Description Brighter Days: Madrid

Sitting within the Puente de Vallecas district of the Spanish capital, this apartment will appeal to those with a preference for stylish yet simple design.

Stark white walls and smart wooden floors are a timelessly chic combination and make for a blank canvas against which colourful furnishings and accent walls really stand out – not to mention a couple of towering house plants. The super-sleek kitchen is not only easy on the eye but also has enough surface space for whipping up family-sized feasts.

The local area is a little more residential than the city's more touristy areas, but Madrid's most famous sights aren't too far away, either. You can reach the southern side of the Parque de el Retiro – recently added to UNESCO's World Heritage list – in twenty minutes by bus, while the striking architecture of Gran Vía is only half an hour away on the metro.

Home truths:
*The single-level apartment is on the third floor of a building with no elevator *There's no private parking available, but Nueva Numancia metro station is a short walk away – you can also park for free on the street along the white lines *Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request *Upon arrival, you will be able to self check-in *Although there isn't a desk here, the dining table can double as a laptop-friendly workspace *You may be able to hear some noise from the street