The City Orchid

The City Orchid: Catalonia

Located on leafy Girona Street in Barcelona, this home offers a lovely combination of traditional charm and modern edge. The soothing blue tones of the living room and the colourful floor tiles make it a stylish sanctuary where you can relax when you're not exploring the hectic city. To keep you entertained there's a collection of books, and also a piano where you can practise your scales or play a tune for your fellow guests. The balcony is another added bonus – it's the ideal spot to sip your morning coffee alfresco or indulge in a nightcap at the end of the day. And, the location in Eixample puts you in a fantastic spot for sightseeing. The area has the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Europe, and you'll love wandering through the streets and admiring the beautiful architecture. Plaça de Catalunya is less than ten minutes away, while Gaudi's stunning modernist works, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila are both reachable on foot in under twenty minutes.

Home truths:
*This home is located on busy Girona Street, which means it will probably get noisy in the evening

*There's no window in the kitchen – be prepared for some lingering cooking smells

*The second bedroom has a small double bed, so it might be a squeeze with two guests

* Luggage storage before check-in and after check-out is possible, but you’ll have to drop your bags at the host’s office in the city centre

*The closest car park is just one minute away and costs around €35 per day to use