Apartaments Marina

Much like a residential
apartment, the Apartaments Marina has no public space other than a small
entrance with a glass-enclosed registration desk that's staffed 24/7. But the
small entrance is nicely appointed, beginning with the handsome marble tile
framing the exterior. Inside, rich wood paneling lines most walls, but some are
polished marble. The floors are rose quartz and lead to a steel
elevator framed by white-and-gray marble. It’s a quiet building, and with no common areas, guests keep pretty much to themselves, interacting only as they're coming or going. The apartment units attract extended-stay travelers, but they also are used frequently for brief stays by passengers taking cruises out of the nearby port. 

The Apartaments Marina is located within a six-minute walk of Gaudi's iconic Sagrada Familia on the northern edge
of the l’Exiample. It's on a busy street and surrounded by
restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. A grocery is adjacent to the complex, and the
Sagrada Familia metro stop is two blocks away, about a three-minute walk. The aerobus artery at Plaça Catalunya is a nine-minute drive or 20
minutes by public transportation. The Gothic Quarter in the Old City and the top of Las Ramblas is about 20 minutes away via public transportation. Port Vell is about 20 minutes away via public transportation. Approximate travel times
to the Barcelona El-Prat Airport is about 25 minutes by car or taxi, and one hour by
public transportation.

Apartaments Marina's 20 units are spacious and immaculate, with modern,
bright and sleek decor that has upscale touches. Walls are painted mostly
white, but some are in medium shades of blue. Floors are polished marble in
a light-beige shade. The handsome wood furniture is modern and IKEA-style, with small desks and attached cabinets in living rooms giving a
modular look. The glass and stainless-steel dining tables have simple wooden chairs with stainless steel frames. Even the doors and door frames are made of
the same quality wood. The living rooms also have matching blue sofas and
armchairs with wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. Bedrooms come in one- and
two-bedroom configurations, with double or double-twin beds. They're spacious but sparsely furnished, with  beds, closets,
and tiny nightstands attached to wood headboards. A few framed photographs of Barcelona are the extent of the decor. Kitchens are outfitted with bright-white wall tiles, cabinets, and appliances, with white-and-black granite countertops and splash walls behind the sinks. They come with ovens, stove-top burners, sinks, microwaves, full-size refrigerators, and
dishwashers. Cookware and utensils are included as well. Bathrooms feature dusty-rose-colored
marble floors, vanity tops, and framing around the bottom of the bathtubs. Walls are light-beige marble tile with dusty rose-marble accents. The tubs have
a half-door of clear glass and hand-held showerheads. Toilets and bidets sit
side by side. Daily housekeeping service, toiletries, phones, and free Wi-Fi are standard
amenities. Some apartments have views of the Sagrada Familia from their
small balconies, while others have street views. Be aware that street noise reaches the units, especially those on lower floors. 

These residence-style apartments are self-catering, and so don’t offer many extra services or amenities. Parking is
available in an attached garage for a fee, and guests receive a discount. The
front desk is staffed 24/7 and has a locked storage area for luggage.
Concierge services for things like tickets to top attractions are available,
and valet dry cleaning and laundry services are provided as well. Free Wi-Fi
is available throughout the complex, but many guests complain about the spotty signal. Faster Wi-Fi can be purchased for a daily fee.