Villa Real Hotel

Recommended for a later date

This hotel is in a great location...within walking distance of just about everything. The problem...a massive construction project on the streets that begins/ends right outside the hotel door. Sometimes the walk was a little treacherous with lots of people in the area and cars too. While it was comfortable enough, the lobby is small without a formal concierge. It is not really a 5 star hotel, but the location is 5 star. It was a comfortable stay for the Christmas holidays. The staff was friendly and very helpful, but the walls are thin and the construction outside was annoying. I would recommend it strongly once the construction is complete.

Great Choice in the Center of Madrid

While the beds are HARD at the Villa Real, everything else is soft and lovely. The front desk staff was extremely helpful, the location of the hotel is ideal, and, unlike the Ritz or Westin, there is absolutely no pretense. Check if there is construction going on in the plaza directly in front of the hotel. SOOO noisy. If no construction, then ask for a front room; it offers a much better view of the city than the rear. Not sure if this is 5 stars in luxury, but whatever, we found a good rate on Expedia and don’t regret a minute of our wonderful stay in Madrid at the Villa Real.

A WONDERFUL PLACE IN MADRID

The accomodations were great. Clean and rooms were comfortable. Walking distance to just about everything. Construction is taking place throughout Madrid as well as near our hotel. This could have been inconvenient, but was done well to accomdate the tourist. Once the construction is complete, location will be awesome. We enjoyed our stay very much and would recommend to future travelers.

Derby Villa Real partners with Hotel Urban

The Derby Villa Real has chronic A/C breakdowns, so they refer guests to their sister hotel Urban, a few blocks away...for the same price you go from a 4 star to a 5 star. A very nice surprise. The Urban is very unique, with archeological details in public areas and in every guestroom. Modular and modern in design, absolutely quiet while over a very busy traffic center; beautiful rooftop pool, restaurant and bar. House gift of chilled cava was very nice, yet the vase stayed without a flower throughout our stay...not sure why. Staff was very kind. The location is absolutely perfect to all Madrid locations, museums, metro, shopping.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

It’s a shock to get off a trans-Atlantic night flight and be told that your hotel is closed...but this was a very pleasant surprise, and seems it happens quite often. The Villa Real’s A/C problem became our upgrade!

Great Experience

This hotel is top notch from accomodations to location. Located in a great area of Madrid and within walking distance of many shops, restaurants and monuments. I would definitely stay there again the next time I go to Madrid

ok hotel

our stay was pleasant, but i wouldn’t consider this to be a 5 star hotel. their sister hotel is probably a better bet. nothing really luxurious about this hotel.

Good value

Faces a small park, only a few hundred feet from the Neptune fountain, Prado and Thyssen. Great location for a Spring trip to Madrid. Smallish and cute, redone tastefully with sunken sitting areas and leather furniture. Very helpful staff.

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

Guests here have access to the pool at Hotel Urban, 1/2 block away. Also, consider the subway to/from the airport, only 2E compared to a 30+/-E taxi, but you need to change lines twice. If you get at all comfortable with using the subway, it’s easy to do.

Amazing.....

Super location, marvelous staff, lovely room. classy, but not pretentious at all. The staff goes out of their way to be helpful and was able to make numerous arrangements for us. the special touches made all the difference....

Great Location

Beautiful hotel in a great location.

Great value for the money

This hotel is in an excellent location (near the Prado and Thyssen museums). The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly. The room itself was very spacious and nicely laid out - especially for the price. My only negative was that the beds were a bit hard. But I’d definitely go back.

Location and staff were outstanding

Terrific location in downtown. Close to museums and scores of fine restaurants. Breakfast room was bright and clean and a wonderful selection to start the day. The staff was friendly and there for every need. The snacks in the bar are great. The only issue was that three cab drivers at the airport never heard of the "Derby" Villa Real. Leave off the "Derby"!

This was my second stay and I would happily return.

The Villa Real is the best value in a five-star hotel I have seen in a long time. Rooms are not huge but they are elegant and very functional (most with a split-level design that gives a feeling of spaciousness), staff are very helpful (including bringing my custom-specified breakfast every morning), and the location cannot be beat -- right in the center across from the Thyssen gallery and two blocks from the Prado. Meeting rooms are also available and well-appointed. A great hotel for business travellers.

Traveler's tip on dining

As the concierge will also tell you, the Rincon de Esteban restaurant just behind the hotel is absolutely superb, if you are looking for a gourmet and rather elegant meal with a friendly atmosphere.

Great location, excellent service

Perfectly located for a visit to the Prado and other tourist sights in Madrid. The staff were friendly and helpful and there are many restaurants nearby. The bar at the hotel is a great place for a glass of wine at the end of a long day.

