(María) Laura and Nacho are very kind, friendly, and communicative hosts. Laura checked me in and oriented me to their place and also provided very helpful information as well as a map to tour around the city.
The guest room is quite compact and windowless but more than sufficient, with everything one needs, including some nice closet and drawer spaces. If you have a lot of big luggage it might get crowded. The wifi works well and the rooms are brightly lit which is great (and seems hard to come by in many other places). The entire apartment is super-clean which was well-appreciated! The kitchen is also well-equipped.
The location is amazing - walking distance to pretty much all the main attractions and close to multiple Metro stops and only a few stops from Atocha station. If you arrive at the Tirso de Molina station, take the “Calle Magdalena” exit. Their place is easy to find even though Google Maps is slightly off with the exact location. Groceries and a variety of restos are nearby. The street does get quite noisy at night but the bedroom is pretty quiet due to its internal setting.
I did find the apartment chilly, as heating is not central and only done per room as needed (as was expected). A heater is provided for the guest room, as well as a comfortable bed and warm duvet.
Laura and Nacho speak English fluently but were also very patient with my desire to practise my Spanish. They were readily available to answer questions but also provided privacy. We did not have too much time to chit-chat but Laura and Nacho seem very interesting and it would have been nice to hear more about their own travels. Thank you for sharing your great apartment and tips about the city!