Overall, a great long-term stay!
Positive:
*Hosts: Although I never met Sara in person, we were always in contact and she was very responsive. She shares host responsibilities with her equally nice and helpful sister, Maria....whom I met in person a few times. Great hosts! Flexible, friendly, responsive....what more can you ask for?
*Location: ~5 min walk to Reina-Sofia Museum, ~10 to Atocha Station, ~15 to Prado Museum. EXCELLENT LOCATION. Safe, friendly neighborhood. Local fresh market and supermarkets (Mercadona, Lidl, Dia) are all close by. The very useful #27 bus stops at the end of the block, the #19 & #45 stop across the street. The Metro station Palos de la Frontera is ~5 min walk and is just three quick stops to the center of Madrid, Puerta del Sol.
*Apartment: Located on the 2nd floor(3rd for Americans) --there is an elevator. I was a bit concerned about the street noise since the building is located on a boulevard, but street noise was NOT an issue at all. The apartment faces the rear of the building--into a courtyard. Also, the windows are very modern (double-paned with roll down shutters). There is a new air conditioner in the living room, but I never needed it in the springtime. The apartment was VERY clean and well cared for. The kitchen was well equipped. The double bed was very comfortable and I slept very well. Wi-fi is good, dependable, consistent. There is a new Smart-TV, so you can watch You-Tube or Netflix easily.
Three things could have been better:
*Bathroom: Although VERY clean, it is VERY narrow and could use a good update. I'm average height and yet was not able to see myself in the mirror since the mirror/cabinet was positioned so low.
*Thin walls: Although the neighbors were not in any way disruptive, you could hear them from next door and above -- pretty clearly at times (and I'm sure they heard me.)
*Sleep sofa: a simple IKEA pull-out would not fully extend, so my guests had to sleep on a bed slightly shorter than expected.
Overall, I would definitely stay here again without hesitation.