Petit Palace Triball

A charming 19th-century facade with wood-shuttered windows, balustrade balconies, and wrought iron details make the Petit Palace Triball inviting from the start. Plenty of natural light pours into the stylish lobby lounge and breakfast room through floor-to-ceiling windows, and the space mixes cozy sofas and homey wood furnishings with trendy lighting and calming blue tones. The five-floor boutique property's personalized level of service and intimate atmosphere are a strong selling point. Clientele are mostly Spanish leisure travelers on a city break to their capital and a mix of other Europeans. The hotel is a top choice for vacationing couples and a popular pick for families traveling with kids.  

While the entrance to the hotel is on a side street, one side of the hotel overlooks the bustling Gran Via, a historic avenue in the heart of Madrid. The surrounding area buzzes with restaurant, bars, and shopping, and is one of the liveliest streets in Spain both the day and night. There are plenty of attractions within walking distance -- such as the Royal Palace and Plaza Major -- as well as several metro stops within a five-minute walk, including the major transport hub of the Puerto del Sol that connects throughout the city. The Chueca nightlife district, with its narrow, winding streets full of intimate restaurants, lively bars, and gay-friendly venues, is also just a few blocks away. Madrid's Barajas Airport is about a 25-minute drive from the hotel, or approximately 35 minutes by public transportation. 

While offering a modest 61 guest rooms in all, there's an impressive range of options, from regular Doubles all the way up to units that sleep groups of six with bunk beds. Updated in 2017, room decor is unfussy and modern, with hardwood floors, formica fixtures, and monochrome color schemes. The vast majority of untis overlook the street, with many offering views off Gran Via, some from small balconies. Despite the location, when windows and doors are closed, street noise is minimal. Standard amenities include huge 49-inch smart TVs (with a good amount of English-speaking channels), reasonably-priced minibars, safes, and individually-controlled air-conditioning. In-room Wi-Fi is free though can be spotty. Upgraded rooms add slippers and electric kettles. While frosted glass doors don't always offer much in the way of privacy, bathrooms are streamline and attractive, with walk-in rainfall showers, wall-mounted soap dispensers, and hairdryers.

Petit Palace Triball has limited facilities and common areas. There's no full-service restaurant on-site, but breakfast is served daily for an extra charge in the ground-floor lounge, with an excellent spread of hot and cold items that include freshly squeezed orange juice and smoothies. The hotel lacks a gym, but Wi-Fi is free throughout and guests have use of a "Mi-Fi" service for small daily charge, enabling mobile internet access outside the hotel. Free loaner iPads and bicycles are also available, and the hotel welcomes small pets.