Rambla Catalunya Residence Apartments

We picked this quiet, upscale apartment for an overnight stop while adjusting to a six-hour time difference, and there were plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby. Checkout could've gone more smoothly: there wasn't an obvious address in the apartment to give a cab, and Guest Services couldn't answer when I asked. I had to dig the receipt out of my suitcase.

The apartment was clean and in a perfect spot. But the website never mentioned that getting the keys meant a long drive, with the round trip taking at least an hour. At this price, these days, they could set up automatic entry with a password.

The location made it easy to get around, with shops nearby, a supermarket three minutes away, and McDonald's a five-minute walk. The main tourist sights were all within walking distance, from 2 to 30 minutes. We had a wonderful family stay. There are three bedrooms: one with a king bed and a lovely en-suite with a Japanese self-heating toilet, another king room with a sliding door to the living area, and a single room. There's a second bathroom between the king and single rooms. The kitchen was beautiful and clean, and the modern design, updated facilities, TVs, and balconies for each room were all great. The balcony views were lovely too.

Cosmopolitan sits right on Rambla, a block from Paseig De Gracia, so it's a convenient base in central Barcelona. The apartments are clean, nicely equipped, and available with one, two, or three bedrooms. I believe the biggest family units have three bedrooms, two toilets, and a living room. Their kitchens come with appliances and cooking utensils, plus there's a washer and dishwasher.