Pillowapartments Barceloneta Vista

Firstly, I need to point out that this review would rate higher if it wasn’t for the scaffolding and netting. To explain, we booked this apartment primarily because the balcony is east facing and overlooking the marina. We were hugely disappointed on arrival (March 31st 2024) to find the entire front of the building clad in scaffolding and purple netting with heavily restricted views (through the netting). We immediately contacted the letting company and began a process of negotiating a reduction / refund or sourcing new accommodation. After wasting a few hours of our short break looking for alternative accommodation , we reluctantly agreed to a reduction on our original fee however the way in which this was handled by the letting company ( not the actual person with whom we were in contact) was poor - there was no apology whatsoever for renting out an apartment that essentially no longer had the balcony which was advertised. In one way we were lucky as we arrived on the Sunday of a bank holiday weekend so the builders didn’t return until Wednesday morning. When they did return , we had to keep the balcony doors and the curtains closed as the builders were working less than one metre from our living area. Otherwise , the apartment is in a superb location next to the Gothic Quarter. It overlooks the marina and all of its restaurants, is about 12 minutes walk from La Plaça de Catalunya, 10 minutes from Barconelata beach and 5 minutes from Estacio França train / metro station. The apartment isn’t quite as “fresh” looking as the Airbandb pics suggest but is clean and large with a high ceiling which makes it seem even more spacious. There were just a handful of clothes hangers so the wardrobe couldn’t be used properly and the kitchen had just two normal sized cups and one cereal bowl - €20 would solve this issue. The apartment is in an old building and the stairway areas and elevator look like they were installed and last painted about 100 years ago but this is actually very charming so this is not a complaint. The apartment is on the second floor (ground + 2) so the view of the marina is somewhat restricted by the lovely trees directly in front. In summary, we recommend this apartment but if booking in April / May 2024 and the balcony is important to you, we recommend that you check that the scaffolding has been removed before reserving.

My daughter and I stayed for 2 nights in July! A bit daunting when we read that we had to pick up keys from a different location ..... but it worked out brilliantly! We took a shuttle from the airport, first stop was Las Ramble hotel, from there the pick up location was 2 minutes away! Very helpful staff at Reception. (Didn’t read in booking that there was extra charges €20 euro for our stay - no problem as we saved on €€€ on transport cost as the location was excellent.) We could have walked to our apartment, but we jumped into a taxi costing €4.50. We were located diagonally opposite El Cap Barcelona on the waterfront near Barceloneta beach, the museum and world trade centre. First impressions were great! 2 keys to enter building, very secure, and a very quirky lift - we chose the stairs!!!! The apartment was true to pictures, first thing we did was to look out on the balcony- loved the hustle and bustle that awaited us! The French doors kept the noise out. We loved watching the world go by on the “Juliette” balcony! Stay here if you are only in Barcelona for a short time!! You are in a superb location with everything you need nearby!!! Picking up the keys at a different location seemed daunting, but it worked out brilliantly! The shuttle bus will drop you off at Las Rambla hotel, (make sure you tell them when you get on the bus or make the booking - that this is your stop) 2 minutes walk to reception. We didn’t read the bit that says there is an extra fee - it cost us €21 - not phased as we saved lots on transport costs. You could walk to apartment, we chose taxi €4.50. Location - diagonally opposite El Cap de Barcelona statue. 2 keys to open doors, as apartment is street level with cctv cameras - we felt secure, a quirky lift, we used the stairs. Apartment was as photos show! Clean and comfortable. The balcony was small, but you can watch the world go by. Double doors - keeps the traffic noise out. There are a few restaurants below the apartment and a milk bar/corner shop/grocery shop underneath. Even a little kiosk opposite. Open til late! Kitchen was a reasonable size, clean and had a big fridge, and a table for 4. Bathroom a little dated but the shower was amazing, bedroom was a little smaller than anticipated, the door had to be closed to get onto the right side of the bed! ( not a problem for us, but if you are a bit in the fussy side it could be annoying). Just a short stroll over the road to find lots of restaurants overlooking the water, street markets and you can stroll to the beach! We did this both nights we were there ! Turn left from the apartment and then 2nd left, ( after the amazing building that is the post office) you can walk to the basilica and the Roman wall. Here you can hop on the hop on hop off bus (green line). Turn right, past the police department towards the big statue of Christopher Columbus and you are at the start of Las Ramblas. Here you can pick up the hop on hop off bus (main line). There are small bars and restaurants, closed by day, but come to life after 5pm or so! In the alleyways behind the apartment that Are a must! Try and find the Venezuelan bar, they will rustle you up an cocktail - sit at the bar - and the girls will amaze you with their skills. As a mum with a 21year old daughter, we felt safe during our stay! The only negative was that the cleaning staff wanted to come into the apartment before the checkout time of 11am. ( on the website check out was 11am, upon check in said check out was 10am - a little confusing at the time, we were too tired to query this) They could have waited, we were ready, I did let them in and they started cleaning around us - they probably could have waited just 5 minutes more for us to leave! CHECK OUT TIME IS NOW 10AM - they have changed this on their website ( Wotif). Overall a great stay - yes i