Hotel Nido Príncipe Pío

The rooms are tiny, even by European standards, and the single pillow per person wasn’t comfortable. There are so many lights in the small space that sleeping is difficult. The location, though, is excellent, close to lots of attractions and just steps from the Royal Palace. Staff were friendly and ready to help. I’d stay again, but I’d bring my own pillows and find a way to darken the room.

The place was clean and well located, but it didn’t really feel like a hotel. It felt more like student halls for rich kids, who were around in large numbers and easy to hear. The rooms are functional, but the kitchenette is misleading: there’s no crockery, cooking gear, or dish soap. They couldn’t approve my late checkout request. I probably wouldn’t return, though I can’t point to any specific complaint.

The worst part was our first-floor room facing the street. People shouted outside until 3 a.m., and it was impossible to sleep. The rooms are basic, and the shower temperature wouldn’t stay regulated, with very hot water coming out at times and burning us. The location is handy for getting around Madrid, right opposite the Metro and train station.

My view from the back of the property was a lovely little lake. There’s a gym, luggage storage, a cafe, and plenty of space to sit quietly or meet. The building is relatively new and cleverly laid out, right opposite a Metro station that also has a shopping mall, with restaurants and cafés all around. Still, it doesn’t feel like a hotel. It seems better suited to young students than business travellers or families with kids. The rooms are small but functional, more like hostel rooms than hotel rooms. They advertise serviced apartments with full kitchens, but there are no utensils unless you rent them for €5 a day. It’s a small amount, but the arrangement is silly. The place isn’t cheap and definitely doesn’t feel like the advertised four stars. At this price, you can find much better serviced hotels in Madrid. Check-in was painful. My scheduled time was 3 p.m.; I arrived around 10 a.m. because of my flight and had requested an early room, understanding it depended on availability. At 13:30 I asked if it was ready, and it wasn’t. Same answer at 14:30. I went back up at 15:15 and it was ready. I felt they’d deliberately held back a room until the official time. I saw the two young women at reception roll their eyes at each other, which was not acceptable in hospitality. I won’t name them. The young man on the night shift was much more helpful. Stay here only if you have no other option. For the same price, you can get a better hotel that actually feels like one.