Have you rented a QUIET apartment in Barcelona or Rome? I have rented in Paris and was quiet happy so I want to give it a go.

Any suggestions on areas? Most of the apartments I have found in Barcelona are near the Picasso Museum or the Gothic area. I am concerned about my ability to sleep!
A more residential and less party area might work for us.
Is the area near the Vatican too inconvenient in Rome?

If you had a good/bad experience with an agency, please advise.
Recommendations on particular apartments would be great.
Many thanks.
(These will be 4 day rentals).

Hi, we had apartment #50 from this family owned company:
http://www.bcngotic.com
Lovely location, and we had a roof top terrace. Very spacious aprtments, in excellent condition, run by a family who took pride in the building (they own all the apartments in the building) - I recommend them. Please feel free to aks more questions if I can help. A very convenient location, about 2 minutes from metro station, and walkign distance to main sights.

I forgot to say, the apartment has a stunning view of Santa Maria de la Mer from the window - looks wonderful illuminated at night. This is the cathedral written about in the novel The Cathedral by the Sea.

VickyO -- I have another thread asking about BCNgotic, so am very glad to read your review. Did your apt have a terrace? thanks!

This highly regarded agency has 3 apts in the same building on what has to be the most charming street in Rome (in the Renaissance area of Rome, many of the buildings on the street – Via Giulia – were designed by Michelangelo).

We didn't stay in these particular apartments, but were on this same street through a different agency (that no longer has their Via Giulia apt.)

It is a few minutes walk to Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Vatican, Campo dei Fiori, Trastevere, and just about anywhere else you would want to be.

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-giu...id_appartam=81

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-giu...id_appartam=82

http://www.sleepinitaly.com/info-giu...d_appartam=157

As a result, these are VERY popular apartments. Book ASAP - 9 months out is not too early.

In Rome, Campo dei Fiori, Paizza Navona, and Pantheon are all good areas but Via Giulia is the crown jewel.

Oh, and Via Giulia is traffic free unless one lives on it - so it is very quiet.

Check out www.slowtrav.com as well...they have lots of apartment reviews.

in Barcelona , take a look at

http://www.habitatapartments.com

a higher floor is always better.

"view of Santa Maria de la Mer from the window - looks wonderful illuminated at night. "

this must be on the busiest street in Barcelona.
Is it really quiet?

Fodorites really don't like posters who try to sneak in free ads. Not a good way to drum up business.

We have stayed in this building. Front rooms can be noisy at night but otherwise OK. The rooftop place should be quiet - I've seen it - since it is on the fifth European floor and is set back from the edge of the building.

Agree with VickyO on the location; makes it easy to get around and there's plenty nearby.

Ron
www.likelivingthere.com (an agency)

Is this signoff OK?

Have stayed here for the last two years. Great area of Barcelona (Born District) and very quiet street.

http://www.habitatapartments.com/en/.../princesa3.htm

Also, staying in this location in Rome this June, so can't review it yet, but it gets good reviews on slow travel.
http://www.residenzagiubbonari.com/home.html

>>>Ron
www.likelivingthere.com (an agency)
Is this signoff OK?<<<

No, advertising is not allowed.

Actually, that's kind of funny 'cause my post from yesterday was in response to some j^&k who pulled up at least half a dozen Barcelona apartment threads and posted ads on them. I sent an e-mail to the editors. They pulled all the ads but the threads remained "up".

Okay, I didn't do that very well. What I should have said is that my post remained, looking like it was apropos of nothing and garnering further responses (and another ad!) on a very old thread. Which is what I get for butting in!

And just what are the posts from danon that constantly refer to habitat?

Huge difference. Danon has been on Fodors for 2 1/2 years and is a regular poster. Nothing to gain, only giving information.

www.apartmentinbarcelona.net

We stayed in one of their apartments between the city centre and the beach (though, i don´t remember the name... i think it was one of these Barceloneta Beach ones) which was pretty good.
We may go back this summer for few days, but still deciding.
Hope it was helpful!