The good was the area was fantastic! We walked everywhere, restaurants, museums, shopping, and the train station. We had initially preferred to be on the other side of Calle de Atocha, but this location turned out to be better for us. Really, a terrific location.
Jose was welcoming, allowing us to get in to the apartment early, making sure we knew where the grocery store was, bringing extra towels within the hour, and cautioning us about pickpockets. He was right across the street, and made himself available if we needed him, so that was great.
There were a couple of disappointments in the apartment itself. The bed is past due for replacement. A new mattress is definitely required, unless you like soft and sagging. Sheet and duvet cover could also could be replaced with a new set of crisp fresh linens.
The real problem was the general uncleanliness. Nothing glaring on inspection,, but dust all over the tv and desk. I sponged down the kitchen cupboards and counter because of the stains and streaks, the baking sheet wasn't clean and had to be scrubbed.
The worst was the bathroom. Again, fine on initial inspection, but when I got into the shower I was up close and personal with the soap scum on the shower wall and door, both inside and out. The bathroom should be sparkling, squeaky clean. Absolutely no excuse for it not to be, especially since we paid a separate cleaning fee. Jose, fire the cleaner, or if you do it yourself, you need to hire a professional!
We're not inexperienced renting vacation apartments, but this is the only one that wasn't clean, to the point I would not recommend it to a friend. Three stars are for the location and ease of dealing with Jose, but I would not return because of the clean issues.
I would have preferred not to write a critical review, this was such an easy fix.