I spent 3 days at the Paseo del Arte and since it was pouring rain and thunderstorms all the while, I was very happy to find myself in such a comfortable hotel. I found the staff to be very helpful and my every request was met in short order and with a pleasant manner. There are two fine examples of this. When I first showed up after an overnight transAtlantic flight, I was a few hours early for check-in. The manager took personal care of setting me up to have a coffee in the restaurant while waiting for my room, despite it being closed to those not having pre-booked breakfasts. He then went about having a room made ready within half an hour. While the second example will seem an odd compliment, I tell it anyway because of the pleasant way I was treated. On my last day, I called reception and asked them to confirm my flight to Barcelona and order me a taxi for the following morning. I was advised it would be taken care of right away. When I still had not heard back 2 hours later, I called down again to enquire. However, the person I spoke to the second time, did not have as good English as the first. She told me that the hotel could not/did not do that and I would have to use the internet to check my flight. Most confused by this, I went to the lobby to use the internet. Fortunately, I managed to speak with my first contact, who most pleasantly advised that everything had been taken care of . Near as I could tell, the second person knew that they had already confirmed once and that was why she was telling me to use the internet. While it is true, that the miscommunication could easily have been avoided had the front desk called me to tell me all was in order, I still felt it was handled well and most of the confusion was mine. And for what it's worth, the bellboy always greeted me with a smile as well as most efficient handling my bags both on the way in and on the way out. I mention this because this was not the case anywhere else we stayed.

The breakfasts were incredible and not to be beat anywhere on the rest of our trip around Spain. I wouldn't hesitate to take the breakfast package again. I never needed to worry about lunch. Though one could probably save a little money eating breakfast elsewhere, there's not chance that it could be better value.

The hotel is more modern and trendy than I'd initially wanted for my Madrid experience, but later in the trip, we spent 3 days at the Palacio San Martin, near the Opera house and that satisfied my desire for a more elaborate room in keeping with the historic.

My room at the Paseo was on a side street with no view of note. However, it was very quiet and that's just what I requested and needed. I never even heard any other guests. I went up to the sundeck (well, during my time there it was the rain deck) and gym, to take some great shots of what can be seen from the top front of the hotel.

While the Paseo is not located near the Plaza Mayor nor Plaza del Sol, where there is so much more energy, it is very well situated for the Prado and Retiro Park. I regret that the weather did not allow for me to enjoy the walking about.

A metro station is just up the street (or at Atocha) and I bought a 10 ride card for $5 Euros (half the price of buying single rides). Having met up with my travel companion in Barcelona and once back in Madrid, we both made good use of the card.

I wouldn't hesitate to stay at the Paseo again. I had a most pleasant experience with the staff and find it surprising that others did not have the same. A small bonus was an actual double bed, instead of the usual offering of two twins shoved together.

All that said, I would probably split my time again between staying at the Paseo and another hotel closer to the action up at Plaza Mayor/Plaza del Sol.

My travel agent got me this place for around 100 Euros a night, bed and breakfast, for 2. The rooms are lovely, with nice art in them. The floors have an old world elegance to them - floating wood floor feel.

The breakfast was amazing. Over 20 dishes, and the fresh bread was the best I have ever tasted. At least the sort I chose was (they had lots of different breads). They told me it is called Tapata bread. I have not been able to get it in Australia.

The location is superb, around 10 minutes walk from 3 world class galleries. Make sure you get the 3 gallery pass when you go to the first one.

I am the customer from hell, and expect perfection. Rang the front desk a few times for minor things to be done, and every time they performed fast, and politely. Once I asked for extra pillows. They put long ones in. I then asked for shorter ones. The person I asked to do this did not understand. I asked for an interpreter. They provided an interpreter from staff. They then fixed it. All politely. Another time I could not work out how to make something work. Within 5 minutes they had someone there patiently showing me.

The highlight was when I came back after travelling around Spain and asked for a room. They said 120 Euros. I then started chatting with the Manager. I said "I love this hotel." He remembered me as well, as I used to talk to him a bit before travelling around. With a wry smile, he said "Give this man the room for 100 Euros". I then asked if I could have breakfast free as well. He said no, I would need to pay 20 Euros for that, but he said it with a smile.

Overall, an awesome experience.

Just returned from a 3 night stay at the Husa Paseo del Arte. Stayed in a triple room which was big enough for the 3 of us to spread out all of our clothes, shoes etc. Hotel was excellent with a great selection of breads, fruit, cereal, cakes etc. for breakfast. The coffee was very good too. Had a room at the back of the hotel so it was very quiet. Hotel was a very good size with an excellent shower and shampoo and shower gel supplied. Also found the staff very friendly and helpful.

We had dinner our last evening at Botins, which was excellent and the waiters were lovely and very tolerant with 9 ladies trying to choose what to eat and drink. Spent the other evenings eating in the Playa Mayor area.

The hotel was a leisurely stroll to Playa Sol and Playa Mayor where we spent most of our evenings. Found a great Irish Bar near Plays Sol where we went to end our evenings. Served a very very large G&T for 5 Euros!!!!

Can definitely recommend doing the open top tour on the bus, especially the historical one. There are some amazing buildings in Madrid. It cost E15.30 for a one-day pass and E20 Euros for a 2 day pass. We bought our tickets from the hotel reception. Didn't enjoy the modern one quite so much but we did get to see Real madrid's stadium (which I found quite ugly from the outside actually).

The only annoying thing was everytime we sat down to eat we were surrounded by street musicians who then promptly shoved a hand in front of you for money. Think they soon got the message to move on.

Had a fantastic time and hopefully will return in the near future.

LollyB

Just back from a 3 day stay. Was very impressed with the hotel and all Madrid had to offer. From the airport it took about 30 minutes on the Metro to the hotel. Checked in at noon with no problems at all. Booked holiday through Travel Republic and would definately use again.

The hotel was modern and very clean, and the buffet breakfast had a great selection.

The hotel is located about twenty minute stroll from the Sol area, where most of the shops are.

From the hotel its a ten minute walk to the Plaza Mayor where there are some very nice Spanish restaurants. There are two nearby Metro stations, Atocha which is about four minutes away across a busy road,
or Anton Martin which is a bit further away, but on the same street (Calle de Atocha).

Getting round Madrid is a breeze with the a ticket costing 1 europer trip. Visited the Prado Museum which was 6 euros and a great way to spend a couple of hours (and only minutes from the hotel), and The Royal Palace, which was free to EU citizens on a Wednesday with your passport. Both highly recommended.

Just one negative, a Thai restaurant called Thai Pad, on Pase Del Prado. If you like your food tough, and badly served, then this is the place for you.

Otherwise, it was a superb trip. To leave a waterlogged Luton on a Monday morning, and return 3 days later with a tan is always a good result.