MADRID CHAMARTIN, AFFILIATED BY MELIA, Madrid

Chamartín station sits directly opposite, giving quick access to Metro line 1, Cercanías suburban trains and AVE long-distance services, with direct routes to Puerta del Sol (7 km) and the airport. Santiago Bernabéu Stadium is 3 km away, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is 7 km away, and Plaza de Castilla is within walking distance. The immediate area is a practical transport hub with residential and office blocks; a Mercadona supermarket is a 4-minute walk, and several restaurants and cafés lie within about 0.5 km. Taxis and ride-hailing pick-up points are outside the hotel, and airport taxi fares are fixed. The city centre is roughly 30 minutes away by public transport. A ramp next to the main entrance and a lower entrance from the station side make the hotel accessible with luggage.

Double rooms include a bath and bidet, free toiletries, a seating area, wardrobe, electric kettle and, in some cases, mountain views; some room categories add a sofa, tea and coffee facilities, English TV channels and a safe. Family rooms are designed for two adults and up to two children under 12 and include a small gift for children; older children and teenagers will need two twin rooms. A standard double bed cannot be reserved or guaranteed, and there are no balconies. Rooms are generally large, clean and comfortable, but the decor is dated and some furniture shows wear. Summer cooling relies on a central air-conditioning system, which has at times been inconsistent; rooms with southern exposure can become warm, and opening windows brings in street noise. Rooms facing the station side are noisier than pool-facing rooms. Adjoining rooms may be available on arrival, but connecting rooms are not offered.

Breakfast is the standout meal: a buffet with hot dishes, cold cuts, cheeses, fruit, pastries and gluten-free options, served from 07:00 to 11:00 on weekdays and 08:00 to 11:00 at weekends and holidays. For early departures, a takeaway picnic breakfast can be ordered at check-in before 21:00. Lunch and dinner at Plaza Central are Mediterranean and family-friendly, with fruit plates, wine and champagne available at an additional charge. The breakfast room can fill quickly on weekend mornings, so earlier start times avoid queues. The hotel does not offer vegan food. Around the hotel, several restaurants and a Mercadona supermarket are within a short walk, while the on-site bar and coffee shop cover drinks throughout the day; the bar generally closes at 23:00.

The outdoor pool is free for those staying overnight and is reserved exclusively for hotel residents, with sun loungers and beach umbrellas provided. It opens around the end of June and remains available into early September, operating from midday until 21:00, so morning swimming is not possible. When the pool is closed for the season, the terrace and loungers are not accessible. A small gym and a public bath area are also available. There is no spa and no kids club, and the pool is a practical urban facility rather than a secluded leisure area. The pool works well as a cooling break after a train journey or a day in the city, especially in the afternoon.

The 24-hour front desk handles late arrivals and early departures, and invoices can be provided. Wi-Fi is free across the hotel. Daily housekeeping is included; laundry and ironing services are available, and a vending machine sells drinks. Housekeeping starts early, and corridor cleaning can be audible in the morning. A welcome drink is offered, and a safety deposit box is free to use. Luggage storage is free on check-in and check-out days, with a charge of €2 per bag per day on other days. There is no airport shuttle and no on-site parking; the nearby Parking Centro Norte charges €30 per day and is not operated by the hotel. Lift access runs from street level to reception and then to room floors, and a ramp next to the front steps is available for luggage or mobility needs; the lifts are compact and can be slow at peak times. Payment is accepted with American Express, Visa, Diners Club, Maestro, Euro 6000 and MasterCard. Pets are not allowed.