Hostal Laris - Madrid, Spain     

This "hostal" was MUCH worse than I could have ever imagined! The location may have been "close to" the Gran Via; however, you had to walk down dark, alley-like streets filled with hookers, drug deals being made, suspicious people walking around. The TAXIS don't even want to go there. The police stopped us as soon as we arrived to tell us there were hookers, drugs, a BAD pickpocket problem, and theft of all types. The lobby is TINY and the elevator is only large enough for 1 person plus luggage at a time! The rooms were dingy, stuffy (and they refused to turn on the air conditioning), the walls were dirty, and I did not want to even try the bedding! One of our rooms had an odor of urine, and on the first floor, you could not open your window for fresh air because of the danger of theft / break-ins. We moved out the same night we checked in, because it was so awful -- and the hotel refused any sort of refund at all. DO NOT STAY HERE!!!

I stayed in the Hotel Laris for 1 night for business in Madrid in May 2008. The hotel is fairly grotty - as mentioned previously, the location for the metro is fine, but there are many prostitutes and drug dealers hanging around. As a single female traveller returning back to the hotel after an evening meal at midnight, it's not the most pleasant experience. The hotel has absolutely no business facilities. However, once the hotel realised that I was popping in and out to / from appointments, they were happy to help me book taxis and even use the breakfast room to work. They spoke next to no English. This hotel is probably fine for a budget weekend away when you spend no time in it, but it did not particularly serve my needs. The rooms are basic and the bathrooms a true tribute to the 70s. My window opened out onto a central courtyard where the sound of everyone opening / closing their blinds echoed around.