Valentina is the coolest woman in Madrid.
I love her flat in the Lavapiés neighborhood. She lives on the fourth floor of a beautiful building; I had to take photos. She was so welcoming and easy going, helping me settle in and have a little siesta after I arrived.
The room she has for guests is big and bright, which was fantastic--I love that it gets so much natural light, and I didn't have to turn on the light until late. And I have to say, the bed was the most comfortable of the four I slept in while in Spain, one of which was a bed in a hotel. I slept like a baby, seriously, and started falling asleep almost immediately after laying down. It felt great after traveling from Toledo and a late night out on the town in Madrid! The room was quiet, too; another plus.
Her flat is only about 4 blocks from the Lavapiés metro, so you have access to almost the whole city quite easily. Also, there is a place that's recommended to see flamenco--I didn't go, but briefly considered it--within a 10 minute walk, if you're interested in that sort of thing. Speaking of proximity, she's only about a 25 minute metro ride (from Lavapiés station) or 15 minute walk from Plaza Mayor.
Lavapiés seems to be a kind of cool, bohemian neighborhood that I wish I'd been able to spend more time in. I would have been very comfortable staying with her for the whole of my time in Madrid if the extra night I stayed with her hadn't been a last-minute arrangement (I already had a room set up for the remainder of my stay). Valentina was kind, helpful, and welcoming, and I now have a new friend in Madrid.