House of the Elephant

House of the Elephant: Catalonia

The Eixample district is packed with boutique shopping, fine-dining restaurants, and stylish bars. Of course, as the area is also famous for Gaudí masterpieces such as Casa Milà and Casa Batlló, we think it might be pretty handy to live less than a twenty-minute walk from both? In this sumptuous apartment, you’ll be able to stroll home from architectural marvels with ease. Speaking of which, we love the traditional aspects of the home – high ceilings and French windows with wrought-ironwork are a must for flats in this area. Elegant furniture accentuates the look, like wooden antiques and the flowing curtains which beautifully frame the Catalan sunlight. Fresh flowers bring an organic feel to the home, contrasting the modernity of the glass-topped tables where they’re placed. And from large, comfortable bedrooms, you can peer over the balconette to admire street views and pick out a café for lunch as you plan the day ahead. With the Urquinaona metro stop just a four-minute walk, this apartment is perfectly situated for local attractions, as well as visiting sights further afield.

Home truths:
* Access is not entirely step-free, even though there is a lift in the building
* Guests are kindly asked to respect quiet hours after 9pm, in order to keep this area peaceful
* The kitchen is stocked with a minibar including some luxury snacks and beverages, but these come at an additional cost
* There are in-building parking facilities available, but you'll need to pay €20 per night extra (and the parking space also depends on availability)