Hi, here is a link to my review of the really nice apartment we had in El Born
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...Catalonia.html
and here is their website.

http://en.bcngotic.com/Inicial.aspx

If you read my review you will get a clear idea of the apartment (they have several in the building they own) and the location - a terrific pedestrian street in this really interesting and livley area.

Well, it depens on what are your interests in the city, if you wanna go shopping, or party, or visiting museeums, if you go with your family or friends, etc...

Maybe this link would help you to find out where to stay, as it describe some of the most popular neighborhoods in Barcelona and gives advice od where to stay...

Hope it helps!
http://www.desigbarcelona.com/blog/e...nes%2Ben%2BBCN

I am so thankful for all of your help! I will digest shortly.

http://www.vrbo.com/231722

this is where we are staying this summer...in born...fair price...great reviews...and the owner is super helpful!!!

VickyO-we seem to be honing in on BCNGotic. Noise not a problem? Seems lively, but fun, area.

danon is right, Argenteria can be very busy and noisy, there are some great tapas restaurants there, one being Taller de Tapas. However that area is an excellent location.

A very pleasant apartment in Calle Brosoli which leads off Argenteria is...

http://www.barcelonaflat.co.uk/apartment_two.htm

I stayed here a few years ago and note it is still only 100 euros a night. Really good value and the owners are English and very good to deal with. It was nice and clean, it had all we needed, the only downside is it is on the 3rd floor (or 4th if you are from the US) with no lift. But I didn't mind the exercise, burning off a few more patatas bravas and toning the thighs with it!

I'm returning to Barcelona in October, on a really tight budget (and I mean a really tight budget), so my friend and I have booked this apartment a little further north in the Barri Gotic, just along from the Place de Musica Catalunya for 80 euros a night (and we got a discount of 6 nights for the price of 5!)...

http://www.thebarcelonaflat.com/The_...t/Welcome.html

We're renting an apartment in Barcelona for 2 couples, 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. Includes washer and dryer. Has good reviews:
http://blackandwhitehome.com/

thoughts on this apartment: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp...111+min+SM0222

Yes, we rented this apartment:http://www.vrbo.com/239622.
Thanks for everyone's help!