The 42-room, upper-middle-range Petit Palace Plaza del Carmen occupies a charming, early 20th-century building set on a relatively quiet square in the center of Madrid. A block from the Gran Via subway station, it's a great base for exploring many of the city's attractions and within walking distance of the majestic Plaza Mayor. Rooms are smart and modern with amenities such as multi-jet showers and loaner iPads, though reports suggest soundproofing could be better. As a boutique hotel, there are few facilities beyond a breakfast room and free bikes, though ultimately it's an excellent example of its type -- especially after a 2016 makeover. If it's full, try the very similar Petit Palace Tres Cruces, which is practically next door.
The 42-room, upper-middle-range Petit Palace Plaza del Carmen occupies a charming, early 20th-century building set on a relatively quiet square in the center of Madrid. A block from the Gran Via subway station, it's a great base for exploring many of the city's attractions and within walking distance of the majestic Plaza Mayor. Rooms are smart and modern with amenities such as multi-jet showers and loaner iPads, though reports suggest soundproofing could be better. As a boutique hotel, there are few facilities beyond a breakfast room and free bikes, though ultimately it's an excellent example of its type -- especially after a 2016 makeover. If it's full, try the very similar Petit Palace Tres Cruces, which is practically next door.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza is ideally located in an upmarket neighborhood near beautiful Retiro Park and the Prado. As part of the high-tech Petit Palace chain, the 71 stylish rooms have tech-friendly extras like iPod docks and iPads, and there’s a good range of categories to suit various types of travelers. Other perks include a chic lobby lounge and a breakfast room-slash-bar serving up a tempting breakfast (though it’s not included in rates). Minor downsides are limited to the rooms; some don’t have a view and there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. The hotel draws high-expectation-medium-budget tourist couples and families, as well as some business travelers. It’s great value, to be sure, but nearby sister hotel Petit Palace Savoy has more features.
The three-and-a-half-pearl Petit Palace Lealtad Plaza is ideally located in an upmarket neighborhood near beautiful Retiro Park and the Prado. As part of the high-tech Petit Palace chain, the 71 stylish rooms have tech-friendly extras like iPod docks and iPads, and there’s a good range of categories to suit various types of travelers. Other perks include a chic lobby lounge and a breakfast room-slash-bar serving up a tempting breakfast (though it’s not included in rates). Minor downsides are limited to the rooms; some don’t have a view and there are no coffee- and tea-making facilities. The hotel draws high-expectation-medium-budget tourist couples and families, as well as some business travelers. It’s great value, to be sure, but nearby sister hotel Petit Palace Savoy has more features.
The 39-room, two-and-a-half-pearl Oriente Hostal is a nice step above your typical city budget hotel. Its rooms are individually decorated -- some with cheerful contemporary decor and others in a more classic style -- and have great amenities, including free Wi-Fi, small flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning. Most are small, and Individual Rooms are tiny, but all units are spotlessly clean and comfortable, and many have wonderful views of the Royal Theater. There are no amenities whatsoever here, but the location right in the heart of Madrid's historic center allows for easy access to restaurants, cafes, and all other services. Those looking for a clean and sleek dormitory-style youth hostel may want to consider U Hostels, also within walking distance of major attractions.
The 39-room, two-and-a-half-pearl Oriente Hostal is a nice step above your typical city budget hotel. Its rooms are individually decorated -- some with cheerful contemporary decor and others in a more classic style -- and have great amenities, including free Wi-Fi, small flat-screen TVs, safes, and air-conditioning. Most are small, and Individual Rooms are tiny, but all units are spotlessly clean and comfortable, and many have wonderful views of the Royal Theater. There are no amenities whatsoever here, but the location right in the heart of Madrid's historic center allows for easy access to restaurants, cafes, and all other services. Those looking for a clean and sleek dormitory-style youth hostel may want to consider U Hostels, also within walking distance of major attractions.
The 42-room U Hostels is a budget property with a convenient location in northern Chueca, near many bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the city's main LGBT venues. It's also just two blocks from the Alonso Martinez Metro station. Rooms are airy, bright, and clean, and the hostel is centrally air-conditioned. Private rooms are available with en-suite bathrooms, and one floor is reserved for women only. Dorms house up to 12 guests with shared bathrooms -- previous guests report that these are blissfully line free. Breakfast is available for a fee, and there's an on-site bar. Communal spaces include a kitchen, library, cinema, and a laundry room. Travelers looking for an alternative hostel in the area could consider the Hostal Zamora, but its rooms are bland compared to those at U Hostels.
