A fabulous sanctuary in the most convenient area. Very bohemian, GLBT friendly, racially colourful area within walking distance to Madrid's three most famous art collections:Reina Sofia, Thyssen, El Prado, as well as the more clandestineTabacalera, a supermarket, lots of fruit and vegie shops, cheap indian food, tapas bars and the expansive El Rastro Sunday street market. The apartment is self contained and has everything you need to be comfortable and make yourself at home (provided you don't want fancy things like an iron, TV, stereo or wi-fi). Javier came to pick me up from the airport which was the biggest blessing because I had a lot of luggage (which had to be hauled up the steps as there is no elevator to the duplex) The apartment block is filled with different nationalities hanging in the doorways, with cooking smells and world music drifting in from the other duplexes...for me this just added to the overall ambience but if you are more conservative single female traveller, you might find this a bit intimidating.
You can easily get back to the airport by walking to the nearby RENFA central train station (above ground train), which takes you directly to T4 terminal for all of 2Euros. If you want to visit other areas of Madrid, the Lavapies metro stop is merely 3 minutes walk away.
I was in love with this little home in the centre of an area vibrant with buzzing street life. I could step in and out between excursions and take time to rest and make my own cup of tea away the way i like it :)