Hello-
I stayed at Hotel Madrid in early October for 3 nights. I booked the Hotel via venere website (but I noticed I would have received a cheaper rate if I just booked on the hotel website). Anyway, I was nervous about this hotel because of some of the reviews. I e-mailed them in advance and confirmation directly from the hotel was received. Our transfer limo driver easily found the hotel and was able to drop us off at the front door. The limo driver remarked to us that we picked a hotel with a perfect location. The gentleman working the desk helped us move our luggage from the van into the hotel by the desk and then helped us move the luggage to the elevator (much appreciated!). We checked in at 11:00am (early) and the room was ready. Check in was easy and quick. The elevator to the room worked well (we were on the 3rd floor), with a nice large bed.
I was impressed at first glance with the bathroom and bedroom (roomy and clean, no foul odor). It was hot in the room when we first arrived so we closed the windows and turned on the AC which worked fine. Also, the safe was a nice touch and it worked fine too. Bathroom was beautiful and shower pressure was fine (I read another comment that stated poor water pressure which was not the case). Plenty of nice hot water for a long shower. Couldn't find any evidence of mold, dirt or anything to complain about at all. Nice size desk, armoire with 10 hangers. There were no drawers or dressers so we basically just kept everything folded in our suitcases and lived out of them. Also no alarm clock but a working phone and the front desk does wake up calls as needed. Hotel is nice and quiet (which I was worried about because last time I was in Rome I stayed on via del corso which was very loud!!). Also thick curtains help to block out sunlight if you want to sleep in, or they can be pulled back for light. I had read a review that rooms were small so I made sure to book the double superior which was a perfect size!! The price was normal for a big city, and it is similar to other hotels in the area. You are staying in an area with a perfect location for sightseeing and by all the high end shopping (and very safe). If you want a cheap hotel (like near the train station), you are going to pay in other ways (lack of safety, not being able to go outside at night....).
Also, there is a minibar in the room with prices listed on the desk. Maid service did a good job. TV is small and English stations were CNN international and MTV. Wi-fi available in lobby area.
Breakfast was served 7am-10am in the morning buffet style, and consisted of fruit, pasteries, cereal, yogurt, eggs (scrambled and hard boiled), french toast and bacon. Also assorted juices, water and coffee was available. So yummy, perfect breakfast!! Probably the best free breakfast I have ever had at a hotel. The view from the roof-top terrace is nice and you can see St. Peters. Although, there is a picture that someone took of the view from the window to St. Peters, but it is misleading (I think they zoomed in alot for there picture, the Basilica isn't actually that close).
We walked alot to different places in Rome. For shopping Via Condotti and Via Del Corso are within minutes walking and then you can walk to other sites like Spanish Steps (5 minutes), Colesseum (25 minutes), Forum/Circus Maximus (30 minutes), Vatican (40 minutes). Cab ride to Vatican was 10 euros from hotel so we decided to walk afterwards back to the hotel. It was a pleasant walk passing Castle Sant Angelo and crossing the river. Make sure if you need a transfer/taxi to the airport you only accept a flat rate of 40 euro. I think that the hotel driver charges 50 euros. Oh- and make sure that if you are taking a direct flight back to the US they drop you off at terminal T5 at the airport (new terminal for direct Israel and US flights). Plenty of bars and restaurant within 5 minutes walking from hotel.
My overall impression is that it was a good hotel to stay at and I would stay there again. It is an old building but everything was clean (i.e. no rotting wood, no stains on walls, no ragged carpet). In other words, the building doesn't show signs of its age. It was alot of money to stay there but you are paying for location, safety and a good hotel in a large city. I have paid similar prices for far less charming hotels. I rated it a 4 because I thought it was very good for a 3 star hotel. I would say if you are going for more business interests or looking for complete luxury to stay elsewhere. This is just the perfect charming hotel for a stay in Rome.
