HRC Hotel

Located on a small street in lively La Latina neighborhood, the 38-room HRC is a worthy pick for those planning to spend little time at the hotel. It lacks most of the amenities found in larger properties, but its rooms are clean and comfortable, and common spaces are well-maintained. The lobby is simple, cute, and decorated in a more classic style than other spaces, with antique-style furniture, yellow striped wallpaper, and high ceilings with neoclassical friezes. The breakfast room on the first floor has a more traditional Spanish feel, with white wooden chairs, and a small lounge featuring small round tables dressed with red tablecloths. Large windows in the bar, the restaurant and the lounge let in lots of natural light and offer great views of San Francisco El Grande, a gorgeous basilica located right on the opposite corner of the street. Most guests here are couples in the 35 to 55 age bracket, but the hotel is also a popular pick among soccer fans and concert-goers attending sports and music events at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, located a quick cab ride away.

The hotel is located on a tiny residential street in hopping La Latina neighborhood, known for its many traditional tapas bars. Although it is a popular nightlife area, bars here offer casual drinks and outdoor terraces instead of music and dancing until the wee hours, which makes it lively but not rowdy. The HRC is right on the southern border of the neighborhood, and while it is just a few blocks from the heart of the action, it is not in the thick of it and nights are generally quieter. This location is also convenient for those looking to explore the city’s attractions on foot, as it is just a 10-minute walk from major sights such as the Royal Palace, the Cathedral, and Plaza Mayor. El Rastro, Madrid's most famous Sunday flea market, is a 10-minute uphill walk from the hotel, and shopping around Sol and Gran Via can also be reached in about 15 minutes. The airport is a 25-minute drive, or 50-minute metro ride away. There are two metro stops within a five-minute walk of the hotel.

The hotel has 38 rooms, all compact but comfortable, and equipped with solid amenities such as free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, safes, and minibars stocked with sodas, water and beer. Rooms were renovated in the early 2000s, and feature generic contemporary decor with a few custom-made features, including green-and-white textured accent walls, and distressed-style work desks with matching mirror frames. Most units also have laminate floors, but a few still have old-fashioned terra-cotta tiles. Walls in all rooms are hung with large sepia and color photos of Paris, Havana, and other cities. Of the 38 units, only three are interior-facing, and all of the five top-floor units have spacious terraces, most with panoramic views of the basilica and the Casa de Campo park. Bathrooms are average for a three-pearl hotel, with linoleum floors and basic shower/tub combos, but all are clean and have at least a couple of toiletries.

The hotel offers two options for breakfast — a casual cafe off the lobby popular with guests and locals alike for its inexpensive breakfast deals, and a breakfast room on the first floor serving a buffet with continental options and hot dishes. Both have large windows overlooking the street, and the breakfast room features great views of the basilica from some tables. Additionally, the hotel has a small lounge that guests can use during the day to watch TV or relax, but bar service is not provided. The hotel is connected via the elevator to a parking lot where a few spaces are available for a fee, but most are tight and those traveling in larger cars may find it difficult to park. The hotel has developed a free app exclusively for its guests which includes tourist information and maps. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.