Staying at Fernando's place was a nice experience. However, there were really good and not so good aspects about it:
On the one hand, Fernando is a great host, a lovely person you like to be welcomed by. Right at the beginning, we had a nice chat. His apartment is located in a pretty neighbourhood, right in the centre (you won’t walk longer than 20/30 min. to Casa Mila).
The apartment is well-equipped, spacious and stylish. Fernando has a great taste and even decorated his place with lovely Asian furniture.
On the other hand, we expected a quiet place, something like a silent oasis you wish to have after a long day as a tourist in a metropolis. In the evenings though, you could easily hear the neighbours talking (not shouting, only talking..). I guess this is a common thing in many of Barcelona’s houses that the walls are quite thin.
Besides, the shower didn’t work properly. The water pressure often was too low or we just didn’t get too much warm water. Fernando was so kind to immediately offer to replace the water tap, but this wouldn’t have changed the problem. I guess there has to be wider changes in the water system of the apartment or even house. Not a big deal, but sometimes – after a day in November – you wish to have a hot shower, especially when you spend your holidays.
To conclude: It was not a bad experience to stay there, not at all! Perhaps we just expected too much – after having read all these euphoric evaluations. I guess with a few changes the place could be just as perfect as we expected it to be.