Room Mate Oscar

Room Mate Oscar exhibits the same fun and funky, bright design that put this boutique hotel chain on the map. The exterior is stylish with walls of windows surrounded by sleek black, while the inside offers a more colorful, playful vibe. In the lobby, a dimensional mural secretly spells out "SEX" and "LOVE" on either wall, and the reception desk is situated in a capsule-shaped cutout within a glossy blue wall. Modern furniture upholstered in bright colors, mirrored ceilings, and lights glowing neon all add to the fun, offering a nice break from generic chains, but adventurous design shouldn't be confused with luxury -- beneath the playful furniture, this hotel is still very much a value property. There is one luxe benefit: a rooftop terrace and bar with great views, open to the public. The lively, late-night vibe isn't for everyone, though -- lines start queueing to the terrace before it's even open, and partying continues until late. 

Room Mate Oscar faces a pedestrian plaza on a small street parallel to Gran Via, a historic avenue that runs right through the heart of Madrid and is just a two-minute walk from the hotel. Its neighborhood, Chueca, with its narrow, winding streets full of small, intimate restaurants, lively bars, shops, cafes, and gay-friendly venues, is one of the nightlife hot spots in Madrid. Many major attractions, such as Cibeles, El Prado museum, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor, are under 20 minutes away on foot. For any sights farther out, the Gran Via metro is just a four-minute walk. Madrid-Barajas Airport is about 45 minutes via public transit or 20 minutes by car, depending on traffic. There's no on-site parking, but discounted rates are available at offsite parking.

Rooms vary slightly in decor but all reflect the modern-plus-quirky look that runs throughout the Room Mate chain. The most playful accents are the bright, abstract murals behind the beds and curved edges on the furniture. Entry-level rooms, however, are rather simple with wall-to-wall carpeting, white beds and walls, and blonde furniture jazzed up with boldly colored accents. Suites are trendier than rooms, with giant, snaking couches, private terraces, or cool modern bathtubs right in the bedrooms. Amenities in all categories include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, safes, minibars, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms tend to be basic (and sometimes bright) with walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, and individual toiletries. Note that noise can be an issue, especially in rooms near the rooftop terrace bar, which is open until late. 

The hotel's best amenity is its rooftop bar, a chic, all-season terrace with great city views, and lots of seating. It's open to the public from evening until a quite late, with lines sometimes starting in the hotel before the bar even opens. Drinks are a bit pricey, but the fee is probably more for the atmosphere. The roof is also home to the hotel's sundeck and pool. The pool is stylish, but not very large, only open seasonally, and guests are charged an extra fee to use it -- sometimes it's fully booked. The property also has a stylish lobby bar and serves a daily breakfast buffet. While breakfast is not included in the room rate, guests tend to agree it's reasonably priced and note that it's served until late. There is no room service, full-service restaurant, gym, or business center. A few meeting rooms give trendy spaces for business travelers to brainstorm, and Wi-Fi is free throughout. The front desk is open 24 hours, and staff can assist with luggage storage, laundry service, and ticket assistance.