The Patio B & B

The Patio is a cozy two-room B&B tucked away in the inner courtyard of a larger apartment building, which has its own entrance and private patio. Upon entering the apartment building, you bypass the front lobby completely (although if you get lost like I did, you may end up taking a ride on the very old-fashioned elevator, with its vintage leather seat) and keep going straight out the back door into the courtyard of the building, where a long plant-lined corridor stretches out in front of you. At the end of the corridor is the entrance to the B&B and the home of the owners, friendly English-Spanish couple Liz and Tony. The B&B is totally separate from the owners' home, maintaining privacy, but they are connected via a door in the owners' kitchen, so they can come in to the B&B to greet guests and serve breakfast in the mornings. It's also nice to know that the owners are so close by, in case you have any tourist questions or need any help. Both Liz and Tony speak fluent English and Spanish (Tony speaks Italian as well), and they are full of information about Barcelona and good suggestions on how to get around and what to see and do. During my visit to see the B&B, I was plied with snacks of delicious jamón, olives, and toasted bread from the deli down the street, as well as a little too much cava (Spanish champagne) -- I could tell from my long chat with them and from their hospitality that the owners truly enjoy meeting guests from around the world and ensuring that they have a good stay. The two guestrooms are simple but have a lot of old-world charm, with exposed brick walls, antique furniture, and quilted bed coverings. While there's no air-conditioning in the B&B, both rooms have quiet ceiling fans that keep it quite cool. The main room of the B&B has a sofa where guests can sit and relax, and a table that seats all four guests, where breakfast is served. Guests are also welcome to make themselves a coffee or tea at any time during the day. One of the highlights of the B&B -- hence its name -- is the patio located just above the guestrooms, up one flight of stairs, which Liz and Tony have decked out with table, chairs, umbrella, and plants. Perfect for a sunny break during the day, or for relaxing in the evening after hours of touring, with a glass of wine and a good book.

Note: guests who book a triple will get 1 double room with an extra bed in the room. Guests who book for 4 or 5 people will get both guestrooms.