Tryp Madrid Atocha Hotel

Tryp Madrid Atocha is housed in two lovely historic buildings, the older of which dates back to 1913. Although the majority of the original architectural details are gone, some features from the early 20th century remain. The gray stone facade is elegant and imposing, with an arched wrought-iron entrance gate that lends the property a classic, stately appearance. The airy hall is no less monumental, with ornate ceilings, a large mirror with a golden frame, and a few Classical columns. Some of the hotel’s meeting rooms and transit areas, including the grand marble staircases and the pre-function space, also retain some of the original features, but the rest of the common spaces have been renovated and lack this grandeur. While the hotel is popular with business travelers and groups of tourist during the week, on weekends most guests are Spanish and European couples and families. The lack of on-site amenities means the property is generally quiet during the day, but the hotel is located on a busy street and the atmosphere right outside the front door is lively and a even a little loud sometimes.

The hotel is located on Atocha street, a busy thoroughfare connecting Atocha train station to Plaza Mayor and La Latina neighborhood. It's a bustling part of town, with dozens of restaurants, bars, and shops, and three of the most important museums in Madrid -- the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Thyssen Bornemisza -- are within a five-minute walk. Most other major attractions, such as Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Retiro Park, the Royal Palace, and the cathedral can also be reached on foot in 10 to 20 minutes. This location is also convenient for visitors taking high-speed trains to other parts of Spain, as Atocha train station is just a 10-minute walk down the street. The airport is a 40-minute drive or 40-minute metro ride away. The 24-hour express buses to the airport stop three blocks from the hotel. 

The hotel has 149 clean, comfortable rooms ranging from tiny single units with a twin bed to spacious Family Rooms with a king bed, folding bunk beds, and seating areas. Decor is generic and simple throughout, with thin pastel-blue bed runners, navy chairs, and basic wooden furniture with clean lines. Wooden floors, warm lights, and silver-framed prints make rooms a little cozier. Most units have large windows overlooking the street, but a few are interior-facing and can be dark. All rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, safes, and minibars stocked with water, sodas, beer, and snacks, and in-room Wi-Fi is free. Premium Rooms also feature kettles, robes, slippers, irons and ironing boards, and Dreamax mattresses; Fitness Rooms have either an elliptical machine or a treadmill. Tan-tile bathrooms are clean and spacious, and feature shower/tub combos with glass shields, and an array of toiletries.

Tryp Madrid Atocha is missing some of the features often expected for a mid-range hotel -- there's no full restaurant or full fitness center -- but it does provide a few serviceable extras that appeal to on-the-go tourists and business travelers. A varied, quality buffet is served daily in a large breakfast room decorated with huge black-and-white photos of Madrid landmarks. It includes meats, cheese, fresh fruit, breads, pastries, juices, and coffee or tea, plus hot items such as eggs and sausages. During the day the small lobby bar offers sandwiches, salads, burgers and snacks. Room service is available until late at night, and a pizza chain and a local sushi restaurant deliver to the hotel on request. The Tryp features six meeting rooms, three of which have natural light. The largest one is a stunning hall with plenty of historic details such as ornate ceiling moldings and stained glass windows. It can be rented out for weddings as well as for larger corporate events. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, and the hotel can arrange airport transfer services through a third party.