Bypillow Castellana

The mini fridge was the biggest letdown. It wasn’t cooling properly, so I asked for help. A technician measured it at 12°C, and reception explained in English that this was normal because it wasn’t meant to work like a regular fridge. I don’t see the point of having one that doesn’t keep things cold. A quick search says mini fridges should be around 3-5 degrees. I later stayed at three other hotels in Madrid and Barcelona, and all their fridges worked properly, so calling this normal felt like avoiding responsibility. The location was convenient, and the rooms looked newly renovated, with clean rooms and comfortable beds. But the rates felt high for what was included. Housekeeping was uneven, too: used coffee cups weren’t cleaned and the sachets were never replenished. Maybe that’s standard, but at this price I shouldn’t have to buy my own coffee at a nearby supermarket. The hotel has potential, but the service and amenities didn’t justify the cost, and I left disappointed.

The one issue was the bathroom plumbing in room 209. It made a really loud noise, and the old taps made it hard to switch the shower function. Otherwise, we had a wonderful stay: comfy beds, clean rooms, good AC, a lovely pool, a breakfast buffet and friendly staff. The location was good too, close to Bernabéu stadium and metro links.

Breakfast was good, especially the fresh orange juice and the variety. The metro is about a 5-7 minute walk away, so the location is reasonable. The room felt small and dated for the price. Reception could be much better; the guy seemed uninterested in explaining the hotel, breakfast, checkout time or facilities.

Hellen and I had a special holiday at Luze Castellana Real Madrid, and we’re grateful to all the staff for making it such a lovely one. The service from the front desk and breakfast teams was beyond reproach. Monica from Reservations gave us a warm welcome and was amazing. She was resourceful, and her guidance helped make our travels go smoothly. Breakfast came with plenty of choices and a well-balanced, nutritious spread each morning. The breakfast club staff were great. Housekeeping and laundry also deserve thanks: our bedding, room and bathroom were spotless, which made the space comfortable and relaxing. We’ll recommend the hotel to friends and work colleagues, and we’ll be back. 👏🏾👏🏾