Hotel Hospes Puerta de Alcalá
Plaza de la Independencia 3, Madrid, Madrid 28001, Spain
Why We Like It
Plaza de la Independencia, with its imposing gate and wide avenues, is one of the city’s most regal corners, and you get a taste of that erstwhile grandeur when you stay in this historic building. Though the hotel could probably use a makeover, Hospes is a consistent and comfortable hotel with a high level of service.
Fodor's Expert Review
Housed in a 19th-century mansion overlooking the Alcalá Gate and Retiro park, Hospes is a pleasant, traditional hotel ideal for families and business travelers. Despite its frumpy interior design, rooms are spacious and comfortable with quality mattresses and soft bedsheets. For next-level relaxation, take advantage of Hospes’ three-floor Bodyna Spa.
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Room
With Victorian bed frames, hardwood floors, and purple and gold accents, rooms in Hospes exude a playful (if trite) modern interpretation of palatial décor. But if you can get past the stale aesthetic of it all, the pleasantly firm mattresses and wrought-iron balconies facing Plaza de la Independencia make any stay worthwhile.
You Should Know Rooms on the fourth floor can be a bit noisy in the summer as the air-conditioning system is located on the roof directly above.
Bathroom
Surprisingly roomy for an urban hotel, bathrooms at Hospes (depending on the category), feature deep-soak bathtubs, rain showers, and his-and-her sinks.
Lobby
Minimal yet inviting, the Hospes lobby is pleasant, perhaps, but lacks the seating and ambiance to make you want to stay awhile.
Spa
The Bodyna Spa is a sanctuary from the neighborhood’s infamous traffic and crowds. It features French-made Cinq Mondes emollients, a menu of couples treatments, and amenities like cava (Spanish sparkling wine), and chocolate-dipped strawberries.
Gym
You'll find dumbbells, two treadmills, and a stationary bike in this compact gym.
Dining
Independencia restaurant, whose patio extends out onto the sidewalk across from Alcalá Gate, is a prime location for an evening cocktail, but when it comes to food, look elsewhere: The lackluster menu and shoddy service leave much to be desired.
Drinking
Kick back with a refreshing (and generous) gin-tónic, poured tableside on the shaded outdoor patio of Independencia restaurant.
Tip Be sure to book an outdoor table in advance; the patio fills up by 8 p.m. on warm-weather nights.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Most of the city’s top sites are within walking distance of the hotel, but if your legs need a rest, the metro (Line 2) is just minutes away at Retiro station.
Restaurants
The neighboring Salamanca district boasts two of the city’s best spots for tortilla de patata, Spanish potato omelette: Casa Dani, a noisy bar tucked in the back corner of Mercado de la Paz, and Estay, a stylish restaurant that doubles as a café before noon. After sundown, embark on a tapas crawl through the neighborhood, hitting Babelia (cocktails and finger food), Cinco Jotas (premium jamón ibérico), and Ultramarinos Quintín (rawbar and flatbreads).
Bars
The quiet side streets surrounding the hotel belie a number of hopping nightlife venues. There’s Ten con Ten, the swanky “gin bar” that incited the gin-tónic frenzy a decade ago that hasn’t abated since. After a cocktail there, make your way to Arts Club, a buzzy bar and discoteca that heats up on the weekends with international DJ sets.
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