We stayed at the Petit Palace Embassy for 4 nights in late September with our 6- and 1 1/2- year old children. Location is great: easy walking to major sites, great shopping just down the street, and lots of Madrilenos to observe since it is in a residential neighborhood (albeit pretentious wealthy ones). And for those who can only take so much tapas and sausage, there is a V.I.P. restaurant a block away (sort of an upscale Denny's). (I know. How embarrassing to go to such a place when in Madrid. There are times you just break down traveling with a kindergartener and a preschooler! It did make us feel better, though, to see mostly locals with their kids (and not tourists).)

The room was spacious for European accomodations and it was one of the few hotels in Madrid (or any European city) that permitted the four of us to stay in the same room. (There was a full / queen size bed on the main level and 2 single beds in the loft.) The bathroom was fantastic (high-tech shower; very clean and pleasant). The plasma TV and free Internet access are great as well. The draw backs: limited menu (both in the restaurant and room service) and quite expensive for the quality of food; ultra modern design of rooms and public areas which is not child friendly at all (e.g. very steep steps to loft, lots of sharp corners, crib available but no crib sheets or covers).

We stopped at the Petit Palace for 5 nights in September and the hotel was excellent, clean rooms, free broadband internet access (theres a hotel laptop in each room, so you don´t have to mess about trying to connect your own PC to the network) and very close to the Metro. Being on one of the major roads into central Madrid meant that traffic was heavy outside the hotel, but this place is great if you a business traveller or a couple on a short break, but doesn´t really cater for children. Next time I am in Madrid, I will be stopping here again.

My 13 year old son and I spent two nights at this hotel in late August. Honestly I booked it for its low price and had no expectations. I was shocked at how terrific this hotel was! The room was exceptional, lovely high-tech bathroom, great furnishings and the high point--the lap top with internet access. Traveling with a 13 year old this could not have been more welcome! The location was superb as well, among great shopping yest only a few minutes from the Prado. This is a hotel that should not be missed. If I return to Madrid there is no question where I will be staying!

Stayed in this Hotel 1 August 06. A big mistake. The Hotel bar and restaurant were closed and no room service. This information was placed on a small notice in the lift - no mention of this on arrival or at booking. I was informed on checking in that the airconditioning was also not working fully..so with temperature hovering at 36 C that was no joke. Having had a long trip I decided to doze on the bed. Horror ..the sheets were filthy ..they had not been changed since the last person who had some bizarre personal habits ....Exit quick to change rooms as no maid service available. Next day there was no sign of breakfast . "A continental" breakfast was available. This consisted of a few rolls, coffee and juice for €14 !!!. Best to avoid this place..there are plenty of alternatives. The Hotel offers a plasma TV with a big choice of channels ALL in Spanish and only CNN in english. Extortion at these prices.