looking for hotel in Barcelona

moneysavvy35

@Sallysunsine - well done, you couldn't get a better place by being near the beach. I to am happy as I've used the voucher I purchased to get a really good result - (easyjet) flight & (4*) hotel for £261 not including easyjets annoying c/c charge:mad::mad:.

I am sorry to be a pessimist, but please check out tripadvisors barcelona forum for a post about owners direct, thier is a paticular apartment owner that is mucking people about. I sure your break will be superfantastic

@northergeezer - keep looking around, try booking.com or skyscanner for a start up. as your already using tripadvisor - you can't go wrong. Good Luck.

SallySunshine

Hi Moneysavvy,
what a weird coincidence, that was one of the apartments we looked at and got a reply from the mysterious Lyn.
However I wasn't to keen as it didn't actually show you the views as the windows were curtained.
We have been in touch with the owners of the apartment we booked quite a few times. As they do not appear to be living in Spain itself, it seems that a lady called Lynda will be meeting us at apartment with the keys. The owners have been members of Owners Direct since 1993 so everything seems fine and the deposit was sent to their own bank.

However I will e-mail him with the link above, as I was quite concerned as this lady seems to be the greeter/agent for quite a few apartments, and do want to make sure she is there, although we do have her phone no.

SallySunshine

Just an update on my last post.
I've contacted the owner of the apartment we have booked and sent him the link.
Thankfully in our case it is not the same lady mentioned.

moneysavvy35

Glad to hear all is well......Just make sure your aware of your surroundings at all times, doing my research it seems barca is full of pickpockets....not gonna stop me from enjoying my time, but just be careful....

northerngeezer

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

I am sorry to be a pessimist, but please check out tripadvisors barcelona forum for a post about owners direct, thier is a paticular apartment owner that is mucking people about. I sure your break will be superfantastic

I too read that thread and it has somewhat put me off risking an apartment as I have my 4 kids with me and don't want to be messed about when I get there.

@Sallysunsine - It would be great to know which one you have chosen as you seem to have had good communication from the owner.

Doshwaster

moneysavvy35 wrote: »

Glad to hear all is well......Just make sure your aware of your surroundings at all times, doing my research it seems barca is full of pickpockets....not gonna stop me from enjoying my time, but just be careful....

You need to be aware of pickpockets (and the prostitutes who work in cohort with them) but they are generally only operational on Las Ramblas and the small side streets off it - and then mainly at night. It's a real problem that the local police don't seem to be interested in tackling but it's still not as bad as Rome. Take out only the money you need and leave everything else in the hotel/apartment.

Take the opportunity to explore other areas. Barca is so much more than the Las Ramblas.

SallySunshine

We fully intend to explore as much as we can in the few days we are there.
Neighbour of our had her bag stolen in on a Sunday morning coming out of her hotel, lost camera, a little money and her glasses.
Another was robbed twice on her 5 day stay.

So I'm even more safety aware and have read extensively about the ever cunning tricks and scams that are being operated to fleece tourists.

I have also read all the posts on the above thread re-Trip Advisor Forum, and although it was a rotten experience for the poster, I can't help but think it's a shame that it has coloured so many others feelings about using OwnersDirect site, whereas I'm sure many others have positive views.

murie

My daughter has just come back from a school trip to Barcelona- beware that 2 people in the trip had a purse (although it was a 14 year old- even though she had been warned) but more worryingly one of the teachers had a camera ripped from his hands. He isnt a small chap either-you would have thought that the pickpockets would have thought twice about taking hime on! Good job for him he managed to hold onto it!