Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments - Gran Vía Suites

These apartments are housed in a historic, modernist eight-story stone building with balconies across the facade. Yes, graffiti covers the buildings on each side of the glass front doors, though this is a common sight in Barcelona and shouldn't put anyone off. Guests are greeted inside the entry by Eric Vokel's logo: a silhouetted man with a lampshade on his shoulders, reminiscent of a playful Rene Magritte painting and appropriate for Barcelona's artsy legacy. The reception area is small, with a white front desk in front of an exposed-brick wall and a black-and-white mural beside it. Eric's Corner, on the other side, has shelves with free travel essentials. A sofa and arm chair provide a place to sit, though reception is only open during the day and the hotel isn't exactly the kind of place where one spends hours socializing with other guests. It's especially popular with families, but self-sufficient couples, groups, individuals, and businesspeople also make their way here. 

These apartments are located on the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, one of the city's main thoroughfares, in the upmarket Eixample district. It's not the most lively area of the city, though there are bars and restaurants all around. Plaza de España is about an eight-minute walk from the apartments. To see most of the city's major sights, you'll need to take the metro -- the closest station is at Urgell, which is a seven-minute walk away. It will take about 15 minutes by metro to reach Plaza Catalunya, at the top of buzzing Las Ramblas. Sagrada Familia is 20 minutes away by metro. Expect a 30-minute journey by metro and walking to reach the beach near Barceloneta. Barcelona El Prat Airport is about 15 minutes away by car or 30 minutes by public transportation. 

Apartments are available with one to four bedrooms, and the style is fresh and bright. Decor is modern and minimalist, with wood floors, white walls, and clean-lined blonde wood furniture. Color schemes are mostly neutral, with colorful accents on headboards and decorative bed pillows. Trendy light fixtures add a nice dose of modernity with a utilitarian twist. The three- and four-bedroom apartments have two bathrooms. All have fully equipped kitchens, with microwaves, cook tops, ovens, sinks, refrigerators, toasters, tea/coffee makers, and cookware, dishes, and utensils. Amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are compact, but modern, and come with toiletries, hairdryers, and towel warmers. Some have showers only, and others have shower/tub combos. Balconies and terraces are furnished. It's worth noting that housekeeping is only free on a weekly basis; if you want it daily, you'll have to pay extra.

Since it's designed for self-sufficient travelers, this hotel doesn't offer much in the way of features. An internet corner in the lobby offers a computer for guests to use around-the-clock. There's also a self-service area with free toiletries, olive oil, coffee, tea, and sugar. Guests who book directly on the hotel website are given free breakfast kits with coffee, tea, milk, juice, and pastries. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Unfortunately, standard services like luggage storage do cost extra.