Hotel Petit Palace Santa Barbara

Everything about the Petit Palace Santa Barbara exudes youthful energy, from the lively sidewalk cafes of Plaza Santa Barbara, just outside its door, to the small, stylish lobby with eye-catching light fixtures and pleather couches. Tucked in the interior courtyard, the welcoming bar area is leafy and pleasant, with fireplaces built into the wall for chilly evenings, cool seating, and string lights. Guests stop here for an après-dinner drink before heading out to neighborhood restaurants or a nightcap after a full day on the town. With its four-person Family Rooms and six-person rooms -- hard to find, especially at this price point -- the hotel attracts families with children, adding another dimension to the fresh, young vibe.

On the edge of Chueca, the hotel is near dozens of restaurants and cafes, and some major attractions are within easy walking distance. Chueca is one of the city's nightlife hot spots, with small, intimate restaurants, lively bars, and gay-friendly venues. From Thursday to Sunday night, hordes of young locals and tourists descend upon this vibrant neighborhood for bar-hopping, tapas or romantic dinners, and dancing till the early morning. The subway, the bus, and even the train are nearby, but there are so many attractions within close proximity that visitors may prefer to walk to spots.- Five-minute walk to restaurants, bars, shops, and nightlife spots

• 11-minute walk to Gran Via
• 13-minute walk to Cibeles
• 15-minute walk to Puerta del Sol public square
• 15 minutes  via public transportation to Retiro Park (six-minute drive)
• 16 minutes via public transportation to Templo de Debod Park (nine-minute drive)
• 17 minutes ride via public transportation to Plaza Mayor public square (10-minute drive)
• 20 minutes via public transportation to El Prado Museum (five-minute drive)
• 18-minute drive from Madrid-Barajas Airport

Rooms at the Petit Palace Santa Barbara are modern, stylish, and spacious, in an urban color palette of black, white, and gray plus minimalist decor. Thick, comfy mattresses sit atop simple palletlike platforms. White desks have sleek plastic chairs and hold coffeemakers and a selection of snacks; stocked minibars are inside simple black armoires. Technology is a strong point here: rooms have laptops, free Wi-Fi, large personal safes, and iPod docks; those in higher categories come with iPods with MiFi to allow connectivity outside the hotel. In addition to the usual Double Rooms, the hotel offers Family Rooms for five and Sextuple Rooms for six, both with bunk beds. Some rooms have Juliette balconies and come with slippers and robes. Those overlooking the busy plaza below can be noisy, especially at night when the bars close. Bathrooms are large and attractive, with floor-to-ceiling gray slate tile, raised basin sinks, and oversize showers with rainfall showerheads. All come with the hotel group’s signature toiletries and hairdryers.

The Petit Palace Santa Barbara lacks the big-ticket amenities of its advertised four-pearl status. The hotel’s restaurant, which doubles as the breakfast room, is stylish and attractive with exposed-brick and stone walls, but the food doesn’t get raves for the price. The welcoming central courtyard houses the hotel’s small bar area, where crackling in-wall fireplaces and a veritable garden of greenery create a cozy atmosphere. The expensive breakfast buffet includes a good variety of options including fresh fruit and vegetables, rolls and breads, Iberian ham and pork loin, local cheeses, scrambled eggs, bacon, cereals, and yogurt. Petit Palace has bicycles to borrow for free, laundry service is available, and pets are welcome. Two attractive meeting rooms with technology hold 50 people each. Wi-Fi is free throughout.