Historical and stylish boutique hotel in the trendy La Latina District of Madrid
Walking distance to attractions, bars, and restaurants
Each guest room has unique style and colorful decor -- some have balconies
Hip restaurants and bar on-site
Buffet breakfast
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Loaner bikes
Small rooms lack space
Translucent walls between bedroom and bathroom doesn't provide privacy
Charge for breakfast
This small, 27-room boutique hotel is housed in a historic structure that began life in the 16th century as a barn and was rebuilt in 1910. The building retains some of its ancient features to this day, including remains of an Arab wall under the foundation. It’s now a hip three-and-a-half-pearl property with uniquely decorated rooms situated around a long, rectangular courtyard. The hotel might put style before function, with some rooms lacking storage space and minimal privacy in the bathrooms, but it’s a great choice for travelers looking for a fun place to stay in a lively area convenient to most of Madrid’s attractions.
Scene
Mix of old and new, centered around restaurants and bar
Housed behind an old-style facade with maroon doors and wrought iron balconies, the hotel is centered around its traditional inner courtyard, a narrow rectangular space that houses La Despensa restaurant. Inside, the remains of an Arab wall sit below a clear floor, creating a juxtaposition of old and new. The hotel lobby occupies a small corner of the Bar Dragonate, a raw space made up of concrete and light wood. La Antonita restaurant is slightly more sophisticated, but still fairly casual, with dark tables and bunches of chilies hanging by an open kitchen.
Location
Close to bars, restaurants, and attractions
The Posada del Dragon is situated in the busy Latina neighborhood, with plenty of bars and restaurants nearby. It’s a few minutes’ walk to many attractions, including the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace of Madrid, and the Mercado de San Miguel food market. It’s about 15 minutes by metro to the Antocha Railway Station and the Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport takes 20 minutes to reach by car or around an hour via public transportation.
Rooms
Chic rooms with bold designs, but semi-private bathrooms
Each of the hotel's 27 rooms are different, but all are decorated in a mix of modern styles with classic twists. There are bold colors, including lime greens and bright sea blues, and funky artwork, including a modern take on a classic painting in the Balcony Room and a blown-up and backlit photo of a statue in the bathroom of the Double Corrala Room. The beds have comfortable memory-foam mattresses. Rooms facing the courtyard have blinds that open from the bottom and the top, allowing light to enter without sacrificing privacy. Privacy within rooms, however, is another story. A translucent frosted glass door is all that separates the bathrooms from the main areas, which is less than ideal for shy guests. There is also minimal shelving and open rails instead of closets for hanging clothes. All rooms have free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and hairdryers. The accessible Double Corrala Room also has areas with transparent floors and views of the Arab wall.
Features
Two restaurants and a bar, with a buffet breakfast
The lobby shares the same space with the busy Bar Dragonate, with food and drink being the main amenities on offer. There's also the more traditional La Antonita restaurant, which serves a variety of tapas, meat dishes, fish, and salads along with a variety of gin and tonic concoctions. A second restaurant, La Despensa, is a classically chic eatery with red and white checkered tablecloths and light-wood-paneled walls. Room service is available, and there's a daily buffet breakfast. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property and guests can rent bikes from the front desk.