The 200-room mid-range Hotel Mayorazgo sits one block off Madrid’s busting Gran Via, and is within a three-minute walk of the Plaza de Espana and the metro. Many of the rooms have been renovated, and include hand-painted murals, but room quality can vary wildly, and noise between them is a problem. The hotel has an on-site bar and an excellent restaurant, Gastro Via 61, but no fitness center. Travelers may want to consider Hotel Sidorme Madrid Fuencarral 52, which has similarly priced rooms that are far more stylish, and is within a 15-minute walk of the Hotel Mayorazgo.
The hotel is a muddled blend of historical periods inside and out — from its unattractive mid-20th century exterior to the lobby’s mix of antique and contemporary elements. A bubbling marble fountain, eye-catching red and white leather or black velvet furniture, Art Deco marble floors, and a hulking antique fireplace impress on their own, but they don’t come together here in a thoughtful design. The stuffy Retiro Lounge Bar off the lobby, with ’80s emerald carpets and mirrored walls, is a comfortable if dated place for a drink, while the breakfast room has classic black-and-white checkerboard floors, giving it a grand flair. On-site Gastro Via 61 is a more high-end venue, with high-backed leather chairs and a menu that draws guests from the hotel and beyond. The hotel caters primarily to tourists, including families and couples, though it has several meeting rooms and draws business travelers too.
Renovated guest rooms are bright and airy, with hand-painted murals of Madrid landmarks, which gives them a quaint, whimsical quality, but there can be a wide disparity in room quality. Even renovated rooms don’t always feel particularly contemporary or stylish. Some of the murals look cheesy, and the furniture doesn’t seem to be intentionally vintage. Animal murals in Quad Rooms, which have bunk beds, are entertaining for guests with small children, though probably less so for a group of adults. Some rooms mix light- wood laminate floors and dark-blue carpets, white or walnut furniture with antique silhouettes, and lots of slatted-wood accents and doors that give the rooms a dated look even though they’ve been treated to a fresh coat of paint. Beds come with duvets, throw pillows in complementary colors, and bed runners. All rooms have desks, small, mounted flat-screen TVs, electric safes, and mini-fridges with minibars. Bathroom quality is uneven — some renovated rooms have an impeccably contemporary style, with large vanities, brand new sinks, slick gray or stone tiling, heated towel racks, and modern fixtures. Others are lined with unattractive tan marble with dirty grout. Walls are extremely thin, and noise from neighboring rooms is a problem. The hotel’s interior rooms are immune to street noise, the interior views aren’t great. Guests should also keep in mind that the front desk controls the air-conditioning, and it’s not always adequate.