Bonavista Apartments - Pedrera

For a family of four with two young children, having this much space made a big difference. We usually avoid booking two hotel rooms, and this apartment covered our needs and then some. After a long flight and an hour waiting at customs, we were exhausted, but the balcony view cheered everyone up. It was stunning, so I'd try for a balcony unit if you can. The subway is right outside the building, and two city bus tour stops are nearby. There were a few small things that could be improved, but we were mostly there to sleep, and everything essential was provided. Victor was fantastic, quick to respond and helpful with our questions. I recommend it to families who need room to spread out beyond what a typical 200-square-foot hotel room offers.

The biggest snag was finding the place: Google Maps shows a different location, a building a few blocks away across the plaza. Apple's Maps has the right address. We used the nearby cafe Buenas Migas to navigate back throughout the trip. Once there, we found a safe area with easy access to the subway and other transit. The rooms were clean and roomy for four adults, and the pull-out bed was comfortable. The AC was a welcome help in the summer heat. Staff were friendly, and we could store luggage before check-in. Their presence was limited to office hours, though, so there was nobody to call for help after 3 p.m. The bathroom was clean and kept up, but the shower door's rubber seal wasn't attached, so water leaked out. We also noticed a few small cracks on the walls up near the ceiling.

We'd stay here again. The terrace views were pretty phenomenal, with Casa Milá across the street and La Sagrada Familia farther away. The terrace was child-friendly too, which was a big plus. Metro stop right downstairs and helpful staff. They'd left a few basics for the first night, like shampoo, dishwasher tablets and laundry detergent, which was really nice. 5/5.

Getting the key meant collecting it from another location, which was a hassle. Otherwise, the apartments are stylish, spacious and well furnished, in a prime Barcelona area close to major sights and public transport.