Raquels mother met us at the apartment, gave us the keys and advice about the apartment. She seemed very nice lady, though we didn't speak that much spanish and she did not speak english.

We spent two nights in the apartment. We had two bathrooms, towels and sheets. It was clean but quite empty. The balcony was great, but since there was no coffee machine, wifi etc. in the house or nearby, we didn't spend much time in the apartment or in the barrio. It was also very cold at that time in Madrid. If you have company of other people then it would be great having your own party at the sunny terrace on the top floor.

The transport was near the house but if you want to walk to the center it is not that near and there are no signs which way to go so you better buy a map before arriving. We didn't have a map of Madrid so we didn't exactly know our way but by metro. If you take a bus you get to see more. Of course if you don't speak spanish, you need to find out yourself these things.

We were told there are two american girls coming to the other room but we never saw them and neither did the host come to say hi to us before we left. We were a little disappointed about to meeting anyone and felt a little isolated and alone in the house. The mother never told us when she is coming or give us her phone number so that we could call her. So if you hope to have company of a local madrilene,rather book a hostel in the centrum. The barrio seemed quite safe and the metro goes until 00:30. or maybe even later on weekends.

The beds were hard and since the apartment was newly renovated, there was a strong smell of paint in the other room where we stayed. So we didn't really sleep well. No shelves for clothes so you need to leave your stuff on the floor.