The 42-room U Hostels is a budget property with a convenient location in northern Chueca, near many bars, restaurants, boutiques, and the city's main LGBT venues. It's also just two blocks from the Alonso Martinez Metro station. Rooms are airy, bright, and clean, and the hostel is centrally air-conditioned. Private rooms are available with en-suite bathrooms, and one floor is reserved for women only. Dorms house up to 12 guests with shared bathrooms -- previous guests report that these are blissfully line free. Breakfast is available for a fee, and there's an on-site bar. Communal spaces include a kitchen, library, cinema, and a laundry room. Travelers looking for an alternative hostel in the area could consider the Hostal Zamora, but its rooms are bland compared to those at U Hostels.
First opened in 2013, the Eurostars Plaza Mayor is an upscale, contemporary hotel that's walking distance to major attractions such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and the Prado Museum. Rooms have stylish decor in a red and white palette, and feature solid amenities including big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. The hotel lacks many of the amenities of larger properties (there is no fitness center and no full restaurant), but it does have a spacious rooftop breakfast room with a lovely terrace, and a small business center with one computer. On-site parking is a great perk, but parking prices are steep even for central Madrid. Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via has similar rates and more amenities, including a fitness center and three on-site restaurants.
First opened in 2013, the Eurostars Plaza Mayor is an upscale, contemporary hotel that's walking distance to major attractions such as Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, and the Prado Museum. Rooms have stylish decor in a red and white palette, and feature solid amenities including big flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. The hotel lacks many of the amenities of larger properties (there is no fitness center and no full restaurant), but it does have a spacious rooftop breakfast room with a lovely terrace, and a small business center with one computer. On-site parking is a great perk, but parking prices are steep even for central Madrid. Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via has similar rates and more amenities, including a fitness center and three on-site restaurants.
The 226-room Nuevo Madrid is an upper-middle-range business hotel with competitive rates but a location removed from attractions. Perks here include free access to a small spa, free shuttle service to the city center on weekends, and on-site parking (for a fee). Rooms are simple but comfortable, with big beds, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, and though some overlook the highway, noise is not an issue. The restaurant serves a great breakfast buffet with local and international items, as well as a la carte lunch and dinner. Smaller bites and drinks are available at the lobby bar until late. Location, however, is better suited for business travelers or those who plan to take taxis, as the hotel is far from the city center and the Metro. For something more central, consider the 38-room HRC Hotel.
The 226-room Nuevo Madrid is an upper-middle-range business hotel with competitive rates but a location removed from attractions. Perks here include free access to a small spa, free shuttle service to the city center on weekends, and on-site parking (for a fee). Rooms are simple but comfortable, with big beds, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free Wi-Fi, and though some overlook the highway, noise is not an issue. The restaurant serves a great breakfast buffet with local and international items, as well as a la carte lunch and dinner. Smaller bites and drinks are available at the lobby bar until late. Location, however, is better suited for business travelers or those who plan to take taxis, as the hotel is far from the city center and the Metro. For something more central, consider the 38-room HRC Hotel.
Though the 85-room NH Palacio is housed in an 18-century building, it has a hip, modern vibe throughout. It is arguably the chicest hotel in the NH brand, with gorgeous rooms, a funky tapas bar, and on-site amenities such as a well-equipped business center and a small fitness center. Even standard rooms are large and feature up-to-date amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The design is modern with simple lines, beige furniture, pops of color, and hardwood floors. Though the hotel does not have a full spa (few hotels in Madrid do), it does offer a tranquil spot for massages. The convenient location -- within walking distance of the Atocha train station and numerous sights -- is also a draw.
Though the 85-room NH Palacio is housed in an 18-century building, it has a hip, modern vibe throughout. It is arguably the chicest hotel in the NH brand, with gorgeous rooms, a funky tapas bar, and on-site amenities such as a well-equipped business center and a small fitness center. Even standard rooms are large and feature up-to-date amenities such as flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and free Wi-Fi. The design is modern with simple lines, beige furniture, pops of color, and hardwood floors. Though the hotel does not have a full spa (few hotels in Madrid do), it does offer a tranquil spot for massages. The convenient location -- within walking distance of the Atocha train station and numerous sights -- is also a draw.
