AinB Sagrada Familia

AinB apartments based in Barcelona, has been the worst accommodation which we have experienced as a family, ever! The apartment is listed as a 4 star accommodation and presents itself as a modern apartment with a rating of 9.2 on many websites, but trust me it’s more like 1!! Upon viewing the apartment on Expedia website, we booked the apartment all on the credentials and reputation of Expedia, as one expects Expedia to have carried out some due-diligence/vetting upon the hotels/ accommodations which they advertise on their webpage. We arrived at Barcelona at 10.44pm and unfortunately we initially could not find the apartment, as the apartment was not easily locatable. After eventually locating the apartment, we noted that there was no reception area or any person there to greet new customers. Upon getting entry to our apartment, we immediately noted that the apartment smelt of a strong odour of smoke. The fusty, malodorous, putrid, and rank smell was difficult to ignore and it was evident that the apartment was not smoke free. The windows had to be opened, but it was evident that the apartment was clearly a smokers apparemt and was not as described. We then noted the sofa bed, which was described on the webpage as a “double bed sofa ” however it was evident that this sofa bed was not even a single. It was more like a cot size. The utensils were dirty in the kitchen and the bed sheets were also dirty and clearly had not been cleaned. There was only one bed sheet between the bed and the mattress and the toilets were not clean and still had sign of usage in the toilet. We immediately contacted the person whom we spoke to via WhatsApp as there is no other means of contacting anyone, however we got no reply apart from a out of office message. Not very professional. I tried to book an alternative hotel immediately upon arrival but at 11.00pm it was difficult to find an alternative accommodation. Not only that the Police were called to the area as a fight broke out side our apartment. Due to my young family we had no choice but to sleep and stay at the apartment. Fortunately my wife brought her steamer, which we used to clean and cleanse the bedsheets, as it was evident that the beds were simply not clean. My son, who is 13 years if age and is nearly 5.foot 10 inches , could not sleep in the so called sofa bed and we were required to place my son with me in the 2 single beds, and my wife and my 2 daughters in the queen size bed. Upon waking up we all were suffering with sore throats and breathing difficulties Upon waking up I decided to visit a few hotels in the vicinity as I was eager to get my family out of the apartment, my families health was far more important. During my exit from the apartment we noticed that there was a telephone situated in the hallway entrance of the building, I spoke to a lady (who carried out check ins for AinB remotely) whom fully understood the problems with the room and explained that the manager, who works from 11am would only be able to help. I asked for a name of the manager, but she was reluctant to provide it, I could tell that the person was afraid to disclose any information and was apologetic about the smell from the room and the bed size, it was evident that this was not the first time such a complaint had been raised, she accepted that the sofa bed was not a double bed nor was it a single, however she explained that all the rooms were the same and there was no room within the accommodation which would be suitable for my family. I eventually got a message from the manager on Whatsapp, I did not have the courtesy of a phone call nor any confirmation of whether I was speaking to an official representative. The manager was rude and simply put unable to help! I would avoid!

This was probably the 2nd worst stay experience we have had. The check in was difficult as we had to pay local tax before we could get access. The rooms were stuffy and with no ability to adjust the aircon made it worse.. It look like the aircon was not working. The balcony access door was locked so no airflow. The crockery was chipped, 2 mugs out of 5 and breakfast bowls chipped. The kitchen blind was down all the way and not adjustable. No guest amenities …tea or coffee or milk. The kitchen cupboard doors were broken . There was a smell from the bathroom drains. The worst was the cigarette lighter to ignite the gas on the stove. I burnt the hair off the back of my hand lighting the stove. On the positive side,the linen was clean.

You feel truly independent with an apartment available in the city. The staff provides you with everything you may need while still leaving plenty of privacy. There are several supermarkets and bars nearby. Quiet area near the Sagrada Familia and 10 minutes by taxi from the center (Ramblas) or Olympic port. Very polite staff.