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Barcelona Apartment with 3 Bedrooms in the city centre, for rent.
Questions and Answers Page
Section 1.
Questions about this Barcelona apartment in general, and TVs, Hi-Fi etc.
Section 2.
Questions about the location of this Barcelona apartment.
Section 3. Questions about towels, beds, linen etc of this apartment in Barcelona
Section 4.
Questions related to the kitchen and eating in this Barcelona holiday apartment. etc
Section 5.
Questions about booking, paying, keys, arrival and departure ; Barcelona holiday flat.
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Section 1. Questions about this Barcelona apartment in general, and TVs, Hi-Fi etc.
Is there a DVD player ?
Yes. Connected to the lounge TV, or can easily connect to either of the other 2 colour TVs, in the double bedroom or in bedroom 2.
Excellent picture and sound. ( "Zorro" with A.Hopkins and T.Banderas, "Full Monty" (award winner), "Emmanuelle").
Do the TVs have remote control, dual language facility,
stereo and text facilities ?
Yes.
Is there a radio and CD playing unit ?
Yes. 1 Hi-Fi with CD player.
Are there mirrors in the apartment ?
Yes. 7.
Is there a washing machine, drying lines
and clothes pegs ?
Yes.
Is there air conditioning ?.
Yes. Fujitsu Inverter, new 2006.
(with a remote control and functions like timer, stepped temperature sleep mode, fan speed etc ).
Is the water heating for the shower and taps of instant
type or does it heat up a water tank first ?
It is of the instant on-demand type, gas water heater. Shower is good
with lots of hot water.
Is normal use of gas, electricity and water included in the price ?
Yes.
Is there an electric hair dryer ?
Yes. (Braun 1400W)
Is there space for bicycles ?
Yes, had 2 in the hall. Could have more but then hall will become a bit
'busy' but useable. Not many stairs.
Can we bring non-standard or unusual things that the majority of tourists would not normally take on holiday ?
If you want to do or bring something not 100% 'standard' for a tourist arriving by plane with a suitcase, such as
items which are commercial, dirty, oily, or animals or living things !, please ask at the booking stage whether it is OK.
Is a steam iron and ironing board provided ?
Yes.
Are the apartment design/installation and facilities especially selected to avoid all risks for infants/children ?
No. There is no entry barrier to the kitchen and only a limited number of power socket blanking plugs etc.
And some items are currently at a low height such as the DVD player, the lounge TV.
(there is one moveable ladder for use with the elevated bed in the middle bedroom, if not needed then it stores up out of the way in the back bedroom. The ladder has no handrail, so not for use by people where that would be a risk).
Parents should carry out an inspection at or soon after arrival.
If you wanted me to buy a kitchen barrier then please let me know at the booking stage.
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Section 2.
Questions about the location of this Barcelona apartment.
Is the apartment close to the Rambla ?
Yes, only a few minutes flat walk to the famous "Ramblas" at Liceu which is in the
middle of the Rambla. There is another Rambla with cafe/restaurant/bar terraces even closer; and cheaper.
Are there live music venues nearby ?
Yes. Various. One good place (and cheap, free entry on most nights during the week) is only 400 metres away with live music every night (Cuban, swing, jazz, Rock/blues, Flamenco..), with Flamenco on at least 1 night a week. I can provide full details about them and advance details
of what bands will be on during your stay.
Is the apartment low down ?
Yes. But at a level to be well above the street. But not many stairs. not too high and not too low, just right !!.
(for the security of the apartment I don't want to give exact details on the web)
Is it a good neighbourhood for cafes and bars ?
Definitely yes !
The timeout web site (www.timeout.com)
gives their views of the good cafes, bars and restuarants in the
area and also in adjacent Barcelona neighbourhoods which are only a few
minutes walk, Gothico and El Borne. Listed bars from timeout like
Muebles Navarro is only 80 metres and El Almirall in the street Joaquim
Costa is only 300 metres, many many others; Buenas Migas, Doce Trece, Carmelitas, Lupino, ES, Mama Cafe, Reina del Raval,
Margarita Blue, Granja de Gava, Invisible, Imprevist, Benidorm, Marselle, IT Cafe, Tres Tombs......
Are there places nearby to eat at a good price ?
