This is a nice apartment in a great location. Diana was a helpful and accommodating host.

We had a small problem when we arrived, as we couldn’t get access to the apartment for 30-40 minutes. This was really the only problem for our whole stay. The apartment is as described in the listing. It is simply decorated, and was spotlessly clean when we arrived. There is plenty of room for 3 or 4 people. There is a lift in the building, which was helpful for luggage. There are some steps at the main entrance, so it might be difficult for anyone with mobility problems.

The apartment has everything you need – ice tray, bottle opener, hair dryer etc. It was nice to find that Diana has left out a few supplies for us – detergent tablets for the washing machine and shower gel.

It is located on a busy street, though the mature trees create a barrier from traffic noise and views. We slept with the windows open at night, and the traffic noise was not enough to keep us awake.

The best thing about the apartment for me was the location. There are restaurants, a fruit shop, a pharmacy, a beauty salon, a bank with an ATM and the fantastic Forn La Farineta coffee shop very close by. We got fresh juice and bread from the coffee shop most mornings, and got coffees there after dinner on the nights that we ate in the apartment. These are real native communities, so don’t expect English menus. But everyone was very helpful and welcoming, and we got by with a little Spanish and lots of pointing and smiling. There is a petrol station about 2 minutes walk away with a small grocery shop, good for any late night requirements. There is a huge Carrefour supermarket about 5 minutes walk away, which has everything you could possibly need for your stay, and more.

It was a short 12 minutes walk down the hill to the Marie Cristina metro station. This made it easy to get around Barcelona. There is also a huge El Corte Ingles department store here, and a few more shops. We found a nice neighbourhood restaurant Bugia near this junction. I really enjoyed eating here. It was just a pity that their toilets were a bit stinky in Bugia.

If you are travelling with children, you can get the BusPlana to the PortaVentura theme park or water park from beside the Maria Cristina metro station. Here’s the current link for anyone who needs it http://www.busplana.com/new2013/uploads/215551fbfe8bca1.pdf Make sure to phone them (+34-977553680) on the day to confirm your return trip.

Diana was a great host, and sorted out a small issue with towels very quickly. She provided good advice on local travel options, and was easy to deal with.

I’d be happy to stay in this apartment if we go back to Barcelona, and I’m happy to recommend it to you too.