It's well worth staying at Didier's apartment in Poblenou, an old industrial area (textiles and fishing) and once known as the Catalan Manchester for that reason and now full of fun shops, galleries, decent restaurants. The apartment is 2 minutes from a fabulous tradition market for all your foodie needs and opposite the front door Caracas coffee shop. The beach is 15 minutes away and Poblenou metro 10 minutes away.
Didier responded promptly to my enquires and his assistant sorted out our taxi to the airport, all useful if Spanish isn't your first language. The flat is clean, modern and open plan. If it's hot when you visit make sure you ask for clear instructions on how to work the air-con...being from London the control panel on the wall was alien to me!
Enjoy!