The Spanish Room Mate chain uses funky, bright design throughout their hotels, and the upper-middle-range 75-room Oscar is no different. Rooms feature quirky accents and modern amenities, like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and rainfall showers, though Standard Rooms can feel a little basic. Hotel amenities include a year-round, rooftop terrace bar, open until late night and to the public -- it's lively, so noise can sometimes be an issue. There's also a seasonal rooftop pool, though it costs an extra fee. Other perks include a nice lobby bar and a good breakfast buffet served until late, however it's not included in rates. Oscar is exceptionally well located in Chueca, too. It's a solid deal for the area -- the nearby Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via may have more amenities, but it can be nearly twice as expensive.
The Spanish Room Mate chain uses funky, bright design throughout their hotels, and the upper-middle-range 75-room Oscar is no different. Rooms feature quirky accents and modern amenities, like flat-screen TVs, minibars, and rainfall showers, though Standard Rooms can feel a little basic. Hotel amenities include a year-round, rooftop terrace bar, open until late night and to the public -- it's lively, so noise can sometimes be an issue. There's also a seasonal rooftop pool, though it costs an extra fee. Other perks include a nice lobby bar and a good breakfast buffet served until late, however it's not included in rates. Oscar is exceptionally well located in Chueca, too. It's a solid deal for the area -- the nearby Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via may have more amenities, but it can be nearly twice as expensive.
Fully renovated in mid-2018, the Icon Embassy is a stylish upper-middle-range boutique located on Madrid’s Golden Mile, surrounded by high-end boutiques and excellent dining, and near attractions and public transport. The 77 rooms are contemporary and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, top-notch beds, smart TVs, minibars, and great rainfall showers. Entry-level units, however, are tight, and some may find the monochromatic palette and uncluttered feel of rooms too minimal. The restaurant serves an excellent prix-fixe a la carte breakfast with a wide array of hot and cold options, as well as lunch and dinner, in a lovely greenhouse-style space off the lobby. H10 Villa de la Reina is a great alternative for those seeking something a little bit cheaper.
Fully renovated in mid-2018, the Icon Embassy is a stylish upper-middle-range boutique located on Madrid’s Golden Mile, surrounded by high-end boutiques and excellent dining, and near attractions and public transport. The 77 rooms are contemporary and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi, top-notch beds, smart TVs, minibars, and great rainfall showers. Entry-level units, however, are tight, and some may find the monochromatic palette and uncluttered feel of rooms too minimal. The restaurant serves an excellent prix-fixe a la carte breakfast with a wide array of hot and cold options, as well as lunch and dinner, in a lovely greenhouse-style space off the lobby. H10 Villa de la Reina is a great alternative for those seeking something a little bit cheaper.
Opened in 2015, the uber-modern Hotel Sidorme Fuencarral 52 is at the center of the action in Madrid, in the trendy, gay-friendly Chueca neighborhood. In the pedestrian zone among popular shops and cafes, this upper-middle-range property is part of a Spanish mini-chain specializing in inexpensive rooms with a focus on design. Its 44 rooms are bright and minimalist, with Juliet balconies and double-paned windows to keep out the noise of this lively quarter. Beyond the small lobby, the hotel’s only public spaces are a self-serve cafe area and a small, modish rooftop terrace. Those who like the value and the focus on design but want a few more amenities might consider the larger Room Mate Oscar. It’s in the same great neighborhood but also has a rooftop pool and bar/lounge.
Opened in 2015, the uber-modern Hotel Sidorme Fuencarral 52 is at the center of the action in Madrid, in the trendy, gay-friendly Chueca neighborhood. In the pedestrian zone among popular shops and cafes, this upper-middle-range property is part of a Spanish mini-chain specializing in inexpensive rooms with a focus on design. Its 44 rooms are bright and minimalist, with Juliet balconies and double-paned windows to keep out the noise of this lively quarter. Beyond the small lobby, the hotel’s only public spaces are a self-serve cafe area and a small, modish rooftop terrace. Those who like the value and the focus on design but want a few more amenities might consider the larger Room Mate Oscar. It’s in the same great neighborhood but also has a rooftop pool and bar/lounge.