Renting Apartments in Barcelona has become a very popular alternative to hotels rooms.
Here are a few reasons why apartments in Barcelona are a good idea including links to the short term rental agencies in Barcelona that BarcelonaYellow.com can recommend as reliable and trustworthy.
Top 6 reasons for renting an apartment in Barcelona instead of a hotel
1. Big Savings.If you are a group or a family, you get more value for money in an apartment Even for singles and couples the apartment prices are comparable to hotels and for families and groups of 4 or more or big families you really save money! Apartments are typically half the price of hotels – and you get more space and comforts for less money. In an apartment you only pay for accommodation, so you are not paying for many facilities that you might not use in a hotel like restaurants, gyms, rooms service, movies channels and more.
2. Own Kitchen.Savings and convenience. In an apartment you have a real kitchen, which means big savings on food, especially for groups and family. And the convenience of being able to cook your own home cooked breakfast just the way you like it. A big fridge (not a mini-bar fridge) where you can stock up with your own food, snacks and drinks. Having your own snacks and drinks is a big saving and so much more relaxed. There are many great places to eat out in Barcelona. But eating 3 meals a day in restaurants adds up and can be tiring and time wasting. Taking some meals in your own flats saves money and is less stressful. And you don’t have to dress up. Enjoy your pizza on the balcony in your pyjamas!
3. More Space.You generally get more space in an apartment, and more privacy. This is a really nice specially for a family. Staying in a hotel room as a family can be crowded and frustrating specially on a rainy day. An apartment means several bedrooms, sometimes more than 1 TV and a usually DVD players so you can keep the kids happy! Often there might be a terrace with sun beds. Some Barcelona short term rental apartments have communal pools too.
4. Comfort.Apartments in Barcelona are often better furnished than hotel rooms and better equipped. Most of the best rental agencies make sure that the apartments have modern TV’s, full range of kitchen equipment and other useful items to make your stay more pleasant.
5. Adventure. An apartment is just that bit more personal and authentic. You will be in a normal residential block with local neighbours. You can shop in local shops or the fantastic fresh food markets that are in all areas of Barcelona, so you will get a real feel for the city and the Barcelona way of life. Remember that your neighbours are not on holiday, so don’t disturb them at night. In Barcelona and Spain respect for neighbours privacy is very important, and generally it is frowned upon to play loud music at home or have noisy late parties. So bring headphones and make sure you don’t party like it’s 2099 in the apartment. If you come back late at night be as quiet as possible.
6. Washing clothes. Apartments have washing machines and dryers, so you can take clean clothers home with you and wash during your stay. All good apartments will have washer, dryer and ironing facilities.
6 things to consider when renting apartments in Barcelona
1. Late arrival times.If you arrive after the shops are closed. then you will not have any food in the apartment until the next day, so try and arrange flights at reasonably normal times. Most shops close for the say between 19.00 and 20.00. There are often local grocers who stay open til midnight or longer. Big supermarkets stay open until 22.00 and there is a chain of 7 eleven style supermarkets shops called Open-Cor, which are also open late.
2. Parking.Top hotels often have parking on-site, but it is not free. However if you are arriving by car, then Barcelona has many public parking places all over the city, so you can usually find a parking lot close to apartments. But remember to ask the agency. They will be able to help you. Parking is usually about 25-30 euros a day at public parking lots.
3. Deposit. Make sure you deal with a reputable rental agency, so that you are sure that you get your deposit back. Be sure the treat the apartment with care and you will have no problems getting your deposit back. If you break something, then it is deducted from the deposit. If you see anything that looks broken or about to break, then be sure to make a note of it when you are with the owner or agent when you take over the apartment. If something is broken, then tell the agency sooner rather than later.
4. Length of stay. You usually have to stay in apartments for a minimum of 2-3 nights. If you only want one night then you will need to book a hotel room in Barcelona.
5. No reception. In a hotel, help is at hand at the reception. When you are in an apartment, you are more isolated. The apartment agency will be able to help in an emergency, but when it comes to sightseeing, finding your way around you will have to do this yourself. So apartments are probably perhaps not always for first time travellers.
6. Choice of rental agency. Like everything else in life, you can be very unlucky and be cheated. There are many apartment agencies in Barcelona and of course a few might not live up to their claims. We suggest you use agencies that are listing on websites like BarcelonaYellow.com which have been checked and approved by us as reputable apartment rental agencies in Barcelona.
