39 Steps

A designer haven for 2 in the raucous Raval - live like the locals in a chic apartment in central Barcelona

Just minutes from Plaça de Catalunya and the craziness of the Rambla, the 2 Mancunians behind Staying Cool have created a contemporary designer bolthole in a 200-year-old building. 39 narrow steps lead up to your very own stylish one-bedroom apartment, with a well equipped galley kitchen, a funky living/dining space, a large walk-in shower room and a quiet bedroom complete with original Moorish tiles.

A big boat of a bed is ideal for the inevitable siesta; a TV-DVD and the now de rigueur iPod dock liven up cosy early evenings or rare rainy days. When hunger strikes, stroll to any number of great eateries and buzzy bars nearby. The street itself is lively, but it's largely foot traffic, so shut the windows and switch on the A/C. You're in the heart of the city: hit the sights, shop till you flop, or lose yourselves in the narrow streets of bohemian Born and rambunctious Raval. And the world famous Boqueria market is 10 minutes away so you can stock up on jamon e queso and dine "at home". We loved it - beats the crowds, in every way.

Highs

• You couldn't ask for a more central location in this fantastic city: close to key sites, metro and bus links
• Funky, contemporary decor that reflects Barcelona's style consciousness
• Well equipped: free WiFi, Espresso machine, juicer, iron...
• Plenty of great tapas bars and restaurants nearby - slow-foody Mam i Teca, world-beating Cinc Sentits...

Lows

• Limited cupboard space
• The apartment can be quite dark even in the middle of the day, but a clever lighting system is built in
• The stairs to the apartment are very narrow, dark and steep - pack light and leave granny at home
• Some parts of the Raval are a little rough, so do be streetwise when out and about