Holiday Inn Madrid – Las Tablas

Formerly the High Tech Nueva Castellana, this hotel underwent some (largely cosmetic) renovations in 2013 to reopen as a member of the Holiday Inn family. Dating from 2001, the brown-tile facade and most of the signage were untouched by the transition and remain drab and functional in appearance. Interiors are a different story, with cheerful citrus-hued fabrics livening up a backdrop of latticework wall decoration and the property's original black marble floors. Just off the lobby, bar and dining areas extend out in similar decor with tangerine and lime green dressing up a monochrome background. While it's a solid hotel, the property was showing a bit of wear and the need for maintenance in spots during our visit. Primarily aimed at corporate travelers, the atmosphere is unsurprisingly transient and business-like with most guests on short-term stays or layovers. 

This hotel is located in the largely residential neighborhood of Las Tablas, close to the M40 ring road and on the northern outskirts of Madrid. There is nothing here for leisure travelers and, while there are a few bars and restaurants within walking distance, the area is mostly empty at night and on weekends. Las Tablas Metro station is a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and it connects to the capital's city center in around 30 minutes (with one change). The location is best suited for business travelers who want to avoid the city center and have easy access to IFEMA (Madrid’s fairgrounds), which is an 11-minute drive away, as well as the BBVA and Telefonica headquarters, a two-minute walk and a four-minute drive, respectively. The airport is a 15-minute drive away, which isn't much less than what it takes from the center in normal traffic conditions.

The hotel's 132 air-conditioned rooms are spread over nine floors. Views are nothing to speak of, with about half of the rooms overlooking the street and scrubland and the other the office and apartment blocks to the rear. On the plus side, decor throughout is smart in a modern combination of dark-wood veneer flooring, streamlined contemporary furniture, and occasional splashes of color from red or orange upholstery. Yet, despite a revamp in 2013, some rooms are showing signs of wear in places. Amenities include 28- or 32-inch flat-screen TVs (with pay-per-view movies), coffee- and tea-making facilities, and minibars; blackout drapes and pillow menus help add to their comfort level. Suites add separate lounges, slippers, and free bottled water. Behind frosted-glass doors, bathrooms are modern and fairly spacious, with shower/tub combos, walk-in rainfall showers, or both, plus proper hairdryers and decent toiletries (upgraded in Executive Rooms and suites). In-room Wi-Fi is free of charge and mostly works well. The location and typical type of customer means rooms tend to be very quiet. 

While fairly limited, the hotel's facilities cover the essentials. The small restaurant serves a buffet breakfast with the typical mix of cold cuts, cheese, pastries, fruit, and cereals; though not included in the rate the price is reasonable. The restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner offering a simple a la carte menu of Mediterranean-inspired food. A lobby bar opens throughout the day and into the evening. Room service is available well into the evening as well. Secure and covered parking is available for a daily fee, while a free shuttle bus runs between the hotel, airport and nearby businesses on weekdays (subject to availability). There's also a little fitness room and sauna.