Room Mate Oscar Rating: 3.5 Pearls

Chueca, Madrid, Spain

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The Room Mate Oscar faces a pedestrian plaza on a small street parallel to Gran Via, a historic avenue that runs right through the heart of Madrid. There are dozens of restaurants and cafes nearby, and many major attractions such as Cibeles, El Prado Museum, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor are within easy walking distance.

Chueca, with its narrow, winding streets full of small, intimate restaurants, lively bars, and gay-friendly venues, is one of the nightlife hot spots in Madrid. It has a decidedly small-town feel to it, but it is undergoing a major overhaul, and areas that were somewhat forgotten are now must-sees, such as San Anton Market, a three-story marketplace with wonderful stores and a beautiful rooftop terrace open year round. From Thursday to Sunday night, hordes of young locals and tourists alike go bar-hopping, have tapas or a nice, romantic dinner with their significant other, and dance until the early morning in this buzzing, young neighborhood.

Gran Via is one of the main thoroughfares in central Madrid, so expect crowds and traffic day and night. The subway, bus, and train are nearby, but most sights are within walking distance.

• 19-minute drive to Madrid-Barajas Airport
• Steps to restaurants, bars, shopping, and nightlife
• 6-minute walk to Puerta del Sol
• 9-minute walk to Cibeles
• 11-minute walk to Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
• 12-minute walk to Plaza Mayor
• 12-minute walk to Puerta de Alcala
• 15-minute walk to Retiro Park, Madrid's most famous garden
• 17-minute walk to Plaza de Oriente, home to the Royal Palace, the Royal Theater, and Sabatini Gardens
• 18-minute walk to El Prado Museum
• 18-minute walk to upscale shopping on Serrano Street
• 20-minute walk to La Almudena Cathedral
• 22-minute walk to La Latina, a nightlife hotspot
• 22-minute walk to Reina Sofia Museum
• 25-minute walk to Templo de Debod Park, with great views and an original Egyptian temple