Best thing about this hotel was the reception staff. Our first introduction was arriving in a state of shock at having had a wallet pickpocketed on the metro on the way from the hotel. The staff on the desk were instantly attentive, phoned the police for us, wrote out a statement in Spanish for us, directed us to the police station and there was an internet linked computer free of charge for use by guests. And unfortunately they had to do the same thing the following day when a phone was also lifted when we were on a bus in the city. The star employee was Alex, who was both genuinely sympathetic and super efficient (Thank you Alex!). Apart from that we didn't eat in the hotel, but the rooms were kept perfectly clean each day. The views from the hotel are not fantastic. It is a bit of a walk from the metro but bus 105 goes right past on the way there. Buy a 'travelcard' metro/bus ticket (19EURO for 5 days is very good value) to hop on and off all day long. And there is a Lidl and a supermarket just around the corner, so buying picnic stuff and cheap drinks each day was a breeze (although they closed for the Thursday before Easter as well as Good Friday). Despite the trauma (please be warned, they see you coming!) we had a great time in Madrid and loved the amazing architecture, museums and parks.
- Barcelo Hotel Madrid
- Barcelo Hotel Torre Arias
