First the positives: This apartment wasn't actually available, but Silvia offered a larger one in the same building to us for the same price. Very nice considering we didn't have a lot time left until our arrival. The location is absolutely perfect! Everything you need from cafes, bakeries, bars, markets is just steps away and the metro just a few blocks down the street. Lots of families and safe feeling. The apartment itself had all the basic necessities, a large kitchen and quiet bedrooms in back away from the street. Silvia herself was very nice and very responsive with her communications. The apartment is an ideal spot for a visiting family or anyone wanting to live la vida Barcelona.

The negatives: The flat is on the "segundo" piso which meant caring our luggage up 4 flights of stairs. The checkin guy seeing my wife and I struggle didn't even bother to ask if we could use a hand. At the time of our renting the apartment (late Sept 2014) the flat felt very impersonal with little character. Other than a few little plants and one poster in the living room there wasn't much else in terms of style or decorations. Perhaps a work still progress. Lastly, apparently due to the very heavy rain that accrued for a couple days during our stay and it apparently caused a foul sewer gas smell to randomly seep up in the bathrooms. It would last for a few hours then go away. I don't know if that was a city/neighborhood problem or just this building, but it's one of the unfortunate things that happened to us. Other than lighting incenses and opening a window there wasn't much more that could be done.