Hotel Mayorazgo

The hotel is a muddled blend of historical periods inside and out — from its unattractive mid-20th century exterior to the lobby’s mix of antique and contemporary elements. A bubbling marble fountain, eye-catching red and white leather or black velvet furniture, Art Deco marble floors, and a hulking antique fireplace impress on their own, but they don't come together here in a thoughtful design. The stuffy Retiro Lounge Bar off the lobby, with ’80s emerald carpets and mirrored walls, is a comfortable if dated place for a drink, while the breakfast room has classic black-and-white checkerboard floors, giving it a grand flair. On-site Gastro Via 61 is a more high-end venue, with high-backed leather chairs and a menu that draws guests from the hotel and beyond. The hotel caters primarily to tourists, including families and couples, though it has several meeting rooms and draws business travelers too.

Situated right off the busy Gran Via, one of the city’s main shop-lined thoroughfares, the hotel is conveniently located. The small plaza outside the hotel includes an outdoor cafe and a go-go bar, and many major landmarks are within walking distance, including the Plaza de España (three minutes), Puerta del Sol and the Plaza Mayor (15 minutes), the Royal Palace (10 minutes), and the famous Chocolateria San Gines (10 minutes). The hipster-heavy streets of Malasana are across the Gran Via (five minutes), while there are plenty of boutiques and bars in almost every direction. The closest metro station is at Plaza de Espana, and trips to Retiro Park take 15 minutes, while the Atocha train station, the city’s main rail terminal, is 20 minutes away by metro. Madrid-Barajas International Airport is 40 minutes away by metro, a trip that takes 20 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic.

Renovated guest rooms are bright and airy, with hand-painted murals of Madrid landmarks, which gives them a quaint, whimsical quality, but there can be a wide disparity in room quality. Even renovated rooms don’t always feel particularly contemporary or stylish. Some of the murals look cheesy, and the furniture doesn’t seem to be intentionally vintage. Animal murals in Quad Rooms, which have bunk beds, are entertaining for guests with small children, though probably less so for a group of adults. Some rooms mix light- wood laminate floors and dark-blue carpets, white or walnut furniture with antique silhouettes, and lots of slatted-wood accents and doors that give the rooms a dated look even though they’ve been treated to a fresh coat of paint. Beds come with duvets, throw pillows in complementary colors, and bed runners. All rooms have desks, small, mounted flat-screen TVs, electric safes, and mini-fridges with minibars. Bathroom quality is uneven — some renovated rooms have an impeccably contemporary style, with large vanities, brand new sinks, slick gray or stone tiling, heated towel racks, and modern fixtures. Others are lined with unattractive tan marble with dirty grout. Walls are extremely thin, and noise from neighboring rooms is a problem. The hotel’s interior rooms are immune to street noise, the interior views aren't great. Guests should also keep in mind that the front desk controls the air-conditioning, and it's not always adequate.

The hotel houses Gastro Via 61, an upscale dining destination for hotel guests and visitors from across Madrid that serves traditional Spanish dishes and Mediterranean specialties with a gourmet twist. A breakfast buffet is available every day in the hotel’s attractive breakfast room, with a generous selection of hot and cold items, which is included in some room packages. Retiro Lounge Bar is a fine enough place to sip a glass of wine or beer in the evening, and has live music on occasion. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and though there is a business center and Internet corner, faxing, photocopying, and printing are subject to fees. The hotel has five meeting rooms in an array of sizes, but most of the spaces vary in quality because of ongoing renovations — some have a charming vintage appeal, while others look outdated. The 24-hour front desk can arrange for airport transfers and tours, as well as assist with car rentals. Laundry and dry cleaning services are also available.