You couldn't get a better location than this small friendly hotel only minutes from the Monastery of San Lorenzo. The twin room we stayed in was spotless and had a well-equipped mini-bar that didn't break the bank. The heating system was excellent. (A great relief as our visit was in February during the coldest weather and heaviest snowfall seen for thirty years).
We tried breakfast in the small restaurant adjoining the cafeteria and tapas in the latter and both were tasty, economically priced and served by a very pleasant camarero. This hotel was a much nicer experience than many four star establishments but the big problem is that there is no parking or garage. We had to park in a parking bay on the street opposite the hotel or in a public car park around the corner. Neither of these were a cheap option and the street parking required regular euro top ups.
However, El Escorial is well worth a visit if you like religious art and have an interest in tombs, as the Monastery is awash with both and it is only a short drive to Franco's burial place at the Valle de Los Caidos. Both proved to be a fascinating if eerie experience given the wintry weather and lack of tourists.
The town itself has many good restaurants, obviously catering to visiting madrilenos, and some quirky local bars and cafes. The plethora of graffiti which is becoming noticeable in many Spanish towns is a disappointment. I wouldn't plan to spend more than one or two nights here unless you intend to use this as a base to tour the other historical towns of Avila, Toledo, Salamanca and Segovia and then a hotel with better parking would be appropriate. However, there is a good rail and bus service directly into Madrid if you prefer not to risk the ever increasingly complicated road system which now surrounds Madrid.
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
