NH Parque Avenidas - Madrid, Spain 

Amazing breakfasts
Posted: Tue, Jul 22 2008
Just got back from a hen weekend in Madrid when we stayed at the Parque Avenidas. We got stung in the taxi from the airport so bear in mind you shouldn't pay more that 25 euros max. The hotel was extremely clean and the rooms were smart and modern, if a little on the small side. The staff were all very pleasant and always smiled and greeted you. The best thing about the hotel was the food and drink. We were very well looked after the whole time. Breakfast was everything under the sun including an expansive range of pastries, cold meats, cheese and cereal and if you wanted eggs and other cooked food they would do it for you on request. The fact that breakfast lasted until 12noon was great and meant lunch wasn't reallt necessary. The pool was good. Not many sun loungers but free towels which was a bonus. Overall, we had a fantastic stay here at an extremely reasonable price. I would definitely return.

Over-rated
Posted: Fri, Mar 07 2008
Surprised by the other reviews of this hotel. There was a lot that wasn't up to standard: the rooms were small; the breakfast buffet was held in a marquee behind the hotel (it was freezing outside so not much better in the tent), and the security guard in the small lobby felt slightly threatening. Worst of all, they have plastered an advert for a motor car on the glass entry door and the lift doors. This sort of grubby commercialism might be ok in a budget hotel but is intrusive and offensive in a place like this! Avoid if you can.

A nice business hotel, good value for the price
Posted: Wed, Feb 20 2008
I've stayed at the NH Parque Avenidas twice in the last two months, for a total of 4 weeks, so I guess that would make me a regular. While not a stellar, high-end pampering hotel, the NH Parque Avenidas really does the job for business travelers, especially if you are working close by. And at under 100 Euros a night (our corporate rate is 80, but I've seen nightly rates on their website as low as 60 Euros at times), it definitely fits the bill First of all, a word on location - The NH Parque Avenidas is not close to downtown by any stretch of the imagination. So if you want to walk out and have all the sights at your feet, look elsewhere. It is near the Ventas bullfighting ring, which is a bit to the northeast of downtown at the end of Calle de Alcala. This being a residential neighborhood it's fairly quiet (especially on sundays, when surrounding shops are closed), but it has easy access to 3 metro lines (2 & 5 at Ventas and 7 at Parque Avenidas station) which will give you great, fast access to downtown, Calle Goya, el Rastro on a weekend, and the airport (though the airport ride takes a bit of metro hopping). There's a small Dia supermarket 2 blocks away, which can provide you with snacks, drinks, water, etc. so that's also a nice plus. The rooms are fairly standard, corporate decor (think Courtyard) with light wood fixtures and LCD TVs. Non-smoking rooms are on the 3rd and 7th floors, so bear that in mind. The windows can be opened (a big plus on any hotel in Europe, as they usually won't run the AC in winter and I like my room cool). If possible I'd suggest a high floor, as if you are on the street side you will hear the trash collection around 11 PM and on the opposite side you may get music noise from any parties thrown in their conference facilities (this was, I imagine, more of a seasonal inconvenience - being December and all). There's good Wi-fi coverage for a fee in all rooms (22 EUR a day, or 88 EUR for a 7 day stretch). There's also a fridge in your room that can hold a few extra items of your own without having to rearrange everything they packed in. The bathrooms are large and well appointed, with strong showers. The staff is very friendly and will be able to direct you on pretty much any question. They can call cabs to the stop in front of the hotel if there's not one there already (word of caution: rush hour will mean a long wait), or reserve one for an early ride (especially if you are going to the airport in the early morning). I only had one dispute on my bill for a charge I didn't incur, and they solved it quickly and without incident. All in all, I like staying here - it's comfy, no fuss and easy. Yes, I wish there were some more options around, but the Metro takes care of that when I get antsy. Likes: - Quiet area, close to a supermarket - Great metro access, which can take you places very quickly - Room service is fairly inexpensive - Good Wi-fi coverage - Nice surroundings if you like walking - Cleaning service passes a few times, even on weekends - they'll eventually get to you no matter how late you slept in. Some dislikes: - Few restaurants in walking distance - Taxis can be scarce at peak morning times (think 8:15 to 9:30 AM) - Restaurant is very basic, not a lot of options on room service menu - TV could use a couple more options in English for international travelers