Hotel Plaza España by Melia

Formerly part of the Tryp branch of the Melia chain, Hotel Plaza España has gone from a classic, rather simple property to a solid upper-middle-range hotel with reasonable rates and stylish interiors. The property underwent extensive renovations in 2018, and now both common spaces and rooms are on par with somewhat pricier hotels in the area. The few areas that hadn’t been renovated when we visited in October 2018 offered a glimpse of what the hotel used to look like: the breakfast room still had the old wood paneling and generic cafeteria-style furniture, and the handful of non-renovated rooms had simple wooden furniture and a subdued earth-tone palette. However, renovated area are eye-catching and sleek. The lobby features wood-like tile floors, brushed gold accents, suede seating in gray and yellow, and discreet recessed lighting, while the lounge is decorated with cheerful seating in fuchsia, yellow, and gray. 

There aren’t many common areas here aside from a breakfast room with huge windows overlooking Gran Via, a small but well-equipped fitness center, and a living area with vending machines and seating -- but the hotel offers good value for travelers who don’t plan to spend much time on-site, with reasonable rates, excellent beds, and a solid breakfast buffet, though it is not always included in the standard rate. In this price range, the H10 Puerta de Alcala features a wonderful rooftop terrace with a small pool, bar, and panoramic views, but it is farther away from Sol (albeit closer to Prado Museum and Retiro park). Young travelers seeking something cheaper and hipper may want to check out Room Mate Oscar, which is in lively Chueca, and is home to a popular rooftop bar and pool. The Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via is a solid alternative for those wanting something with more on-site amenities. 

The hotel is located directly on Gran Via, an iconic major thoroughfare lined with shops and restaurants in the heart of the city center. This location offers easy walking access to top attractions, such as the Royal Palace, Templo de Debod park, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor, all of which can be found within a 10- to 15-minute walk of the hotel. Hip, young areas -- such as Malasaña and Chueca -- are also a short walk away, offering easy access to dining, shopping, and nightlife. There are several metro and bus stops within a five-minute walk of the hotel, which puts other major attractions -- including El Prado Museum, Cibeles, Reina Sofia Museum, and Retiro -- a short ride from the hotel. The airport is a 25-minute drive away.

The hotel has 112 rooms spread over 11 floors. The vast majority of units have been renovated and feature stylish contemporary decor with clean lines, a dark gray palette, cute anthracite wallpaper with golden designs, laminate floors, and yellow accent armchairs. Interior Standard units have not been renovated and have a simpler, more generic design, with plain wooden furniture and few ornaments aside from a white chair and reading lights. These units are also a tad smaller than the rest of the categories, but have big windows that add some visual space. Many rooms have balconies offering city views, while a number of units on the top floor have large terraces with plastic patio furniture. 

Standard amenities include top-notch mattresses, free Wi-Fi, safes, well-stocked minibars, air-conditioning, and LCD TVs. All but Standard Rooms are also outfitted with sound systems, electric kettles, robes, and slippers, while Premium units feature sofa beds. Family Rooms are huge and have separate areas with bunk beds, plus small seating areas that each have two armchairs and a coffee table. Bathrooms were not updated in the most recent round of renovations, and have a more classic style, with brown marble-like tiles throughout, shower/tub combos (shower stalls in Interior Standard units), and white sinks over black granite counters. Hairdryers and a full range of toiletries are provided in all rooms. 

A varied, tasty breakfast buffet with hot and cold options -- including a number of local specialties such as Iberian ham -- is served every morning for a fee in a large, light-filled room lined with windows overlooking Gran Via. No other meals are available on-site, and there is no bar, but guests can get snacks and hot and cold drinks in the first-floor lounge, complete with several vending machines and lots of comfortable seating. The gym is small but well-equipped with a good array of cardio and strength-training machines. Towels are available free of charge. The hotel is popular with business travelers, and features a spacious meeting room with audiovisual equipment. Underground parking is available at discounted rates at a nearby public lot.