Amber Harlequin

Combining the cosy comforts of a home with all the amenities of a hotel, this sleek apartment is a delightful escape. The kitchen is modern and bright, with a huge island that makes cooking a dream. After a busy afternoon exploring, we loved planting ourselves on the barstools, sipping sangria and nibbling on tapas. In the living room, a glossy wood floor and wicker accents add touches of warmth, while the French doors open onto a small Juliet balcony that overlooks leafy Calle del Almirante. The bedroom has a second Juliet balcony – this one looks onto the communal courtyard – as well as a sumptuous bed and en-suite bathroom. Underfloor heating and lush rainfall showers round out the amenities, and with daily cleaning included, you'll always come home to a sparkling flat. We also loved the location – it's a residential neighbourhood bursting with Madrid character, upscale restaurants, chic bars and independent shops. For a night on the town, buzzing Chueca is a five-minute walk and has a charming array of sidewalk cafes, trendy eateries and lively nightlife. Five minutes in the other direction is Recoletos Station, so zipping around the rest of Madrid is a breeze.

Home truths:
*This home can sleep four guests, with two on the murphy bed in the hallway
*Apart from the breakfast bar, there’s no proper dining area and cutlery is limited
*There are three steps leading to the elevator
*Heating is central in the building, not individual in each apartment, and is under the floor
*Only a few capsules are provided for the Nespresso machine – you can buy more from the hosts or bring your own
*The king bed in the master can be separated into two singles on request
*Your hosts can also arrange a cot, high chair and children's dinnerware on request
*The host has several near-identical homes in the same building, which means that minor design details, as well as the floor you'll be staying on, may vary