Santillan

It's a pretty cheap hotel in a good spot, right on Gran Via and close to a couple of Metro lines. It's the kind of European hotel that takes up one or two floors in a public building, with reception on the eighth floor. There aren't any amenities, and the bathroom is tiny. Water pressure was inconsistent, and the tap water tasted funny. Reception closes overnight, and you use a metal key to lock and unlock the door from both sides. It's a Cheap Hotel (tm).

I was put off at first by the word hostel, but this really wasn't a typical one. The location was amazing, the rooms were very clean, and the staff were so friendly. It was brilliant, and I'd stay again.

The room was small, but its large wardrobe held both our carry-on bags and made the space feel roomier. We faced Gran Via, and although the street was noisy at night, the windows blocked enough sound that it didn't affect our sleep. The location was great for walking to most Madrid attractions, and the metro and bus stations were less than five minutes away. My only complaint was the reception hours. The room information said it stayed open until 9 pm on Sundays, but when I rang the bell around 8 pm, nobody answered and I couldn't get what I needed.

Our room was spacious, with plenty of storage, and surprisingly quiet despite being on Gran Vía because it faced an inner courtyard. The location was excellent, easy to reach by public transport and within walking distance of the city's main sights. The staff were professional and nice. We really appreciated being able to use the bathroom and shower before check-in and after check-out. We just finished our stay completely satisfied, and would definitely recommend Santillan.