12/11/202606/11/2026 by Places Cases Author

Artistic Apartment in Malasaña, Madrid: An Honest Review for 2-4 Guests

In Short

During our one-week visit to Madrid, we stayed in an artistic apartment for 2 to 4 guests in Malasaña. It proved to be a good accommodation option in central Madrid for a family with teenagers or a group of young travellers who value location, unusual interior design and quick communication with the host.

The apartment can sleep 4 people, but its layout is unconventional. On the main level, there is a dining area with a kitchen, a separate bedroom and a bathroom. A very steep internal staircase leads to an attic sleeping area with a double bed and a low ceiling.

I would not describe it as a standard two-bedroom apartment. The upper level is better understood as a large loft bed or oversized bunk-bed-style sleeping area rather than a fully separate second bedroom.

Its strongest points are the location in Malasaña, the artistic interior and the responsive owner, Maria. She is an architect, and I suspect she designed the apartment herself. If so, she deserves credit for creating a space with real character.

The main disadvantages are the lack of a lift, the steep internal staircase, the low ceiling in the attic area, street noise, several practical issues in the bathroom and the difficulties with unlocking the doors with the keys.

Practical Information About the Apartment in Malasaña

Where: Malasaña, central Madrid, Spain
Type of accommodation: short-term rental apartment booked through Airbnb
Airbnb listing: The Very Heart of the City + Video Projector
Capacity: up to 4 guests
Layout: one bedroom, one bathroom, dining area with kitchen and an attic sleeping level with a double bed
Floor: fourth and top floor
Lift: no
Best for: families with teenagers, young travellers, friends and physically active visitors
Strongest points: central location, artistic interior, proximity to public transport and major attractions, quick communication with the host
Main drawbacks: steep stairs, low attic ceiling, street noise, no lift and an inconvenient bathroom setup
Facilities: equipped kitchen, washing machine, oven, hob, projector, screen and Chromecast
Not available: dishwasher and standard television
Rating: 4 out of 5 hearts

We booked the apartment through Airbnb, but the owner, Maria, also has a website where you can contact her and view other apartments she manages: Smart Set Design.

placescases.com 5D Sensograph Rating: 4.4 out of 5 Hearts

5 out of 5 hearts for the artistic interior, unconventional layout and interesting attic sleeping area.

3 out of 5 hearts for the excellent location and responsive host, with some inconvenience caused by the stairs, the bathroom and the unlocking of the doors.

4 out of 5 hearts because of the street noise and the old windows, which do not provide particularly effective sound insulation.

5 out of 5 hearts for the fragrance of the flowering trees outside and the aroma of morning coffee from the complimentary capsules.

5 out of 5 hearts for the well-equipped kitchen and the many good restaurants, cafés and bars within walking distance in Malasaña.

Reading time: 5 min.

If you don’t feel like reading, see a short movie further below for 2:11 min.

See in the Artistic Apartment in Malasaña …

… Artistic Design and an Unconventional Layout: The apartment has a strong visual identity and stands out from the anonymous design often found in standard hotel rooms. Its interior feels artistic, and its unusual layout becomes apparent as soon as you enter.

The main level, located on the fourth floor of the building, includes a dining area with a kitchen, a separate bedroom and a bathroom. From there, a very steep internal staircase leads to an attic sleeping space with a double bed.

I would not call this a conventional two-bedroom apartment. The upper level is better viewed as a large loft bed or a mezzanine-style sleeping area accessed by a ladder-like staircase.

… An Attic Sleeping Area Better Suited to Younger Guests: The upper level may be fun for teenagers or young adults who have no difficulty with steep stairs and low ceilings. You cannot stand fully upright in the space, so it should not be considered equivalent to a normal second bedroom.

The final step does not end on a proper landing. Instead, it finishes on a narrow strip from which you have to step into the attic area. This is an important detail that future guests should know before booking.

… A Projector and Screen Instead of a Television: There is no standard television in the apartment. Instead, there is a projector, a screen and Chromecast, which can be used for streaming platforms and apps such as HBO and YouTube.

We did not spend much time exploring the system because watching television was not the purpose of our Madrid trip. During the day, however, the picture quality may depend on how effectively the room can be darkened.

… Direct Visibility from the Hostel Opposite:The windows directly face a hostel across the street. You can see the guests in the opposite building, and they can also see into the apartment.

For more privacy, keep the blinds down when changing clothes or moving around the apartment partially dressed.

The takeaway: the apartment has an artistic personality and an unconventional appearance, but some of its most interesting architectural choices also create practical limitations. The attic level is much more suitable for young and mobile guests than for someone expecting a conventional second bedroom.

