So far the hotels we like are so far out of price (need suite or 2 rooms since family of 4) range we decided an apartment was the way to go next June. Would like within 1/2mile or so of Pl. Catalina. Price under $300/nt optimal but flexible. Looking for reputable agency. Looked into airbnb but am uncomfortable with their answers regarding HUTB license/verifying legal rentals.
thank you in advance for any/all help!
HUTB numbers can be checked on the government website.
https://empresa.extranet.gencat.cat/rtcwebguies/AppJava/cercaEstabliments.do?pst=5&lg=
in the 'Identificador registral ' section type in HUTB-###### . # indicates a number. There should be 6. I had to try a few combinations, but my apartment came up.
Regardless of company providing service, you should double check the HUTB number. There is no guarantee that the other companies that represent rental hosts are any more vigilant than AirBnB. The information is only as accurate as the host is honest, IMO.
VEO is a spanish short let rental company that operates in a few cities including Barcelona. Friends have used them in Sevilla.
The reason I like AirBnB is that they hold the security deposit against your credit card so I don't have to hand over hundres of euro in cash and hope that I get it back - then what to do with all those Euros? Also, AirBnB holds payment to the host until 24 hours after check in so that if you don't have what you were sold, or if there are issues, they are the intermediaries and you don't have to try and retrieve money from an individual. This to me is peace of mind and better value for my dollar.
There is a lot of fine print in apartment rentals and Booking, VRBO, in country companies all have different payment methods, payment times, deposit amounts and methods to pay security deposits. Ensure you know the process (as it may be different for each lodging) and that it suits you.
We stayed here in June (family of 5) and I found the location to be walkable to many areas (we walked to La Sagrada Familia and also down to the Barri Gotic).
http://ramblacatalunyasuites.com/
I would stay there again in a heartbeat.
www.cross-pollinate.com is a more selective resource that serves a few cities, including Barcelona.
I note the cross-pollinate website still has apartments without HUTB # but a quick scan of the reviews with none in 2017 might be the second clue that they are not legally registered apartments. Of course you can just ask.
Thank you all- in doing research I perhaps went too deep into "terrible tales of apartment rentals" and got stressed out. I really have underestimated how much planning and in depth research this trip will require. I know the work and doing my homework will pay off when there and relaxed. And I thank you all for these and future answers and help. This is such a knowledgeable place. Off to check out cross-polinate. And the apartments listed I'd heard of that one before I believe. Thank you again.
I stayed in this 2 bedroom apartment in Barcelona. It is very reasonably priced and comfortable.
There is a rental office and they several apartments. You can see if the location works for you.
A hint... while Maria's link above is indeed "the" central database for HUTB registrations -run by the Government of Catalonia, as it applies to all establishments anywhere in Catalonia- and it's where all the info is located, the Barcelona City Hall has added another website which quickly helps to spot whether an apartment is HUTB licensed or not: http://meet.barcelona.cat/habitatgesturistics/en/
Enric, thanks for that website - definitely seems easier than the other one. Do you know a similar one for Madrid and Granada? ;-)
Don't know, sorry... take into account though that they're from different autonomous communities (='states' if you're in the US, 'regions' if in Canada) and each has its own parliament, legislation and ways of doing things. Some are notoriously bad a being "user-friendly" with its citizens and information is scarce and not really obvious to find. Besides, the one with a greater "need" to regulate tourist apartments has been, by far, Barcelona so I am not even sure there's anything like this in Madrid or Granada.
We just went through Barcelona and stayed in an Habitat apartment. It was very nice and in the Eixample area, close to everything. Highly recommended.
We were even witness to the half-a-million strong protest that occurred there last week taking place right through the Eixample.
