Holiday Inn Madrid – Bernabeu

Housed in a tall concrete-and-glass tower in Madrid’s financial district, the Holiday Inn blends in perfectly with the many office buildings found in the neighborhood. Even inside, the hotel has a distinctly business feel, with a spacious lobby area busy in the mornings with conference attendees, business travelers, and airline crews, and a work area with a sleek glass desk and black office chairs. A tiny but hip lobby bar decorated with a chalkboard accent wall and copper filament bulbs is a welcome departure from the all-business vibe here, which is particularly evident during the week. On weekends, however, the hotel’s location across the street from the Bernabeu Stadium, home of the Real Madrid team, draws dozens of soccer fans, and couples and families profit from the quiet surroundings offering easy access to nightlife, shopping, and public transportation. This mix of guest types is reflected in the range of amenities offered at the Holiday Inn Madrid, which include meeting rooms, a seasonal rooftop pool, and a spa. 

The last top-to-bottom renovation was in 1999, and the hotel is starting to show some age, especially in the rooms. Some common areas, however, have received updates, including the lobby, the rooftop deck, and a few rooms. The style is generic and dated throughout, but the varied on-site amenities and overall comfort make it a reasonable pick for a quick city break or a business trip.

The hotel is located on a quiet pedestrian square adjacent to a large shopping mall and several office buildings. Just a block away is Castellana, one of Madrid’s major thoroughfares, but although the area is busy during the day, the neighborhood empties out at night. The Real Madrid stadium is right across the Castellana from the hotel, and Santiago Bernabeu metro station, served by the 10 line, is just a block away. One of the neighboring towers is home to a few pubs and restaurants, but the metro is in the opposite direction of the hotel and few partiers venture this way. Another nightlife area known as Avenida de Brasil can be found a few blocks away, and there are plenty of restaurants, bars, and shops along Orense Street, which is just across the square from the hotel. Most major attractions, however, are a half-hour metro ride away, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, the Prado Museum, and Retiro Park. The airport can be reached in about 20 minutes by car, or 30 by metro. 

The hotel has 313 rooms, all exterior-facing and equipped with soundproofed windows. Decor is classic but dated and cookie-cutter throughout, with navy or gray carpets, heavy wooden furniture, and red bed runners and accent pillows. A few have been renovated and feature a slightly more contemporary style, with laminate floors, black-and-white artwork on walls, and cuter light fixtures. Although not  stylish, all rooms are clean, and well-equipped, with free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles (a rarity in Madrid), safes, and minibars. Executive Rooms and suites also feature robes and slippers, as well as a wider selection of toiletries. Guests staying in other room types can request additional toiletries at no extra charge. Marble bathrooms are typical for a mid-range hotel, with basic shower/tub combos, granite counters, and wall-mounted hairdryers. The poor soundproofing between rooms is a common complaint among guests.

A varied breakfast buffet is offered daily at the hotel’s only restaurant, located in a spacious, sunny space with large windows and outdoor seating. The restaurant is also open for lunch, and features lunch deals offering decent value, including Spanish specialties and international options. The small lobby bar serves drinks and snacks throughout the day, and offers plenty of seating space for a quiet nightcap or a casual meeting. For larger events, the hotel has nine meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment and catering services. One of the Holiday Inn’s best perks is its small but lovely seasonal rooftop pool, complete with loungers, a bar, and panoramic city and mountain views. The hotel also features a small fitness center with a handful of cardio and strength-training machines, and special guest rates at a public parking lot connected to the hotel via an elevator. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.