Hotel Madrid Chamartín Affiliated by Meliá

I stayed two nights here on a short weekend trip. The hotel is in close proximity to Chamartin station from where you can reach the airport by Metro (all Terminals) with one change. The hotel is a bit nondescript from the outside and I passed it by twice trying to find it but it is just across from the station near the parking area for taxis and up a small scruffy side street. However don’t let that put you off! Inside the hotel is very pleasant. I had a twin on floor 9 - three lifts operate so you don’t wait for long. The room was spacious with spotless linen, a small fridge with minibar and a large bathroom with bath and attached shower-head. Excellent pressure and water temperature. Breakfast was included and was one of the best hotel breakfasts I’ve come across with a mix of traditional Spanish as well as cooked items such as scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms and beans. If you are leaving before breakfast starts (0700) and have no time for breakfast they will provide you with a picnic box. The hotel also serves a la carte meals although I didn’t try them. I didn’t have time to explore restaurants in the immediate area- I think they may be a bit sparse. However travelling into the city centre is easy from the Metro at Chamartin. I bought a Metro tourist card at the airport for 2 days - but bear in mind they are only valid for each day from the time you first validate the card - they don’t cover 24 hour cycles. I ended up having to buy a single back to the airport. So the hotel is a perfectly good choice if you are wanting to be relatively near the airport for an early departure (as I was) and happy enough to take the Metro into the centre of Madrid (say 20 minutes or so).