Blue & Garnet

Blue & Garnet: Catalonia

This apartment in the heart of Eixample has a couple of eclectic flourishes up its sleeve. The bold red finishes in the kitchen are unexpected, as is the patterned tiling that runs across the floors in the living area and bedrooms. By comparison, the furnishings are a little more pared-back, with a discernible mid-century influence in the seating.

The home's secret weapon, however, has to be the balcony, which is accessed through French doors in the living room and bedrooms. There are a couple of seats out there so you can enjoy a burst of fresh air during the hottest part of the afternoon.

That's if you're out exploring Barcelona's streets. The home's central location gives guests so many options, from frequenting the myriad restaurants in the local neighbourhood and visiting some of Gaudi's most famous buildings to catching a thirty-five-minute bus down to Barceloneta Beach for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea.

Home truths:
*There's an apartment to reach this single-level apartment on the third floor — there are a few steps to climb before reaching the lift, however
*The building has no private parking available, but Diagonal metro station is only five minutes' walk away
*It's worth noting that the mattresses and bed linen here aren't particularly plush, so not everyone might find them comfortable
*You won't find a welcome hamper or basic essentials here, so we'd recommend packing some bits and bobs to get you started
*Toiletries aren't provided, so you'll need to bring your own