ROOM MATE ALICIA, MADRID, Madrid

Room Mate Alicia sits directly on Plaza Santa Ana, the heart of Madrid's literary and theatre quarter. The square is lined with sidewalk cafés and tapas bars, giving immediate access to the city's dining scene. Puerta del Sol is a 5-minute stroll, and the Prado Museum and Retiro Park are both within a 10-minute walk. Atocha station is 15 minutes on foot or 7 minutes by taxi. The hotel is a 20-minute drive from Madrid Airport, though traffic can extend this. The area is pedestrian-friendly; public parking is available in the square with a negotiated discount. Light sleepers should be aware that the square can be lively, particularly at weekends, though rooms with courtyard views offer more quiet.

Room sizes range from the compact Single (10 m2, courtyard view, windowless exterior) to the 50 m2 split-level Duplex Suite with king-size bed, living room, terrace and private plunge pool. Double Exterior rooms (20-25 m2) have plaza views; Double Standard and Single rooms face an inner courtyard. Junior Suites (30 m2) have a separate shower and a sitting area, while the Executive Room (20 m2, top-floor) comes with a large furnished terrace overlooking the square. All rooms feature soundproofing, a work desk, and a rain-shower bathroom with toiletries. Bed pillows are notably large and high; beds are generally described as comfortable, though a few reports mention older mattresses. Street-facing rooms can be noisy, especially on weekend nights; courtyard-facing rooms are quieter. Some basic rooms have an open-plan bathroom with the toilet enclosed in a small glass cubicle, which may reduce privacy.

Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, cheeses, pastries, crackers, nuts, protein bars, cereal and fruit. Gluten-free guests receive a basket of Schar-brand products, and vegans can choose cereal, fruit and soy milk. The buffet is served in a spacious dining room. For other meals, the hotel has no on-site restaurant, but Plaza Santa Ana and the surrounding streets offer dozens of tapas bars and restaurants within a 2-minute walk. Coffee and tea service is provided in each room via an electric kettle.

The hotel has no gym, spa or swimming pool. The only pool facilities are the private mini plunge pools on the terraces of the two Duplex Suites. These pools are not heated; water temperature is ambient, so they are cold in winter and cool in spring and autumn. They remain open every day of the year. The surrounding Las Letras district and nearby Retiro Park offer outdoor leisure options, but the hotel itself provides no wellness or sports facilities.

Wi-Fi is free throughout the building. The 24-hour front desk can arrange taxi bookings (30 EUR to the airport), luggage storage at check-in and check-out, and a paid shuttle service. Housekeeping is daily and free. Laundry and fax/photocopying are available for an additional charge. A welcome drink is offered on arrival. The hotel is lift-accessible, but all floors including the Duplex rooms can also be reached by stairs. Cots are available on request. The property is non-smoking throughout, has key-card access, CCTV in common areas and smoke alarms. No parking is provided; the public Plaza Santa Ana car park opposite offers a 20% discount for stays exceeding 11 hours.