Hotel City House Florida Norte

Built in 1973, the City House Florida Norte is an aging property offering basic accommodation in a good location within (uphill) walking distance of the city center and many of its main attractions. The large lobby may strike some as retro-chic and others as downright dated, but it features lots of comfortable, albeit worn seating areas and large windows with views of a pretty building that used to be a train station and is now a shopping mall and a public transport hub. Certain elements, such as shiny brass framing the elevators, marble-like floors, and wood paneling in the dining areas, feel like they date to the 1970s, and the carpet and wallpaper in hallways have seen better days. We saw signs of small updates both in common areas and rooms during our visit, but we were told no major changes are planned in the foreseeable future, which isn’t ideal given the many complaints of maintenance issues. 

This is a popular pick among tour groups seeking low rates over style and amenities, but the hotel also draws business travelers on a budget, and the lobby is typically busy in the morning, with groups of tourists waiting to board their tour bus, and couples getting ready to head out for the day. The hotel’s convenient location is one of its main selling points, but travelers seeking something more contemporary may want to compare rates at the neighboring Hotel Acta Madfor, which has a rooftop solarium. In the same price range as the City House Florida Norte, Aparto Suites Muralto offers clean, well-equipped apartments, as well as breakfast buffets and on-site parking (for a fee). For a little bit more money, the NH Madrid Ventas has solid additional features, such as a small gym, a cocktail bar, and excellent breakfast, plus stylish, contemporary rooms with rainfall showers.  

Hotel City House Florida Norte sits directly across from the modern Principe Pio shopping center that houses stores such as H&M, Zara, and Levi’s, as well as fast food joints. The property is also across the street from the serene Royal Palace Gardens, but the Royal Palace itself -- as well as other major attractions in the area, such as Gran Via, Plaza de España, Templo de Debod, and La Almudena Cathedral -- are a 15-minute steep uphill walk away. However, guests can also easily access trains, buses, and the subway at Principe Pio station, located right below the mall, which puts all city center attractions, the airport, and high-speed trains within a short ride of the hotel. On the other side of the hotel is the Manzanares River, a beautiful park area popular among locals for walking and other outdoor recreation. The Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suárez Airport is a half-hour drive from the hotel, or 40-minute metro ride away. 

Like the rest of the hotel, the decor in the rooms is a bit out of date. They are functional and clean, with beige paint, laminate floors (a few rooms still have carpet), light wood furniture, and small framed pictures, but past guests have complained of extensive maintenance issues, including loose power sockets, peeling wallpaper, and broken hairdryers. Beds and pillows were replaced in 2018, and most guests seem to enjoy the upgrade, as well as the duvets, which replaced old thin bedspreads. The overall effect is bright and simple but a bit bland.

In-room amenities are basic, and include seasonal air-conditioning and heating, flat-screen TVs (satellite channels are not available), mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. Views are great from most rooms -- some overlook the river, and some offer pretty vistas of the Royal Palace -- and a number of rooms feature spacious, furnished terraces. Clean bathrooms are dated and worn, equipped with shower/tub combos, flowery or plain brown tiles, and older taps. Toiletries and hairdryers are provided in all rooms. 

Attached to the hotel via the lobby, the restaurant is a casual, cafeteria-style neighborhood joint serving up traditional Spanish food in a spacious dining room and out on the sidewalk. Guests can either grab a quick bite here in the morning or purchase the breakfast package, which offers access to a buffet with hot and cold options. Most guests find the buffet mediocre, though. Room service is available 24/7, but the overnight menu is limited. The hotel also offers free use of a printer and a computer in the business center, and there are three meeting rooms with basic audiovisual equipment. Underground parking and airport transfers are available for a fee. There are no gym, pool, or spa facilities here.