Courtyard by Marriott Madrid Princesa

Courtyard Madrid Princesa is a bit of a mixed bag for this international chain. First impressions are pleasant enough, as the big lobby has an exaggerated honeycomb-pattern tiled floor and lots of lime green, blue, or gray armchairs set around low cafe tables and chrome-necked floor lamps. However, certain other parts of the hotel -- including its meeting rooms and some guest rooms -- could use an additional refresh (the last took place in 2015). The hotel attracts a blend of business and leisure travelers, and it’s common to see arriving travelers overloaded with luggage, as well as flight attendants and pilots awaiting airport transfers. While no one really spends much time gathering in spots like the lobby, there is a patio for the hotel's restaurant that makes a decent place to grab a drink or light bite. Given its name-brand status, you'll find a mix of guests here, including families, couples, and those in town on business. 

The hotel has a convenient setting in Madrid's Arguelles neighborhood, and the shopping mall next door includes several retail and food outlets, like El Corte Ingles. The nearest metro stop is Arguelles, which is only a one-minute walk from the hotel. Nearby restaurants include tapas, Mexican, Thai, sushi, Peruvian, and Indian cuisines, and all are less than a 10-minute walk from the property. The Temple of Debod -- an ancient Egyptian shrine to Isis hat was imported from Aswan, Egypt, and rebuilt in the early 1970s -- is a 10-minute stroll away, as is Plaza de Espana and Gran Via -- the city's main retail and theater thoroughfare. You can reach the hipster-packed streets on Malasana by walking 10 to 15 minutes east, and it's also a 15-minute walk to the Royal Palace. Budget 30 to 40 minutes by metro to reach the Prado or Reina Sofia -- Madrid's two most famous museums. Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport is a 15- to 20-minute drive away, or a one-hour metro ride from the Courtyard Madrid Princesa. 

Unfortunately, Courtyard Madrid Princesa’s air-conditioned rooms aren’t created equal. The non-renovated rooms are tired and drab, and we'd suggest securing a room that was overhauled in the hotel's last renovations, which took place in 2015. These units are decked in sleek-lined furniture plus handsome gray and brown tones. King, queen, or two twin beds have white-on-white striped sheets with plush off-white headboards and oversized Baroque-style paintings of royalty. In fact, artwork in all rooms are prints derived from works in the Museo del Prado’s collection, adding a little local flair. 

Standard features include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, safes, irons and ironing boards, small flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and free bottled water. While most rooms have electric kettles, several past guests have complained that their rooms were missing this feature. Past guests have also noted that the air-conditioning isn't the most reliable, and noise from traffic outside the hotel can be bad. Additionally, we found the Wi-Fi here to be slower than other similar hotels in Madrid.

Bathrooms are spacious, with marble walls, floors, and double-sink vanities. Overall they’re well designed, and have beauty mirrors, hairdryers, bidets, and outlets that fit both European and U.S.-style cords. The bathroom's shower/tub combos have partial glass walls that swing out, making for an easy entrance (otherwise you’d have to navigate around the toilet). Toiletries are generous. Accessible rooms are also available, and cribs can be requested (for free).

Courtyard Madrid Princess has two food options, including a a pricy breakfast buffet that gets mixed reviews. It's an add-on, except for direct bookings. The Bistro is the property’s other eatery, with a fabulous outdoor patio. It has a Mediterranean menu and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The hotel’s gym is enormous. It’s actually a members-only gym, so you’ll be working out among local members using the countless weight machines, treadmills, and stationary bicycles. Other gym features include a pool (swim caps required) and free fitness classes, like spinning. It’s a big step up from other hotel fitness centers in the city. The lobby has computers for guests to use, plus an ATM and a sundry shop. Meeting and event spaces are also available. The hotel can assist in printing, booking tours, airport transfers, and babysitters. Garage parking underneath the hotel is available for a fee. There’s also free Wi-Fi in all guest rooms and throughout the hotel.