First of all, let me say that Cesc and Elisabet are two of the nicest people on Airbnb. I felt very welcomed from the moment Cesc found me on the street to the moment he left the apartment after showing me around and prepping the second bedroom and heaters.
When the cleaning lady showed up a week early, I wrote Elisabet and she had already been apprised of the situation. Even though I know her and Cesc work and have children, she was super fast to write me back and let me know she had already spoken to the cleaning lady.
The PROS:
-This is a dream neighborhood. It’s just a few blocks to the hospital San Pau or the Sagrada Familia. Everything—and I mean EVERYTHING—that you could ever need is close by, from a laundromat to a variety store to a luggage store to amazing sweets shops, bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores. 10 stars for the location!
-Two separate bedrooms were as advertised with a double bed (two singles pushed together) in one and a single bed in the other.
-A balcony which would be wonderful in warmer weather. We liked standing outside and watching the action below.
-Amazing curated neighborhood and flat guide/house manual that explains everything and even has space for guests to write wonderful suggestions.
-Fast communication
-Easy check in.
-Kitchen if you want to cook at home.
-A (very tiny) lift
-An iron, a drying rack if you wash clothes (we did not), kitchen accoutrements are all provided.
-Quiet building with respectful neighbors.
As with any place, there are ups and downs that I would be remiss to not mention. If I had known about these things, I could have made a better decision about staying here with an elderly aunt and health issues. The CONS:
-There is a strong smell of trash in the hall when you first walk up the stairs which I think comes from the age of the building.
-Just a few small things in the house manual were not provided, such as washing detergent.
-If the temperature is very cold, the portable heaters work hard to keep it warm, but it can be cold in the hall and common areas.
-As some reviewers have mentioned, the pictures of the apartment are quite flattering. It looks large, light, and spacious when in reality it’s a little tight and dark. I imagine that in the summer the light would not be an issue because it’s bright outside. On a rainy day in the evening in late fall it was quite dark with only the street-facing window and rear bedroom window letting in light.
-The bathroom is small, even by Spanish standards. It’s the smallest bathroom I’ve ever had in an Airbnb in Europe. The tub can be a challenge for older people to get into and climb out of. This is not an apartment for the mobility challenged.
-The shower curtain was mildewed and hadn’t been changed. There was black mold on the bottom of the soap dish, a corner of the tub, and on the shower head. Being extremely sensitive to mold, this was concerning to me.
I never mentioned them to Elisabet because 1. we were hardly ever home and in fact traveled for two nights out of town, and 2. They state very clearly that they work and have children, and I didn’t get the sense that much could be done while we were there.
***That said, none of these things, if taken care of, should deter you from staying here. You need to weigh the pros and cons with the fact that you will have a true neighborhood experience in an apartment with lots of character and you’ll most likely not be home anyway. This apartment would be a great place to stay in the summer because it has air con. And again, Elisabet and Cesc are top notch. I hope these suggestions help them and you, dear reader. Happy travels!