We stayed 7 nights at Nicolas' apartment in September. The place is close to most things you would want to do in Barcelona, la Ramblas, Catalonia square, magic fountain and Montjuic castle wax. Plenty of green grocery and supermarkets, bars and restaurants nearby. We found Le Bella Napoli absolutely amazing, though it is Italian :)
Apartment was clean and as per photos. I think previous guests smoked indoors, with/out Nicola's permission. I could smell it but after airing it, it pretty much went away. As a non smoker, I must have picked it up.
Nicolas kindly had left us a bottle of Spanish red which we definitely appreciated and he was also kind to call us a cab to the station on our departure day.