Hotel Abalu

Young couples are drawn to Hotel Abalú for its funky rooms -- some of which feature jetted tubs in the middle of the room -- and for its central location near major attractions and nightlife. The lobby is a small space with a curved front desk featuring blue neon lights and covered in mirrors. Adjacent to the front desk is a stylish sitting area with pink and black sofas, and a glass wall separating it from the bar. This quirky style extends to the rest of the hotel, but all rooms have unique decor and palettes, ranging from bright pink to all-white. While to some this may be a welcome departure from more generic options, the bright colors, bold style, and superposition of patterns and prints may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

The hotel is centrally located on a small cobblestone street in hopping Malasaña neighborhood. There are dozens of bars and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk in any direction, and Chueca -- Madrid’s lively gay area -- is just a few blocks away. The hotel is within walking distance of many major attractions, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, and Cibeles. For longer distances guests can take the metro, the bus or a taxi, all of which can be found a short walk away.

Each of the hotel’s 30 rooms has been individually designed and features unique decor. There are rooms with pink accent walls, rooms with large wall murals in black and white, and even rooms with suspended beds and neon lights. Every single one of them has its own style and palette -- so while there are a few that can feel a little overdone to some, others have more subdued (but still stylish) decor in whites and browns. The hotel occupies the first two floors of an apartment building, and most rooms face a small courtyard that makes them a tad dark. Flat-screen TVs, minibars, air-conditioning, and Tempur mattresses are all standard amenities. Some rooms have a few nice extras, such as Nespresso coffeemakers, Smart TVs, and jetted tubs in the middle of the room. There is a fee for Wi-Fi and for use of in-room projectors (available only in Junior Suites). The Presidential Suite features a Mac Mini.

Breakfast is served daily in the small bar off the lobby. The space features cute decor with black and white checkered floor tiles, funky wallpaper, and white wrought iron chairs and tables. The partner restaurant is a few doors down, and serves solid Mediterranean cuisine in a hip space. Guests driving to Madrid can book a spot in the hotel’s parking lot for a daily fee. The property also offers a number of outstanding services, such as personal shoppers, Segway and laptop rentals, and airport shuttle service, all for a fee.