NH Madrid Ventas

The NH Madrid Ventas (formerly the NH Parque Avenidas) is one of the chain’s most stylish properties in Madrid. The hotel underwent extensive renovations in the fall of 2015, and features contemporary interiors with a soft neutral palette and clean lines that lend common spaces and rooms a fresh feel. The green marble floors and walls in the lobby are a little generic and dated, but the funky white lamps above the front desk, and the spacious seating area with comfy couches in earth tones add style. Up a few steps is the spacious restaurant, which is busiest during the breakfast service and offers a long terrace overlooking a serene garden with a seasonal pool. The hotel provides a good balance between work and play, with an entire floor dedicated to meetings and events, a fitness center adjacent to the bar, and Wi-Fi that is strong enough for streaming.

During the week, the atmosphere here is quiet and mostly business-oriented, with meetings and corporate events being held at the hotel’s extensive meeting space, and business travelers typing away on their computers in the lobby. On weekends the hotel draws couples and small families with its decent rates, contemporary interiors, and location near the city center but away from the hustle and bustle. The hotel is also a favorite among famous bullfighters during the bullfighting season, which starts in May. 

The hotel is tucked away on a quiet street in a residential area a five-minute walk from the famous Ventas bullring. There are plenty of casual bars and restaurants nearby, and there’s great shopping along Goya Street, about a 15-minute walk away. While not within walking distance of many major attractions, the property offers easy access via public transport to the historic center, with two metro stations and several bus stops within a five-minute walk. There is a taxi stand right outside the main entrance, and the hotel features underground parking for a daily fee. Retiro Park is a 10-minute metro ride away, and other popular tourist sights, such as Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, and the Prado Museum are all about a 15-minute metro ride away. IFEMA fair grounds can be reached by metro in about 25 minutes, or in less than 15 by car. The airport is about a 10- to 15-minute drive away, or 30 minutes by metro.

The hotel has 199 rooms, all featuring large soundproofed windows overlooking either a quiet street or the garden and the pool. Decor is stylish and contemporary throughout, with wooden floors, custom-made all-white furniture with clean lines, and a few pops of dove gray. Quality beds are topped with white duvets and a variety of pillows, and backlit headboards complete with small reading lamps make rooms cozy at night. Standard Rooms are a little compact, but Superior Rooms are large enough to fit a tufted aquamarine chair, a gray ottoman, and a tiny coffee table. All rooms are equipped with great technology, including large flat-screen TVs, USB chargers by the bed, and free Wi-Fi strong enough for streaming. Other standard amenities include individually controlled air-conditioning, minibars, and free safes; Superior Rooms and the hotel’s only Junior Suite all have coffeemakers, robes, and slippers. 

Bathrooms are clean and modern, with either large walk-in rain showers or shower/tub combos with rain showerheads, wall-mounted hairdryers, and an array of toiletries that include extras such as body milk and fresh-scented hand soaps.

One of the features that makes the NH Madrid Ventas stand out among other four-pearl properties is the great outdoor pool, set in a small grassy garden and complete with a lifeguard, free towel service, and a few loungers. Adjacent to the pool area is a spacious all-season tent that can be rented for corporate or private events. Additionally, there are eight other indoor meeting spaces, all featuring audiovisual equipment, direct access to the garden, and coffee break areas. 

The spacious, sunny restaurant offers an excellent breakfast buffet with cold and hot items, and an international lunch menu with Spanish specialties. Park Avenue Bar features outdoor seating on a wooden deck overlooking the garden and the pool, and is a favorite among guests for a quiet nightcap. The fitness center is tiny but appealing and modern, with a couple of high-tech cardio machines, lots of natural light, and a stunning aerial photo of the Amalfi Coast on one wall. Fresh fruit and bottled water are available free of charge. There is also on-site underground parking for a daily fee, and free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel accepts dogs and cats for a daily fee, but height restrictions apply.