The hype
Incredible views and breakfast, but the elevators are a nightmare and the rooms are noisy.
Riu Plaza Espana
$150-280 / nótt
Pantaðu þetta ef You want the ultimate Madrid Instagram shot and don't mind sacrificing peace and quiet to get it.
Af hverju fólk elskar þetta
- The 360º rooftop views are genuinely world-class
- Dead-center location on Gran Vía
- Guests get free (and usually priority) access to the rooftop bar
Stutt samantekt: It’s less a hotel and more a vertical theme park for tourists who want to say they stayed in the Edificio España.
Farið yfir af @london.insider.guide_jg: I was blown away by the sheer scale of this place. The breakfast buffet is legendary for a reason—fresh churros every morning! Ending the day on the rooftop terrace with those 360-degree views of Madrid was the highlight of my trip.
Gestur sem dvaldi hér sagði
Reality check
The 'VIP' feeling evaporates when you're standing in a 20-minute line just to get to the breakfast buffet.
- You live for the 'gram (the glass walkway is a magnet)
- You want to be in the absolute center of the action
- You enjoy the energy of a mega-resort in a city center
Hreinlæti og viðhald
8.5
- Housekeeping: Generally efficient daily service, though high turnover means occasional missed dust or trash.
- Bathroom hygiene: Visually clean, but frequent reports of 'sewage smells' from drains suggest plumbing maintenance issues.
- Maintenance: Modern and shiny on the surface, but elevators and AC units are prone to glitches.
- Linens & towels: Standard hotel grade—clean but some guests find the sheets 'scratchy' and pillows thin.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells of signature perfume; hallways can smell musty; bathrooms occasionally smell of sewer gas.
Sleepability™
5.5MIÐLUNGS
0-4HÁTT
4-7.5MIÐLUNGS
7.5-10ÞÖGULT
- Rooftop bar bass (floors 23-25)
- Neighbor noise (thin walls/connecting doors)
- Gran Vía sirens and traffic
Áður en þú bókar
Gott að vita
- Guests skip the long line for the rooftop bar (look for the 'Hotel Guests' lane).
- Breakfast is a zoo after 9:00 AM; go at 7:30 AM to actually enjoy it.
- The pool is more for dipping than swimming and fills up instantly.
Hvað á að pakka
- High-fidelity earplugs (Loop or similar)
- European power adapter (outlets are standard EU Type F)
- Patience for the elevators
Herbergis-Genie
Bestu val
- Deluxe Room with Terrace (worth the upgrade for private outdoor space)
- Floors 15-20 (high enough for views, low enough to avoid rooftop noise)
Herbergi til að forðast
- Floors 24-25 (directly under the nightclub/bar)
- Rooms near the elevator bank (constant dinging and chatter)
- Lower floors facing Gran Vía (traffic noise)
Herbergisbeiðna-Genie – afrita og líma
“I am requesting a room on floors 15-20, strictly AWAY from the elevators. Please ensure the room is NOT directly under the 26th-floor bar/kitchen to avoid impact noise. A view of Plaza de España is preferred over Gran Vía to minimize street noise.”
Algengar spurningar og falin ábendingar
Allt sem þú vilt vita áður en þú bókar.
Is the rooftop bar free for guests?
Yes, access is free for guests (saving you €5-10), and you usually get to skip the general public line.
Is the pool open year-round?
No. It is seasonal (June to September) and unheated. It is also very small for the size of the hotel.
Can I open the windows?
Mostly no. Windows are often locked for safety, which can make rooms stuffy if the AC struggles (a common complaint).
Is it noisy?
Yes. It is one of the noisiest luxury hotels in Madrid due to its location and construction.
How much is parking?
Approx. €32.50 per day. It's a tight garage; let them know your car size in advance.
Is breakfast included?
Not in the base rate. It costs ~€30/person if added later, so book a rate that includes it if you plan to eat there.
Innherja ábendingar
- ✨
If the bathroom smells like sewage, run water in the bidet and shower immediately—the traps dry out quickly in this building.
- ✨
Use the 'Rooftop Express Pass' lane if you are a guest; do not wait in the line wrapping around the block.
- ✨
The 'Glass Walkway' is terrifyingly crowded at sunset; go at 11 AM right when it opens for a solo shot.
5 hlutir sem þú ættir að vita áður en þú ferð
💡The 'sewage smell' in bathrooms is a recurring complaint due to plumbing venting issues.
💡You might wait 15 minutes for an elevator during check-out time (11 AM - 12 PM).
💡The 'double beds' are often two twins pushed together that slide apart.
💡The rooftop glass walkway is smaller than it looks in photos and vibrates when crowded.
💡Housekeeping sometimes skips refilling the complimentary water after the first night.
Staðbundin handbók
Kort
Sjáðu hvar Riu Plaza Espana er staðsett og hvað er nálægt.