Hotel Sancho

Great location, a short walk from Retiro and just steps from a metro stop, Mercadona, and restaurants. The staff were super friendly, everything was exceptionally clean, the beds were comfortable, and the Wi-Fi was strong. There’s also good coffee at the bar downstairs.

Our room was cozy and clean, and great value for what we paid. The terrace was a fun bonus at night. What really surprised us was how kind the staff were, the nicest we’ve met in Spain so far. One of them remembered our toddler’s name every day and greeted us with smiles and chocolates. We’ll be back, thank you!

The location was the strongest part: metro and bus stops are right outside, and there’s a nice patio balcony area. The room itself was average, with a very small sleeping area but a huge bathroom and balcony. The AC stayed in “heater” mode even though its controls offered a switch between “cold” and “hot,” which made no sense. Booking was frustrating too. I reserved through Agoda using my wife’s card, and the first reservation was cancelled because the cardholder name didn’t match the booking. Agoda emailed that the hotel couldn’t process the card. The hotel then confirmed on WhatsApp that this wasn’t a problem and the booking was still valid, but it was cancelled 24 hours later. I managed to rebook with my own card, though the initial experience left a lot to be desired. They also charged me 318 euros for a room I booked through Agoda at 308 euros. I couldn’t understand the receptionist’s explanation because they weren’t very comfortable speaking English. In all my years of travelling across different countries, this was the first time I’d paid a different amount from what I booked. With the communication problems, average rooms, and rate discrepancy, I still wouldn’t recommend the hotel.

The hotel is in a great spot near Atocha train station, and the rooms and amenities were very clean and tidy. Staff were friendly and helpful throughout. I’d highly recommend it and will definitely stay here again when I visit Madrid.