AC ATOCHA IN MADRID

Having my usual hotel in Madrid closed for renovation, I had to look for a new one. The option was wide but I was looking for something in particular. The fact that it is close to the railway station (200 mts away). Atocha, is near the centre, well connected with the main commercial area by underground. And so is the AC Atocha Hotel. Within 5 minutes from the train platform, it is really convenient.

The hotel is surrounded by restaurants that will probably be of your liking, if you don’t want to eat in.
Reception is, as it normally is in this type of hotels, fast, friendly and efficient. You are handed the key and told how to get to your room. If you get it in the other module, it is a bit of a nuisance, having to get the lift to go one flight down, get across the corridor, go out to the back patio and get in the module, and then it is like a normal hotel. It is a bit of a walk... not that much of a problem unless you are a winger...

The hotel is nice... but not my taste. I don't quite like the "cold" feeling you get among those black walls, from the corridors and rooms. The hotel is very impersonal. Empty rooms, no background music... you... and yourself, which in some cases can be good... but, it may not be in others.

When you enter your room, everything is modern. Bed is comfortable. The wardrobe is unusual... Neither doors nor covers. It is a metal structure where the hangers are hanging.

The bathroom is no different. What strikes is the clear glass shower. You can see who is taking a shower from the bed... Normally, you are going to travel with someone you know... but... not that good for just friends... unless, of course, you want to take the chance to move further... Toilet is separate and... Closed to the rest of the room. Soaps and other toiletries are available too.

Breakfast is on the main module. It is a buffet with fruit, biscuits, cold meat and cheese, yogurt, bakery...

What really irritates me from this hotel is the fact that Wi-Fi is free of charge in the lobby but available for a fee in the room. I think it is mean.

AC ATOCHA
Calle Delicias, 42
28045 MADRID
Spain
T. 91 506 22 21
F. 91 506 22 22
acatocha@ac-hotels.com

ZENIT ABEBA - MADRID

The Zenit Abeba, in the Salamanca residential district is one of those hotels where you will stay overnight and remember it quite positively. It is a no frills 4 star hotel. Rooms are clean, with wooden floor that make them quite comfortable. Somre rooms are extremely small. Other are big. Same happens with the toilet.

All rooms have free wifi (very rare among hotels of similar status to offer it for free). Toiletries are also supplied. The hotel has a carpark, where you need to pay and it is not cheap. Also, ig your luggage is heavy, bear in mind that if you park your car in the carpark, you will need to get the luggage up the stairs from the garage to reception. There is no lift to the carpark!!! But then again, you are in a quiet and high class neighbourhood. Starbucks, for those lovers of the American Franchise will have one just round the corner.

The hotel is handy if you are getting up early to go to Barajas airport, the Exhibition centre (IFEMA) or to travel towards Zaragoza or Barcelona on the A2. The city centre is a bit far away on foot, but just outside the hotel, within 20 sencond walk, you have the Underground entry, where you can choose from 4 lines to move any way in the city.

But for me, the best thing about the hotel is breakfast. A wide choice of pastries, churros, porras, fruite, yogurts, juices, even diet food, or Spanish omelet, cold meat, cheese... You will definitely forget about eating along the morning... Your stomach will be pleased after visiting the breakfast room.

Staff are always very helpful and nice to you.

ZENIT ABEBA Alcántara, 63
Madrid - 28006 Madrid (España)
Tlf.+34 91 401 16 50
Fax+34 91 402 75 91
E-mail:abeba@zenithoteles.com