This hotel is an ideal loaction for exploring. It's just set back from the Grand Via and very close to the metro, tourist bus service and many of the sights. My sister and I shared a small room at the front of the hotel which was adaquate for our needs as it only served as a base and a place to lay our haeds after exploring the city. On arrival the girl on reception barely acknowledged our existence and this continued pretty much throughout our stay. I do not expect everyone to speak English but we found we were treated with complete indifference for the duration of our stay (3 nights). Breakfast was very simple and we were only given 2/3 sweet croissants with a choice of toast if required. Juice & coffee were provided. Location wise this hotel was perfect but we were left feeling very unwelcome by the staff.

Habíamos reservado una habitación con dos camas pero nos dieron una con cama doble. La habitación muy pequeña sin ningún tipo de insonorizacion( se puede oir hasta la respiración de las otras habitaciones) cuenta con tan sólo una silla para sentarse ( si se supone que es doble debiera haber por lo menos dos-digo yo-). Entrada directamente desde el hall de la planta sin tan siquiera un pequño pasillo ( o mini hall) dentro de la habitación que la aisle tanto visual como auditivamente. En fin, a pesar de su pretenciosidad publicitaria, un hotel pésimo y caro ya que la relación calidad precio es lamentable.

This hotel is absolutely perfect for that long weekend away. It is literally off the Grand Via (the main shopping strip) but is double glazed and air conditioned so no noise and no worries about the heat! The staff are smiley and always their to help. We didnt try the breakfast (5euros) becuase you can get it cheaper elsewhere but the free interent and coffee in the mornings was a bonus. We had an exterior room which was great . the shower was amazing - a real power shower and the room was more than big enough for 2 people. I have no experience of the interior, smaller rooms but if the aircon works and the bed is comfy i wouldn't worry myself, you only sleep in the room anyway! Madrid itself isa great city, Beautiful parks and buildings, the palace is amazing. Dont be fooled by the maps ...it is not as big as they make out. what looks like a long trek on the map is actually only a short walk...on all maps bizarely. if you need to get to the outskirts ie airport, Real Madrid Stadium...take the train. it is so easy to use and airconditioned. Buy a 10 journey pass for (6.40euros, or single journey for 1 euro) For the kids the adventure park in the big park is great fun and can be reached from the bottom of the cable car. This cable car goes right accross the city and has amazing views (3euros each). definately worth it. My only gripe is that if you are on a budget food is not good. They dont seem to take a lot of pride in their food or service of it unless youa re paying more money. But follow thier lead..order lots of little things and share, its not like the UK where everyone has a meal to themselves - its tapas country after all! Watch out for small kids being overfriendly - one tried to have my wallet but i caught him. Take a book with some pre-written phrases. Madrid is not like France or anywhere else ive been - do not ever expect anyone to speak english. we were their for 4 days and spoke to 2 people who could speak english. We should be maiking the effort anyway.

This hotel is centrally situated in Madrid close to shops and restaurants and within easy walking distance of all major tourist attractions. Rooms are of two types -- interior and exterior. The former face onto a tiny light well at the rear of the building, while the latter have windows onto the street. The interior rooms are really very small indeed, have no light coming in through the frosted windows, and smell of cooking breakfast in the morning. The exterior rooms are larger, contain more furniture, and are much lighter and brighter. If you are a mole you might prefer the interior room; if you are a human who enjoys daylight I would certainly recommend that you go for an exterior room. However, I emailed the hotel several weeks before my arrival to ask for an exterior room but my request was ignored. After staying in a dungeon-like interior room for one night I was fortunately able to move to one that faced the street. Noise from outside is not a problem as the windows are double-glazed. However, noise from inside the hotel is very significant as the walls seem to be made of cardboard. It is possible to hear EVERY word from the room next door (this is no exaggeration). The rooms are not huge, and two people with a lot of luggage might find them a bit of a squeeze. However, they are very clean, bedding is spotless, and the bathroom is well appointed with a very powerful shower and also a bidet. Staff at reception are very helpful and friendly, offering advice, making 'phone calls for guests, or simply chatting with guests (I am a bi-lingual speaker of English and Spanish, however, so perhaps this facilitated communication). This is a fair place to stay if you need a room in a three-star hotel in central Madrid. However, I've stayed in other places nearby (all full due to the Spanish holiday for 1st May) and they have much bigger rooms, wooden floors (instead of carpet, the hygiene of which is always suspect), and bathtubs, and are cheaper, so in general I would stay in them in preference to the Negresco. The breakfast seemed a bit overpriced for a continental breakfast -- the Hotel Dos Castillas, the Cafeteria Zahara, Cafeteria Ovni, etc. -- all nearby -- usually do a deal for under three Euros, or under two Euros if you don't take the orange juice.

Located close to the very heart of Madrid. Our room was fairly small, but was fine in every way really. Aircon worked, there was a little fridge for keeping water cool, and no street noise, though the walls are as thin as most Spanish hotels we've stayed at. Free internet access and a smart bar for breakfast.