Mar is a super friendly host and it was easy to communicate either by phone or email. The apt. is very comfortable and the a/c worked great! The old fashioned elevator is modernized so we took it to go up to the fourth floor. The washer/dryer combination worked, but be forewarned that this type of machine takes longer to dry. No big deal.
The area of Cortes is filled with people and many restaurants. There are little markets, right around the corner is a bolleria where you can get bread & pastries. Not too far is a Carrefour Express market. Walking distance to all the 3 main museums and Parque El Retiro. We felt like we lived there. ¡Gracias, Mar!