Aparthotels in Barcelona

If you are looking at aparthotels in Barcelona, the first thing you should know is that the offer is wide and varied: right now there are 70 accommodations of this type available, with an average price of 260 euros per night and the cheapest from 124 euros. The average category is around 3.3 stars, so don't expect extreme luxuries, but rather functional spaces with a kitchen or kitchenette, which is exactly what sets an aparthotel apart from a conventional hotel. Among the examples you can find are Aparthotel Bertrán, Arago565, Senator Barcelona Apartments or Bonanova Suite, each one in a different area and with its own characteristics.

As for the areas, it is worth knowing what each one offers you before deciding. The Eixample, for example, is the most balanced option: you are close to everything, with good metro connections and a dense dining and shopping offer. There you will find aparthotels such as Arago565, which allow you to walk to the Sagrada Família or Passeig de Gràcia without needing to take transport. If you prefer a quieter, more residential atmosphere, the upper part of the city, such as Sant Gervasi or Bonanova, is ideal: less noise, more green spaces and a more local clientele. The Aparthotel Bertrán or Bonanova Suite are along those lines, and although you will have to travel a little further to go to the center, the metro leaves you there in less than twenty minutes. On the other hand, if you are looking for proximity to the sea or the business area, the district of Sant Martí or the Vila Olímpica offer more modern aparthotels, with views and seaside promenades, although prices tend to be somewhat higher and in summer demand rises quite a bit.

As for when they are better priced, the rule is clear: avoid July, August and the weeks of congresses such as the Mobile World Congress. The months from November to March, except for Christmas and New Year's Eve, are the cheapest, and also the weekends of January or February. If your trip is in high season, book at least six weeks in advance and compare rates between weekdays and holidays, because the difference can exceed 80 euros per night. To get around, the Prat airport has a train (R2 Nord) that leaves you in the center in about 25 minutes, and the A1 or A2 bus runs every five minutes. Once in the city, the metro is the best option, with lines that cover the entire urban area, and if you are going to use several journeys, buy the T-Casual card for ten trips, which is much more cost-effective than single tickets.

Before booking, check three specific things: whether the aparthotel has a 24-hour reception or only limited hours, because that affects arrival if your flight lands late; whether the price includes daily cleaning or only departure cleaning, since some charge for it separately; and whether the kitchen has a dishwasher and enough utensils, because not all aparthotels are equally equipped. It is also worth checking whether the accommodation is on a street with nighttime noise or near construction work, something that does not always appear in the photos. And a practical tip: if you are traveling in a group or with children, an aparthotel is worth it because you can cook and do laundry, but if you are only going to sleep and go out, a traditional hotel may be simpler for you.