Wonderful location next to the Santa Catarina market. Bakery across the street, short walk to the cathedral square. Good restaurants nearby. Note that this is a shared space with 2 other bedrooms and a common area. This bedroom has an en suite bathroom. Good shower, no issues with hot water. All rooms had a solid lock, no worries about security of your belongings. We did not use the common areas, but everything looked to be well stocked for cooking, laundry, etc.
Noise levels are typical of a big city. Bring earplugs and eyeshades, as you'll need the windows open in warm weather. Good fan provided.
Victor is a model host, and the epitome of what Airbnb should be! Perfect communication leading up to the trip, met us promptly on arrival, and provided great tips on the area. He has a warm heart and great personality. 5/5 estrellas for Victor!
Negatives: this is an old building, and is reflected in the drains/sewage system. Notable levels of sewer gas after flushing toilets and showering. We're pretty tolerant travelers and understand that it's a function of the building. There aren't p-traps, as a Spanish friend told me. There's wear and tear, given the high turnover that the apartment sees, but this is Barcelona and you should be out all day, so no big deal. :)
This is not a negative, but note that this is 3rd floor unit (that's 4th for US folks). Stairs only, keep this in mind.
Airbnb doesn't let you give half stars, but I'd rate a solid 4.33 overall. I typically spend way too much time browsing Airbnb looking for a place. If you want to be in El Born, book Victor's place with confidence!