Feel in the Apartment in Malasaña …

… An Excellent Central Madrid Location: One of the apartment’s greatest advantages is its location in Malasaña, an artistic and bohemian neighbourhood known for its active city life, restaurants, cafés and bars.

Several types of public transport are available nearby. The Royal Palace of Madrid and other major attractions can be reached in approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot, depending on your pace and route.

This makes it possible to explore much of central Madrid without relying constantly on the Metro, buses or taxis.

… A Responsive and Helpful Host: The owner, Maria, answered our questions quickly and helped whenever we needed assistance. We communicated through the Airbnb chat.

This was particularly useful in an unconventional apartment with details such as the projector, the internal staircase and the unusual shower handset, all of which may not be immediately clear when you first arrive.

… Four Floors Without a Lift; The apartment is located on the fourth and top floor of a building without a lift. Carrying large or heavy luggage upstairs can be difficult.

After spending an entire day walking around Madrid, climbing another four floors is not always the most pleasant way to end the evening. For active and physically fit guests, it is manageable. For older travellers or anyone with knee or mobility problems, it may be a significant obstacle.

… A Bathroom with Several Practical Issues: The bathroom sink has separate taps for hot and cold water, with no mixer tap. Very hot water comes from one tap and cold water from the other, which makes washing less convenient.

The shower temperature also changed from warm to cold. We then had to wait for the water to become warm again.

The shower handset appears unusable at first, but there is a trick to operating it. Ask Maria for instructions instead of spending time trying to work out the mechanism yourself.

There is also very little space for toiletries and cosmetics in the bathroom. We solved this by moving a small cabinet from the dining area into the bathroom.

… Difficulties with unlocking the building and apartment doors with the keys: this, in any other circumstance simple operation, was very difficult there and if the ladies from housekeeping did not show us the trick they apply to unlock, we would never be able to learn how to manage.

Most important: the strongest advantages are the central location and the good communication with the host. However, your comfort will depend greatly on your mobility and your willingness to accept the apartment’s unconventional bathroom, attic arrangements unlocking challenges.

Hear in the Apartment in Malasaña …

… Lively Street Life During the Day and at Night: A central location in Malasaña means that the neighbourhood remains active during both the day and the evening. There are numerous bars and restaurants nearby, people return home late, and conversations on the street can be lively.

You should not expect complete silence.

The windows are old and do not insulate the apartment particularly well from outside noise. Light sleepers may find earplugs useful.

On the positive side, the same lively atmosphere means that you have plenty of good restaurants, cafés and bars nearby without needing to travel to another part of Madrid.

The takeaway: street noise is the main compromise that comes with the central location. If you are looking for calm surroundings and complete silence, this is probably not the right apartment. If you prefer staying at the heart of city life, you may accept the noise as part of the Malasaña experience.

See a short movie about the apartment 2:11 min.

Smell in the Apartment and Around Malasaña …

… The Strong Fragrance of Trees Flowering in June: During June, the streets around the apartment were filled with the strong fragrance of flowering trees. The scent was intense and added to the feeling of summer in Madrid as soon as we stepped outside.

For me, it was a pleasant part of the neighbourhood’s atmosphere. For people with seasonal allergies or sensitivity to strong floral scents, however, the experience may be less enjoyable, particularly during longer walks.

The complimentary coffee capsules also added the pleasant aroma of freshly prepared coffee to our mornings in the apartment.

The takeaway: the scent of flowering trees is part of the Madrid experience in June, but travellers with seasonal allergies should be prepared.

Taste in the Apartment and Around Malasaña …

… A Kitchen for Breakfast and Light Meals; The apartment has an equipped kitchen that is convenient for preparing breakfast, coffee or a light evening meal. It also has a washing machine, although there is no dishwasher.

The lack of a dishwasher is not a major issue during a short stay, but it is worth considering if you plan to cook regularly. There is also an oven and a hob, so preparing proper meals is possible.

… Plenty of Restaurants, Cafés and Bars Nearby: Malasaña is an excellent neighbourhood for travellers who want restaurants, cafés and bars within walking distance.

This compensates for some of the apartment’s disadvantages because there is no need to arrange transport for every meal or evening out.

We found several places nearby that we particularly enjoyed. You can read more about them in What and Where to Eat in Madrid: Spanish Food and 9 Personally Tested Places

The takeaway: the kitchen covers the basic needs of a short stay, but the true advantage is the neighbourhood itself. Malasaña offers enough places to eat and drink that you are unlikely to spend much of your holiday cooking.

Who Is This Apartment in Madrid Suitable For?

