We loved staying at Ramón’s studio. You cannot beat the Lavapiés barrio which is among the liveliest you’ll find in all of Spain. It’s filled w/ bars & restaurants — many good ones, too. (The authentic Lamina is just up the street from the apartment, and the fabulous Taberna el Sur, where we ate twice, is a few streets away.) You’re 100 meters from the Lavapiés Metro station as well as a bus stop. But from here you don’t need public transportation for many of Madrid’s primary destinations. Plaza de Mayor is 15 minutes walking in one direction. The Reina Sofia museum is 10 minutes in another, with the Retiro and the Prado another 10-15 minutes beyond that. We’d go back for the location alone.
Then you have the delights of Ramón’s imaginative energies — the way he created his apartments, repurposing various materials, somehow making a statement with his constructions. It’s like his sculptures, and his personality, which is warm and friendly. (We got lucky and enjoyed conversation with him and a painter friend of his at one of the local tapas bars.) The apartment has everything a couple would need, including a strong wi-fi connection. It’s on the ground floor, so no stairs (behind 3 doors that lock, it’s plenty safe). You won’t be able to cook elaborate meals, but the hot plate allows for making some simple dishes if you want to dine in. The refrigerator is big. Shower is hot and strong. We had a marvelous time.