Yes, lots, a full variety from cheap, medium price and expensive. For styles from Catalunya, Majorca, Rioja, Aragon, Galicia, Indian (curry :-) ), Italian, Japanese, Ecuador, Ecological, Vegitarian, sea food, self service, etc
Is there a small shop nearby ?
Yes, for milk, wine, beer etc, open till about
22.00 or 23.00.
Are there internet places nearby ?
Yes, lots, many bars/cafes have free wi-fi and there are many internet 'shops' close to this Barcelona apartment which charge 0.5 Euros for 30 minutes.
Is it possible to park a car ?
Yes, there is a pay car park 100 metres from the apartment, with cameras and security, open 24 hours/day. Approx. 50 Euros for 3 days of 24 hours, or approx. 70 Euros for 5 days. In August it is normal that the pay machines in the streets are closed with metal hood. In big avenues it is normally free in the hours when the shops are closed.
There are streets with no meters , I suggest 2 places approximately 4km away, you can leave your car(s) there and then get a taxi or metro back to the apartment. (security, if you leave a bag visible in a car in a street then there is very high risk that a window will be broken and the bag stolen, but if the car is empty and "visibly 100% empty" (not even 1 CD) then the risk of theft of the car or risk that a window will be broken is small).
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Section 3. Questions about towels, beds, linen of this apartment in Barcelona
Are the mattresses in good condition ?
Yes.
Are there beds for at least 6 people ?
Yes, see here for details.
Is there a 2nd TV in the double bedroom ?
Yes. Philips TV, stereo, colour, with FM radio, alarm, remote control. Connected to the building/community antenna and have a good picture and sound (digital system).
Is there a DVD player + screen in the 2nd bedroom ...to watch DVDs ?
Yes.
Does each room have a wardrobe with shelves and with
hanging space for shirts/jackets ?
Yes. A very large 4 door wardrobe in the double room and 1 standard
wardrobe in each of the other 2 bedrooms (new). And a 3 drawer chest of drawers in bedroom 3 (new).
Is there an infant/baby cot (bed) ?
Yes.
Are any of the mattresses of the standard Spanish length of only 180cm ?
No.
(there had to be a "no" at some time !! ;-) ! )
All are the longer 190cm types. (many places use 180cm mattresses
but these are not long enough for many tourists who are often taller
than the Spanish average). The elevated bed in bedroom 3 has a 2.15 metre mattress length, includes foam support for feet for 25cm to provide the extra length.
Are all of the bed mattresses of spring construction ?
Yes.
What size and make is the double mattress ?
It is wider than normal at 150cm wide, standard is 135cm in Spain; 190cm long; from
Spanish manufacturer 'Relax'.
Is good quality clean/washed bed linen, pillows and blankets/quilts provided ?
Yes.
Are cotton towels provided ?
Yes.
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Section 4. Questions related to the kitchen and eating in this Barcelona holiday apartment.
Is there a microwave oven ?
Yes. New, "Sharp". Easy to use.
Does the kitchen have pots/pans etc.
Yes, fully equipped; pots/pans/plates/cutlery set/wine glasses/water glasses etc.
Is there an electric pop-up toaster ?
Yes, 4 slice Moffat, was top of the range; with croissant/roll heater
feature (sit croissants on lift up grid and rising heat warms
them).
Is there a large teapot and mugs ?
Yes.
Is there a coffee maker and coffee cups ?
Yes. (Italian percolating type).
Is the fridge freezer of the type
with separate external door to freezer compartment ?
Yes. Large freezer compartment. Works well.
Are there minor items such as oven glove, tin
opener, wine bottle opener, whisk, potato peeler, ice cream scoop,
salt/pepper/sugar pots, pedal bin.
Yes.
Does the cooker have an oven ?
Yes, electric oven. With 4 gas hobs above.
Is there a pressurised fire extinguisher in the kitchen ?
Yes. And a second fire extuinguisher by the apartment entry door.
Is there an emergency light by the entry door that comes on if there is no electricity ? (so that the door can be unlocked in an emergency, it is not so easy in the dark in an emergency !)
Yes. The stairs of the building have emergency lights and also there is 1 inside the apartment.
Is there a supermarket nearby ?
Yes. 100 metres away, normally open till approx. 21:00.
