Here are 10 tips on booking an apartment for a vacation in Barcelona, and also some general holiday advice which I would strongly recommend to anyone considering booking a short-term apartment let. In no particular order, here are my top ten tips for checking that your apartment will not disappoint:
1. Admire the photographs of your accommodation by all means, but also check the measurements of the rooms. Many pictures are taken with special lenses which appear to magnify the room, leading you to assume the space is larger than it really is.
2. Perhaps not the most important point, but check the neighbourhood. The different districts of Barcelona are very different from each other. Choose the Ciutat Vella for thriving city life, Barceloneta for a beach holiday and Eixample for a quieter, tranquil setting.
3. If you have children, seniors, or those with any kind of mobility problem, check that your accommodation has an elevator. Remember, many of the buildings here are 100-200 years old, and set very closely together. As a result, entranceways can often be quite narrow and up a flight of steps, and inside there may well be no elevator, so check this first. It’s too late to find this out when you get there.
4. If you are booking an apartment in Barcelona for the summer period, remember that it is almost always hot and humid. For this reason, and for your comfort, check that your accommodation has adequate air conditioning. If not, you are likely to be uncomfortable at night, and this could spoil your holiday.
5. Make sure you find out what the check in and checking out times are. Hotels usually have a fixed time for this, but apartments can vary quite a bit. Checkout times can often be 11 am, although if you have a late flight, facilities for storing your luggage can be arranged. Checking in times can vary from between 2 pm and 4 pm.
6. When booking online you’ll usually assume that all charges are included in the price, but make sure you find out about any additional charges, such as late checking in or checking out surcharges. Many people take advantage of the low-cost flights to Barcelona, but as these often arrive late at night, people can find themselves facing a
Related posts:
- Time For A Relaxing Vacation? Book A Holiday Apartment In Florence!
When you think of slow travel and relaxing living it is impossible for Italy not to come to mind. From the habit of always stopping for a coffee or the birth of the Slow Food movement the country, as a whole, embraces the spirit of a slow, relaxing style of... - Choosing The Right Barcelona Accommodation
Choosing the right Barcelona accommodation for your short-term vacation in Barcelona or business trip is not as straightforward as most people believe it to be. Most people automatically look for a hotel directory to find their accommodation, but there are several alternative options that might better suit your needs. Not... - Tips About Vacation Villas In Chianti, Tuscany
Travelers who enjoy wine, food, beautiful scenery and a relaxed pace will love Chianti. Not only is the region home to its namesake wine which is one of the most beloved and popular wines in the world, but it is also home to some of the most characteristic farmhouses and... - Ten of the Main Barcelona Attractions for Young Children
To name only ten of Barcelona’s attractions for families with young children would be to sell the city short, because it has much more than that. However, most families do not vacation in Barcelona, or even visit the city, long enough to visit much more than ten, so here are... - Holiday Apartments In Florence: The Best Choice For Your Vacation
Traveling to Italy and the beautiful city of Florence are on the “bucket list” of just about everyone. The natural beauty of the peninsula combined with its historical significance and the reverence for art, culture and food; make the appeal universal. You want to cherish your memories and photographs for... - Vacation Apartments In Florence: Save Your Money And Feel At Home
Florence is arguably one of, if not the, most beautiful cities in the world. It is on virtually everyone’s “places to see” list and the best way to see a city like Florence is like a local. It is a city best taken in slowly, the same way you would... - Hotels Cost 300% More Per Person Per Day Than Vacation Rentals: I’ll Prove It!
The verdict on the true cost of spending your vacation in a hotel versus staying in a vacation rental is in, and I have the proof. For a family on a vacation, a vacation rental provides great accommodations for far less money. I just had a very unique personal experience... - The Right Way To Start Your Vacation: An Hotel In The Centre Of Florence
If you are lucky enough to be traveling to Tuscany what is the best way to start your vacation there? In every way Florence is the heart of Tuscany. Historically, artistically, culturally and geographically the centre of beautiful Tuscany is the amazingly beautiful seat of the Medicis. When you are... - Vacation Rentals – Undiscovered Travel Retreats
Vacation time may be several months away, and you may be starting to think about where and what might be the perfect vacation this year – the beach, golf resort, SCUBA diving, skiing, maybe just sight seeing? And you think about places you have been – and the problems you... - Vacation Home Swaps – Are They Right For You?
Many people have discovered the option of the vacation rental of homes or condos as an interesting alternative to the conventional idea of renting a room or suite at a hotel, motel or resort. When you opt for a vacation rental, you frequently get more space than what you would... - The Difference Between Hotels, Vacation Homes and a Bed and Breakfast
When it is time to take the family on vacation, most of us think only about getting a hotel room. Sure, we might also consider a tent campground, a RV or travel trailer, and possibly even a beach condo, but how many of us realize that we have more choices... - Useful Tips For The Tuscany Lovers: Holiday Villas And Apartments
When you envision Tuscany you see ancient rows of cypress trees pointing skyward, olive groves and vineyards marking hillsides with row after row of abundant and prized fruit. The beauty of the area and its idyllically perfect landscapes have remained unchanged for hundreds of years. What the Renaissance painters so... - Love Blasts Off on Florida’s Space Coast Vacation
Those in search of a romantic celebration could opt for a weekend getaway to one of Florida’s oceanfront resorts or acclaimed bed and breakfasts. Or spend the day pampering yourself at one of the premier area spas such as La Bella Spa in Merritt Island, village Day Spa in Cocoa... - Purchase Another Vacation Rental? Why Not
Fellow Vacation Rental Owners: As a vacation home rental owner and operator of a vacation rentals by owner advertising website, I have been following the situation closely with regards to the recent sharp decline in both real estate prices (commercial and single family homes) and the stock market. Like a... - Florida Is A Fisherman’s Vacation Paradise
Florida is the one state in the United States that offers Sportsmen a crack at saltwater fishing in its backwaters without once making a wish for a more comfortable environment. Balmy, warm and breathtakingly beautiful the sunshine state is the perfect contender for a fishing vacation. A Florida fishing vacation...