It seems that if you make your reservations through internet agencies like expedia, they tend to give you less-than-hearty service. The same thing happened to us in Barcelona and Florence on this trip.

Rooms are clean and free of suspicious stains. They also have steel blinds that shut out all sunlight if you want a nice siesta in the afternoon. But the best thing about this hotel is the location (for us, at least!). Unlike other centrally located hotels (which this isn't) near Puerta del Sol and the noisy, touristy, and recent immigrant-infested Gran Via, the Wellington is a great getaway for families who want to be near the shopping boutiques of Calle de Serrano and the Parque del Buen Retiro. It is also an easy walk to the Columbus monument in Plaza de Colon.

Skip the hotel breakfast (or better yet, don't pay for it) and instead opt for breakfast at Mallorca on Calle de Serrano! You won't regret it!

Now fairly common, key cards are inserted in the door to get the electricity turned on. My small but lovely room had all the needed items, including a TV with a full lineup of international channels and a truly luxury bathroom. You don't even need to bring your toothbrush when you check in to this fine hotel!

Beware that sending your laundry out here will set you back $3.25 for a pair of socks! It is cheaper to buy new socks than send dirty ones out!

Madrid is one of the noisiest cities in the world. (They even brag about it.) Thus our room had heavy glazed storm windows, and on the inside, a metal roll-down shade and very heavy drapes. This also gave us the darkness needed for an afternoon nap--not a bad idea.

Our room featured the most comfortable bed I slept on in Spain: two twin beds which pushed together to make a king-sized bed, made up so tight I could hardly climb in. Five extra pillows, turndown service, damask sheets, and good reading lamps made this bed the ultimate luxury!

The luxury bathroom had full marble and a sliding glass door separating the toilet/bidet area from the rest of the room. That's a first! It also had double sinks, a large tub with an up-to-date flat showerhead, a very good hair dryer, and all the needed sorts of soaps, razors, and a bottle of cologne. A shelf above the sinks ensured your various toiletry kits stayed dry and out of the way. The hand towels were damask (lovely, but terry works better). The bath towels were as big as blankets!

The closet had plenty of hangers, including padded ones for knits. The room also had a full-service minibar.

Other hotel amenities included a swimming pool and health spa. Overall, the Wellington was very much like the ship Queen Elizabeth II in her prime, with superb, quiet service. Every guest a GUEST! Heavens! Not to mention the beautiful stained-glass windows on the stairs and the elegant lobby!

For a lover of fine hotels, this one is a joy! Every major listing of fine hotels in the world gives this hotel a very high rating. I agree.