I needed a hotel for a two night solo stay in Madrid as I was attending a concert on Saturday night. I knew from previously visiting lovely Madrid that a central location is very important for a hotel, because distances can be huge there. It is a vast and diverse city. The metro is very clean, cheap and efficient but who wants to spend half of each day travelling ?

I booked a lastminute.com "Top secret Hotel" listed as near the Plaza de Espana for a very attractive price thinking i could bear almost anything for two nights as long as it was central.

When the name and location were revealed I was very pleased, the Hotel Coloso has one of the best downtown locations for exploring by foot in all Madrid.

Easy to find and reach, a short walk from either Plaza De Espana or Santo Domingo metro stations the Hotel Coloso looks modern and attractive on first view, its polished granite facings standing out against the old brownstones.

Reception is not opulent but is comfortable and welcoming. The night receptionist who greeted my late arrival was charm itself, assigning me room 616 in the attic. I also took advantage of the €10 breakfast offer.

Access to the roofspace rooms is quaint, but no hassle with my small travel case. It was a converted attic room, with a velux window.overlooking Madrileno rooftops. Not a panoramic view, but a very interesting one !

The room was somewhat tired in decoration , but well appointed with a splendid bathroom, modern TV and huge queen sized bed. The aircon and heater worked well, but i did not need them during my stay. The room was perfectly warm enough against the winter hill without extra heat.

The bed was firm and comfortable, just as I liked it, but the mattress was sagging somewhat.

The room faced the street, and being next to a police station meant there was street noise and sirens, but as for me I EXPECT such when I visit an exciting metropolis like Madrid. The double glazed velux window kept 99% of such sound out anyway.

The breakfast buffet was plentiful and of good quality. The cafe con leche from the machines there was heavenly, and fresh juices and breads abounded. Staff again were very efficient and friendly.

The day staff helped me with maps and information, again highly commended.

Downsides ? No bar or restaurant was a pity, but these are easily found in this quarter of Madrid.

Also looking back I think that the attic rooms of the sixth floor are reserved for "internet bargain" travellers, as I caught a glimpse of a suite on the 5th floor when it was being serviced and it was a class above in appointments and opulence than mine, but I have no complaints. A lick of paint in the attic rooms is all that is required.

All in all the Hotel Coloso added hugely to my weekend in Madrid, and for the price I paid ( €50 per day) for a comfortable and safe city-centre hotel i would recommend it strongly for independent travellers.

We stayed at this hotel in July 2011, the hotel is centrally located, near to a few tube stations and is very clean and comfortable!
I'd recommend it for a short stay!

The hotel is located just next to Grand Via, 5 minutes walk to the Royal Palace and very close to the all sights of Madrid, perfect location, but that's the only positive about the hotel.

We got a room which was facing to the street, we really could not sleep as it was so noisy during the whole night.We felt that there is not separation between the room and the noise of the street. The room was clean and spacious, but the furnitures are tired and the windows are not soundproofed. The bathroom was clean and spacious.

We did not try the breakfast as it seemed too expensive for 15.5€ when there are several great bars in the neighbourhood.

In my opinion it is ridiculous that you have to give 20€ deposit for using the safe in the room in a 4 star category...

If you are lucky and get a room which is not facing to the street you might not be as disappointed but this hotel is definately not 4 star but 3.

We booked a Romantic week, with a double room. The rooms were very small and the bed also. The first night we slept in room 128, that was terible: very small, very noisy and close to the street.

After complaining we got another room, but it was very simple