Black Hole Sun

Right in the heart of Madrid, this contemporary apartment is in a top-notch location for exploring. Step out the front door and you'll be straight into the city's hustle and bustle – buzzing Gran Vía is two minutes on foot, with Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor walkable in under ten. Whether you fancy sightseeing, shopping or sampling the local cuisine, this is the place to be, with restaurants, boutiques and all the landmarks within easy.

When you're not taking advantage of this super-central locale, relax back at home with a glass of Spanish vino. Hues of bold yellow, crisp white and sleek black give this chic pad a pop of personality – a perfect reflection of the dazzling modern art piece hanging proudly on the living room wall. Elsewhere, clever Japanese-style doors make the most of the natural light, so although the rooms are a bit small, they're all quite stylish. We're not going to lie – the kitchen, in particular, is pretty compact, but with Madrid's many eateries on your doorstep, we doubt you'll do much cooking.

Home truths:
*This apartment is on the third floor without an elevator – it's a steep climb and won't suit those with limited mobility
*The third bedroom has a pull-out trundle bed, best suited to a child
*There's only space for two at the dining table and the living area isn't roomy enough for all six guests to hang out at once
*At a squeeze, it may be possible to sleep two extra guests on the sofa bed – please ask your host for more information
*You'll need to collect the keys from the host's office – please tell them your intended arrival time in advance
*There aren't many windows here and some of the rooms are very small
*This flat is in a building with a shared entrance
*Please respect the neighbours and keep noise to a minimum