We didn't stay at those apartments, but we loved the L'Eixample district and found it a nice place to stay. It's about a 15 minute walk to Sagrada Familia, and we walked to just about everything else as well (we are good walkers). It's easy to get to Las Ramblas, but much quieter than that area.

I used AirBnB and there are many good locations around the area. The one I stayed at was practically a hotel.

I am afraid this district like many in Barcelona is hustle and bustle. Barcelona is a very busy city and not suitable for a beach holiday. May i suggest staying outside of Barcelona. Barcelona sits within the area of Costa Brava. Just over 1 hour travel from Barcelona you have Salou, Cambrills and other beach destinations. Happy holiday booking .

The area is the Eixample, a good place to stay. Everyone in the tourist business today knows how to speak English, so you will not have aany problem. The Passeig de Gracia is the most elegant avenue, with upscale stores. Good shopping streets downtown are Portal de l’Angel, Portaferrisa and Pelayo. Maremagnum is located by the port and is a mall that is open also on Sunday, when most shops are closed. The most important sights are the Modernist sites, which are the Gaudi sites and the Lluis Domenech sites. Prebook the Sagrada Familia Basilica, the Palau de la Musica Catalana, Park Guell and the Picasso Museum. A day trip to Montserrat is suggested. New Modernist sites that opened since 2014 that are terrific: 1. Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site 2. Casa Lleo Morera 3. Casa Museu Amatller The Museu del Modernisme Catalan (Calle Balmes, 48) is a small jewel of a museum, little known, but very worthwhile seeing. Good restaurants in the Eixample: 1. El Nacional (Passeig de Gracia, 24) - A big building with a very beautiful and original interior design, with 5 restaurants and one long bar. Moderately priced. 2. Palmera (Enric Granados, 57) - A small family run restaurant with a very good tasting menu. 3. Tenorio (Passeig de Gracia, 37) - A large attractive restaurant that is moderately priced. 4. La Rita (Arago, 279) - An attractive restaurant with an inexpensive menu of the day. Great food. 5. Cerveseria Catalana (Mallorca, 236) - Very good tapas place. *Enric Rosich Macarons (Passeig de Gracia, 53) has the best macarons.

About 20 minutes by bus. I didn't walk as it was extremely hot while I was there but I would estimate it would be about a 45 minute walk, this area is not close to the beach.