No Shuttle!
- March 16, 2008
- Rated 4 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
The primary reason I chose this hotel was that, according to the stated "Amenities" there was a Free Airport Shuttle. Do not be fooled! They do not, and have never had, an airport shuttle - free or otherwise. The cost of a one-way taxi from the international airport was over 30 Euros (at this time, about $45 US). Fortunately, if you are able to lug your bags along stairs and long hallways, and don't mind treking across the street, the hotel is very close to the Chamartin Metro Station, though you have to change trains at least once.
The hotel, though, is quite nice and I would recommend it to someone who is traveling light and can take the 2 Euro Metro ride without difficulty. Otherwise, it is not worth the extra cost of a taxi.
If you're interested in eating, remember that they are on Spanish time, and there are no meals available from about 4 in the afternoon until about 8:30 at night. The restaurants nearby, though they may have good food, are thick with cigarette smoke. So, if you have any allergies or asthma, wait for the hotel restaurant to open, since it appeared that it might have some non-smoking areas and the menu looked appetizing.
The rooms are large, especially by European standards. Many members of the staff speak English well, and were equally happy to suffer through bad Spanish to help. The staff was, in fact, quite accommodating when, at check-in, there was a very large tour group of well over 100 persons all vying for a spot at the desk. Even before I checked in, they allowed me to leave my bags and even gave me instructions on how to take the Metro to the Plaza Mayor, only 20 minutes away.