Is the dining table large enough for 6 ?
Yes, once opened up to double its size, when not opened up it
seats 4.
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Section 5. Questions about booking, paying, keys, arrival and departure etc.
How would I go ahead and book the apartment ?
We communicate by e-mail and agree a rental. Book by e-mail, no advance payment; if you have an e-mail address at a company you can probably
book by e-mail without making any advance payment. Quick and easy.
The rental payment, and damage deposit, would then be paid at arrival at the apartment. The rental money needs to be in Euros.
If you do not have a company e-mail address you would normally be asked to make an advance payment to confirm a reservation;
for some groups this can be a payment transfer, for some groups a personal cheque sent by post which will be held and returned to you at arrival; and payment made in cash).
How much is the during rental deposit (en francais: le caution) ?.
The damage deposit, for most groups, is 100 Euros
(or other well recognised currency) , with a work e-mail address)
in cash, against breakages/problems etc. (higher amount for students or certain other groups, see the contract) .
This money is repaid on the last day of your stay after checking the apartment
and you returning the keys.
(if you are departing < 09:00 in the morning then your deposit may be returned to you by bank transfer or similar; or perhaps the evening before departing the apartment).
Is there a minimum age to book the apartment ?.
Prefer for the renters to be > 21 years old or I may ask for the reservation to be made by a parent. Depends on the details for the group.
What is the minimum number of nights ?
There is no minimum but for 2 or less nights there may be an additional charge to cover the
administration/cleaning effort etc for a short stay. Depends on how your dates
fit in and if it < 2 weeks before the arrival date. If you send in an enquiry I'll let you know.
What liability do you accept ?
If the whole apartment becomes completely unusable before arrival of a group due to a reason such as a flood
then I would tell you and have to cancel the reservation and pay back all of any
advance payment; no liability for the cost of different accommodation. I should be able to help you find another apartment.
Double Booking Liability. I am of course liable if I double book the apartment.
No double bookings so far and plan to keep it that way !.
When our group arrives at the apartment can we pay the rent and damage deposit with 2 personal cheques ?
No. The rental payment at arrival and the damage deposit on arrival day need to be paid in cash.
What is the normal time for arriving at the apartment ?
If the apartment is occupied the night before your arrival then arrival can be between 10:30 and approx 23:00, arranged in advance.
(After 23:00 there would probably be an extra cost, please ask).
If previous group will leave at say 10:00 then you could arrive at say 10:05. (or arrive at 12:05 if a group departs at 12:00)
But often the apartment will not have
been rented the night before and then you can arrive at any time after 10:30 as long as advised and agreed on the booking form.
What is the normal time for leaving on the departure day.
Between 09:00 and 12:00.
If the apartment is not booked for the coming night, or next arrivals are in the evening of that same day or an arrival the following morning,
then you can probably depart from the apartment up until around 18.00/19:00 for no extra cost, or perhaps even later, please inform me when booking.
Is it possible to arrange other check in/out times ?
Yes. You can drop off your
bags at the apartment before the apartment has been cleaned. In the past a group
has arrived in the morning, paid, collected the keys etc, left their bags and then
the apartment has been cleaned. They are then free to return whenever
suits them since they have the keys and have paid.
Is it possible to have 2 or 3 sets of keys ?
Yes, 2 or 3 sets of keys, as you wish, is included. (For 3 sets of keys please remind the owner 1 week before arriving).
Can a taxi stop at the entrance door of the building ?
Yes.
What is the best method to get to/from the airport ?
Taxi. A taxi is an easy way, about 25 Euros plus approx. 1E per suitcase (bit more on holidays or at night). Say
20-25 minutes.
Express Bus.
The last stop of the express airport bus service is Plaza Catalunya which is a 8-10 minutes walk, also has a
taxi rank if don't want to walk the last part to the apartment.
The cost of the Express Bus is 5 Euros per person (2010) and
there is a bus about every 6 minutes.
I can provide a map for the short walk to the apartment from Plaza Catalunya.
Train. There is also a train between the airport and Plaza Catalunya.
There is a short walk of about 3 minutes at the airport to
the train station. With the express bus collecting at the doors of the airport hall
and being every 6 minutes instead of every 30 minutes for the train, the bus is I think the better option.
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