Hi!
I'll be traveling to Madrid and Barcelona this fall, staying a week in each city, and would like to rent apartments rather than stay in hotels. There seem to be a lot (!) of companies out on the web offering apartments. Is there anybody out there with prior experience that can recommend some...or which ones to avoid? Thanks!

Vallejobear,
In Madrid, I've used the aparthotels of the Espahotels group, and they have all the conveniences of a hotel (daily maid service, room service, laundry, concierge, etc) plus handy kitchenette, but they're not inexpensive, cheaper by the month than by the week. Properties are located on the Gran Via, behind the Prado at Los Jeronimos, up in the northern business section near Azca (the Plaza Basilica, which I've used) and at the Plaza de Espana.
See these and more at
http://www.softguides.com/madrid_gui...partments.html

A Fodor friend just stayed at the Edificio Principe 11 near Plaza Santa Ana and the Puerta del Sol-perhaps she'll see this and give us her report.

Here is a good website. We rented from them in Spain two times already and each time the apartments were great.

http://www.vrbo.com/vrbo/esp.htm

Thanks Maribel and donnabee, the apartments on these websites look really nice - I'll check them out.

Maybe you can help with another question...I'm thinking of traveling between Madrid and Barcelona by train, but some of these threads hint that maybe flying is better (I checked the fares, and they seem pretty cheap). I thought the train might be more interesting with more scenery to look at etc. Are that standards of Spanish rail service comparable to, say, the Eurostar in other countries?

vallejobear,
When I can snag a cheap airfare on either the Iberia or Spanair shuttle or even Air Europa, I always fly rather than take the 6 1/2-7hr. Talgo. It's really a boring ride-very little of it goes along the coast. The high speed AVE won't be up and running all the way from Madrid to Bcn the end of 2004 (if then...)
The 1st class Talgo would be equivalent to the Eurostar. I choose 1st class for that long a ride because it's quieter, with fewer seats. But again, if you can find a low airfare, I strongly suggest that you fly. And I like the Spanair shuttle best (flew it last June), with good inflight service, a nice departure lounge area (next to the duty free shops in Madrid) and a better on time record, but go with what is the best deal.