Chueca is Madrid's answer to New York's Greenwich Village. The neighborhood is a rectangle of student life, gritty buildings, underground clubs and alternative lifestyles just north of Gran Via in the very center of the city. Staying in Chueca removes visitors from the ornate facades of old Madrid and provides a look into the lives of Spanish youth today. From Chueca it is an easy walk to all of Madrid's major attractions.
The Petit Palace Ducal Madrid is a member of the High Tech hotel chain. High Tech hotels market themselves as modern, efficient and well-equipped mid-range hotels for the leisure traveler. The Petit Palace Ducal fits this mold with an excellent location and a beautiful mid-century building, simple usable public spaces, and informal Chueca-styled decor. Standout amenities include daily newspapers, free breakfast daily, free bicycle loans, free Wi-Fi and discounted parking nearby. The guestrooms are plainly but comfortably decorated with flat screen TV, white decor and black furnishings, hydro-massage shower and safe. Rates for a double start around 88 euros (about $118) as of January, 2011.
Chueca Pensione's eight guestrooms are located in a light stone building in the heart of Chueca. Simple, clean and cheap are the keys at this budget hotel. The pensione is run by its owner Beni Uria and her stated goal is to "strive to offer my guests a quiet, serene and friendly atmosphere." The guestrooms are furnished with Ikea items but also feature helpful amenities like en-suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making materials, cable TV and free Wi-Fi. Rates for a double start around 60 euros (about $80) as of January, 2011.
The four-star Hotel Siete Islas is located in a large flag-fronted building just off Gran Via at Calle Valverde. Accommodations at the hotel are unremarkable but you can expect a clean, comfortable and well placed stay for a good rate. The hotel has no-frill standard amenities like free newspaper, bar, restaurant, free daily breakfast and business-friendly services like fax and conference rooms. Guestroom decor is somewhat dated but functional with satellite TV, plain wood furniture, work desk, climate control and high-speed Internet access. Rates for a double start around 106 euros (about $142) as of January, 2011.
The Hotel Lusso Infantas is another of the Chueca four-stars occupying a large, elegant corner building with wrought iron balconies and stone framed windows. A mix between boutique and traditional hotel, the Lusso Infantas has only 40 rooms but offers services like restaurant, cafeteria, 24-hour room service, bike rentals and free daily newspaper. The hotel welcomes its share of business travelers into its rather cozy and non-traditional meeting rooms. The smallish guestrooms have French doors opening onto the street, flat screen TV, leather chairs, minibar, air-conditioning, Wi-Fi and wood floors. Rates for a double start around 86 euros (about $115) as of January, 2011.
