Hotel Eurostars Plaza Mayor

Located on the site of a historic handball court, this property has a blend of original architectural details, such as stained glass windows, and contemporary elements. Although the lobby is simple and somewhat generic, the white mosaic tile-clad front desk and dark accent walls add some style. A number of decor accents found throughout the building are a nod at the hotel’s location in a traditional popular neighborhood, including large color photos of nearby historic sights, and quotes by several Madrid-born songwriters printed on walls. A small lounge with contemporary decor in metallic and crimson hues doubles as the business center, complete with a computer and printing services. This dark color scheme with silver and gold accents and clean lines continues in the rooftop breakfast room, which also features a lovely terrace with pleasant city views and a few plants. While the overall feel is a tad generic, touches such as smart lamps and red tufted leather-style couches lend common areas a chic modern style.

The hotel is located on a quiet one-way street in a popular neighborhood in central Madrid. There are plenty of local businesses and cafes around, and the vibe is lively, especially during the weekends, when the neighborhood hosts the city’s most famous flea market, El Rastro. The hotel’s central location allows guests to walk to most major attractions, including Plaza Mayor, Prado Museum, Puerta el Sol, and the Royal Palace in under 15 minutes. La Latina and Chueca -- two of the city’s most famous nightlife areas -- are also within a 15-minute walk of the hotel, and Cibeles Square, Puerta de Alcala and Retiro Park can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. High-end shopping along Serrano is a 25-minute metro ride away, and it’s 15 minutes by metro to AVE high-speed trains at Atocha station. The airport is a 30-minute drive or 40-minute metro ride away. 

The hotel has 92 rooms, all featuring wooden floors and large windows, many with lovely stained glass designs. Decor is contemporary and cute, with a crimson and black color scheme, contemporary wallpaper with silver geometric designs, and black accents in desks and closets. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, individual air-conditioning, safes, and minibars, but rooms lack coffeemakers. Some units are a little tight, but most rooms have space for at least a small armchair, and Superior Rooms have a two-seater couch and a small coffee table. There are also two Junior Suites with a sofa bed for an extra guest. Bathrooms are clean and contemporary, with Hierbas de Ibiza toiletries, and either walk-in rain showers or shower/tub combos with rain showerheads. 

A continental breakfast with breads, pastries, ham, cheese, yogurt and fresh juices is served every morning for a fee on the rooftop breakfast room. Adjacent to the dining area is a lovely terrace with a few tables and a handful of umbrellas where guests can have breakfast with a view. Food, however, gets mixed reviews. On the lobby level, a small lounge offers one computer and printing services, and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. The hotel is connected via an elevator to a public parking lot right below the building, but guests don’t get special rates and prices can be steep, even for the city center. The hotel also features a small bar with a decent drinks menu and a quiet vibe.