Just a manchego roll down the road from the 24hr bustle of Puerta del Sol, and surrounded by small streets thronging with bars, lies the sometimes sleepy but mainly lively Plaza Santa Ana – the very quintessence of Madrid.
It goes without saying, then, that when checking into this stately 1920s jewel, you should plump for a view over the square, and the Mode Room offers just that through an enormous, original arched window frame – although that’s about the only antique feature you’ll be finding inside… All abodes have been modernly appointed with blond woods, white walls, plasma TV, 50+ channels, home cinema with surround-sound and DVD library, iPod dock, free WiFi, and a hydromassage shower – in the unlikely event that you want to spend an evening in front of the telly.
Otherwise, social flutterbyes can work the scene upstairs at the city’s most happening rooftop bar, and homebirds can settle in at the restaurant for family recipe-inspired cooking, or better yet, go out onto the plaza for una caña at one of the many heaving local bars. Salud!
ME Madrid Reina Victoria, Plaza de Santa Ana, 14, +34 912 76 47 47, melia.com
