David's apartment: INCREDIBLE.
So clean, everything is new/renovated: which was a nice change of pace when already living in Europe, and would be an easy stay over for any Americans who like new clean places. We opted to sleep on the super comfortable sofa bed, and the pillows and comforter were better than most nice hotels. You won't find another kitchen this big or this well-equipped in a European apartment. Perfect for cooking/baking/hosting/anything. TV and wifi worked easily and perfectly the whole time, as did the heating system.
Location is excellent: 3 minute walk to the metro and huge market, cafés and bars close by, great proximity to Palacio Real, San Francisco Cathedral, Puerta de Toledo, and Plaza Mayor, and less than 10 minute walk to the huge tapas area of Cava Baja.
Host: David was always available within minutes by email, he was awesome! He is probably just as available by phone, but our French phone didn't have service in Spain. He clearly cared about how we experienced Madrid, and left great recommendations, maps, and guidebooks for us to use. Check-in and check-out were really easy and well-communicated...and David wasn't even in town at all! He has a good system with the shopkeeper downstairs and his housekeeper, and he was so great about finding the best solution for everyone. David speaks fluent English, he is French, and I assume his Spanish is pretty good because he lives in Spain!
Everything you could need is already in the apartment!
Our stay in David's apartment is definitely our most impressive and wonderful experience with European trips - vacation homes and true hotels combined!
We also loved Madrid, and plan on returning to the city and to David's beautiful flat next year!