Simple and practical, this home may not have much in the way of entertainment or flashy amenities, but it offers a great location from which to explore Madrid’s sights. A short walk from the Royal Palace of Madrid and within easy reach of Plaza Mayor and Gran Vía, it’s a central, functional base for those looking to spend most of their time venturing about the city. When you are at home, however, you’ll find a cheerful feature wall in the open-plan living area and a handy dining nook for when you’re not out sampling the local tapas bars. And while the main bedroom is a little cramped, the home has the benefit of two bathrooms – certain to speed up any morning ahead of a busy itinerary. Home truths: *There's no lift here, so you'll need to climb stairs in order to access the apartment *This host does not accept bookings from groups of young people *Given the home's central location, you may hear some street noise *The home's decor is a little dated and on the basic side – those looking for a more characterful stay may wish to look elsewhere *There's no desk here, but the dining table can double up as a laptop-friendly workspace if needed *There's not much storage space here, so you may want to pack light *The main bedroom is a little cramped around the bed *The building's entrance is communal *We recommend skipping the car and exploring Mardid on foot or by public transport instead