My stay at Rosa's in Madrid was a great example of AirBnB at its best: you arrive to a welcoming home with someone who cares about you and can tell you where to go and how.
The room was comfortable and the flat was full of light. Having my own bathroom was a relief after spending time in other cities where I had to wait an hour or two before I could shower. I didn't have to worry about waking up anyone if I needed to use the washroom in the middle of the night. Breakfast included self-serve ham, fresh bread that I could toast and lather up with olive oil, fruit, coffee, tea, milk. The whole apartment was very clean.
But my favourite part of the experience was having Rosa as my host. Her knowledge of fine art is encyclopedic, and being an accomplished artist herself gives her insider info on off-the-beaten-path galleries one can visit. She helped me find my way on a map she provided, and pointed out sites of interest—many of them free! When I said I'd like to try paella, a typical dish of Spain, but told her I'm on a budget, she called her friends to ask for recommendations on good paella restaurants that wouldn't break my bank.
I leave Madrid hoping to return again and again because there is so much to see and do, yes, but also because I now have a friend in the city and a home to come home to.
I highly recommend staying at Rosa's. Oh! I almost forgot to say: You'll be within walking distance of museums, galleries, plazas, parks, theatres, everything! I got away with not taking a single cab or bus or metro ride while I was there. I arrived and left Madrid by train, and walked to and from Rosa's place. Excellent location.