Petit Palace Alcalá

We could walk to nearly all the Madrid sights and areas we wanted to see in 10-20 minutes, and the airport express bus stop was an easy 10-minute stroll away. The hotel was excellent value for the location. Check-in and check-out were simple, and the staff were welcoming and very helpful. When we found a broken bed on arrival, they fixed the problem quickly and to our satisfaction, going above and beyond. Our room was clean, tidy, and seemed to have been renovated fairly recently. The fifth-floor breakfast room was nicely furnished, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at the impressive architecture across the street. There was a broad choice of fresh, tasty breakfast food, and the staff kept it replenished while clearing tables, so we didn't have to wait. The corridors could use some decorating, though they were clean and tidy. The two elevators are small, with room for four at a squeeze, but with just 12 floors we never waited more than a minute or two. For this price range, the location and breakfast are hard to beat.

The room needs refurbishment. I found peeling wallpaper, loose sockets, poor shower drainage, and a shower head that came loose and caused a minor injury. The mattress was uncomfortable and had damaged springs. There was very little natural light because the window faced a wall, which the online photos didn't show accurately and felt misleading. My key card also stopped working at 11:10, even though checkout was at noon, which was inconvenient and avoidable. The location is outstanding, especially being near Gran Vía. Staff were friendly, attentive, and professional, and breakfast was enjoyable and well organized in a bright room overlooking Gran Vía. Petit Palace Alcalá has a lot going for it in its location and team, but the room condition, maintenance, and accuracy of the online photos need attention to meet expectations.

The staff are attentive, and the breakfast is excellent. The location makes it easy to reach museums, with the metro just steps away. I'll definitely come back and stay here again.

I wouldn't book with this hotel group again. Their cancellation rules on the website are confusing and very limited. We booked a different Petit Hotel in Madrid, and when I asked whether the reservation could be refunded, they went against their own terms and charged me before the stay. It took 18 emails to get an explanation that made sense. My stay isn't until August, and their terms say they can charge only if you cancel or don't show up. Save yourself the headache and book with another hotel group.