Ibis Budget Madrid Calle 30

The pillows were really uncomfortable, and the hotel had no spares. Staff were pleasant, though, and it’s a handy base for seeing Madrid. There’s a 24-hour Carrefour nearby, which was useful, and the Metro station into the city is very close.

I was up again and again over three nights because my nose got blocked and I couldn’t breathe while asleep. I’m not sure whether it was an allergic reaction to the detergent on the sheets, but it was a bit rough. Apart from that, the hotel was very nice. I usually choose Ibis because the prices are reasonable for the room service.

It’s clean, the service was good and friendly, and the Metro and a supermarket are close by. But the room smelled bad, and the shower door didn’t shut properly, so water could get out. The toilet has a sliding door with a gap underneath, meaning you can hear sounds and smells can reach the room. I’ve stayed in plenty of Ibis hotels, and this was one of the worst.

Edit: the hotel has now reconsidered and issued a refund. The Andalucia rail disaster happened the day before our booking, when two high-speed trains collided, wrecking the tracks and killing dozens in Spain’s worst rail disaster in more than a decade. That route was our only way to reach Madrid. At first, the hotel wouldn’t refund us, even partially. Readers can make up their own minds about the management’s response. Their low prices may tempt you, but when something happens outside your control, don’t expect much empathy from Ibis.