This was a last-minute change of plan, as I had to get the train to Madrid the following day and the hotel is very close to the station. I stayed here about two years ago and if anything it has got better since. I'm not sure why it's described as a 'boutique' hotel: the foyer is very grand wth marble and mirrors, and there's a bar with snacks (there's also a more formal restarant but I haven't eaten there). The room was fab: huge, kingsize bed, large sofa and armchair, big workdesk with three sockets (count 'em) and free (!) high-speed wifi. Big, flat-screen TV with 20-30 channels including BBC World, spotless bathroom and automatic heating/air conditioning - a boon on a freezing-cold January night. Best of all was the room service (one of my little luxuries after a day's gruelling travelling), delivered in less than half an hour and served on a white linen table cloth with a bottle of the house red (er - and a large brandy). Just an excellent place, and at €105 a night (room only) it beats the living daylights out of much more pretentious hotels. I loved it, and I will be back.
- Sol Melia Valladolid
