Luis was very understanding when my flight was continually delayed because of the French air traffic controllers' strike and when I finally arrived he gave me a warm welcome. As well as showing me the apartment he took the time to answer my questions and give me some good advice on places nearby to eat and shop.

The apartment is perfectly sited, just a few minutes' walk from Passeig de Gracia Metro and Renfe stations and only a little further to Plaça Catalunya. It's a good size with a well-equipped kitchen and huge living area. The bedrooms do not have doors so that the flat is more like a large studio. The entrance to the apartment is through a communal hall shared with occupants of two other rooms that Luis also has. There was a little noise from them as they came and went, but aside from that and some noisy plumbing (I guess probably not unusual for old buildings like this) the place was extremely quiet. It faces a large internal courtyard at the back of the building so there's no road noise at all.

We enjoyed staying in such a lovely old building. The big size of the apartment was a luxury and very good value compared to the space the same money would have bought in a hotel. Although very close to tourist areas the feeling is more like living among local Barcelona people and a welcome relief away from the tourist crush.