This apartment is a good choice for:

a family with teenagers;
a group of up to 4 friends;
young and physically active travellers;
visitors who prioritise a central Madrid location;
guests who appreciate artistic and unconventional interior design;
travellers who value quick communication with a responsive host;
visitors planning to explore central Madrid mainly on foot.

Who Is This Apartment Not Suitable For?

The apartment is not a good choice for:

families with small children because of the steep internal staircase;
older travellers;
guests with knee, joint or mobility problems;
visitors carrying large or heavy luggage;
light sleepers who require a quiet room;
guests expecting a conventional second bedroom with a full-height ceiling;
people who would find separate hot and cold taps inconvenient;
guests who require a lift, dishwasher or standard television;
travellers who want complete privacy from neighbouring buildings.

Pros and Cons of the Apartment in Malasaña

Pros

excellent central Madrid location;
Malasaña is an interesting and lively neighbourhood;
major attractions are within walking distance;
public transport is available nearby;
artistic and memorable interior;
accommodation for up to 4 guests;
responsive and helpful host;
equipped kitchen and washing machine;
oven and hob;
projector, screen and Chromecast;
numerous restaurants, cafés and bars nearby.

Cons

no lift;
located on the fourth floor;
very steep internal staircase;
awkward final step leading to the attic level;
low ceiling in the upper sleeping area;
street noise;
old windows with limited sound insulation;
direct visibility from the hostel opposite;
no dishwasher;
separate hot and cold taps in the bathroom sink;
inconsistent shower temperature;
little space for toiletries in the bathroom;
no standard television.

Would I Stay There Again?

This is a place that gradually starts to appeal to you.

At first, you notice the stairs, the low attic ceiling, the noise and the unusual bathroom setup. After a day or two, however, you become accustomed to these details and begin to appreciate the location, the artistic character and the convenience of staying in central Madrid.

It starts to grow on you.

I would recommend it to a family with teenagers or a younger group that values location more than conventional hotel comfort.

I would not choose it for older travellers, small children, a romantic stay or guests who find stairs difficult.

For a future visit to Madrid, I would probably also compare other options, including less expensive ones. The apartment was initially advertised at a price comparable to hotels offering considerably more facilities. We booked it only after the price dropped below those alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Apartment in Malasaña

Is the apartment suitable for 4 guests?

Yes. The apartment can sleep up to 4 guests. There is a separate bedroom on the main floor and a double bed in the attic sleeping area.

However, the upper space has a low ceiling and is accessed by a very steep staircase. It is therefore best suited to teenagers or young adults.

Is the apartment in a good area of Madrid?

Yes. It is located in Malasaña, a central, artistic and lively neighbourhood of Madrid.

Public transport, restaurants, cafés and bars are available nearby, and many major attractions can be reached on foot.

The address of the apartment is: C. del Pez, 2, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain

Is Malasaña a good place to stay in Madrid?

Malasaña is a good area for travellers who want to stay close to restaurants, bars, shops and central Madrid attractions.

It is particularly suitable for visitors who enjoy an active neighbourhood and plan to explore the city on foot. It may be less suitable for light sleepers because of the evening and late-night street noise.

Is there a lift in the building?

No. The apartment is on the fourth and top floor, and there is no lift.

This can be inconvenient for travellers with large luggage or limited mobility.

Is the apartment suitable for small children?

I would not recommend it for small children because of the steep staircase to the attic level, the narrow final step and the low ceiling.

Is the apartment noisy at night?

Street noise can be heard because Malasaña has active daytime and nightlife.

The older windows do not block outside sounds completely. If you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.

Does the apartment have a kitchen and washing machine?

Yes. The apartment has an equipped kitchen, an oven, a hob and a washing machine.

There is no dishwasher.

Is there a television?

There is no standard television. The apartment has a projector, screen and Chromecast for streaming content from apps such as HBO and YouTube.

What is the bathroom like?

There is one bathroom, and it has several practical drawbacks.

The sink has separate taps for hot and cold water, the shower temperature is inconsistent, and there is little space for toiletries.

How can I book the apartment?

We booked it through Airbnb under the name The Very Heart of the City + Video Projector.

The owner, Maria, also has a website where you can contact her and view other apartments: Smart Set Design.

What rating do I give the apartment?

My overall rating is 4 out of 5 hearts.

Its strongest points are the central Malasaña location, artistic interior and responsive host. Its main disadvantages are the stairs, street noise and bathroom setup.

How to book your stay at the Apartment in Malasaña?

I recommend booking your stay directly here. For your convenience, I have included a map widget showing available hotels, apartments and other accommodation options. You support the blog without paying extra and still use all your Genius and other discounts.