Traveler's tip on dining

Starbucks is one block away at the Palace Hotel.

NOT A FIVE STAR HOTEL

The hotel is ok, but expensive because it is not a 5 stars hotel. Bath is small and also the pillows were very hard. I have been many times in Madrid and can do better than this.

Traveler's tip on dining

Good location. Easy to find good restaurants

Excellent Hotel

Excellent hotel the only problem during our stay was the hotel’s TV satellite was not working. You could only get spanish channels and we wanted to get CNN in English. We had to wait until Monday for a company to come and fix the problem since nobody would come during the weekend. It was fixed on Monday but then Tuesday it was not working again. Besides that our stay at Derby Villa Real was wonderful, excellent hotel and great location.

Great location and helpful staff

I was a woman traveling alone. Felt safe at hotel and in surrounding area. The hotel was clean and quite with a large sitting room and a bottle of wine at the end of the first day. The front desk very helpful, even called the airline to confirm my flight when the airline computers were down.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

The Prado was open free to the public one night 6-8. Check schedules on arrival. Was able to focus on the Goya exhibit and then returned another day using the 3 musuem pass. See Goya exhibit and find his other works on the lower and upper floors. Wonderful.

Villa Real Nice

The hotel and service were great. The only thing I didn’t like was the advertised " free internet" and WiFi, that really meant they have one computer in the lobby that everyone has to pretty much take a number to use. The WiFi service was not through them and was a pay per hour kind of deal. Overall it was a nice, comfortable hotel with modern decor.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

This hotel is located a few blocks from the nearest Metro station. Takethe Metro and save the 40 euros on the cab from the airport.

Madid

Great location, but no morning coffee!!

Loved the area it was in

Hotel was alright. If we were to go back, I think I would try another hotel in the same area for around the same price range to compare. The walls were paper thin could hear everything in the next rooms and above. Flew into Madrid stayed here for 3 nights and thought it was really nice. We then drove around Spain and France and came back here for the last 4 nights of our vacation. Compared to the other hotels we stayed at, realized this one was just adequate. I put yes on recommending this hotel, only because I don’t know what the other hotels are like in Madrid. If you do stay here you might want to ask for a room that doesn’t face the street, very very noisy until about 11:00 then starts back up around 6:00.

Madrid Vacation

Hotel was very central to downtown Madrid and museums but rather far from the airport -- options to get to hotel were to take a taxi (very expensive) or take the metro (hard to do with luggage) -- anyone staying here should be aware of this. Hotel itself was beautiful, concierge very helpful, rooms were gorgeous.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Don’t miss the Reina Sofia museum - excellent!

Great location

Truly enjoyed this hotel. It was conviently located and a pretty good value. The staff was very professional.

Traveler's tip on dining

A resturant within walking distance that was terrific was Llardy’s.

Nice... Not Luxurious

This is a nice, centrally located hotel, very close to all 3 major museums. Restaurants and shopping are about a 5-10min walk towards Puerta del Sol. Although our room faced the street it was quiet at night. The staff was very helpful, arranged tickets for the bullfight and a sold out soccer game with very little notice. I was somewhat disappointed with the room as it was not a 2 story penthouse as I had read. It was a room with a step down sitting area. The bed was too hard to be comfortable and the bathroom was quite small. For what we paid I would have preferred to stay at a more luxurious hotel.

Traveler's tip on dining

Hotel has a nice breakfast, not included & expensive. Tapas Bar:La Casa Del Abuelo near Plaza Santa Ana on Calle Victoria 12. It was established over 100yrs ago and is known for it’s shrimp dishes. Love Chocolate??? You must try Chocolateria San Gines in the Puerta del Sol area San Gines 5. This cafe serves the thickest hot chocolate you will ever see with a side of churros for dipping!

Nice... Not Luxurious

This is a nice, centrally located hotel, very close to all 3 major museums. Restaurants and shopping are about a 5-10min walk towards Puerta del Sol. Although our room faced the street it was quiet at night. The staff was very helpful, arranged tickets for the bullfight and a sold out soccer game with very little notice. I was somewhat disappointed with the room as it was not a 2 story penthouse as I had read. It was a room with a step down sitting area. The bed was too hard to be comfortable and the bathroom was quite small. For what we paid I would have preferred to stay at a more luxurious hotel.

Traveler's tip on dining

Hotel has a nice breakfast, not included & expensive. Tapas Bar:La Casa Del Abuelo near Plaza Santa Ana on Calle Victoria 12. Delicious Shrimp in Garlic sauce. Established over 100yrs ago. LOVE CHOCOLATE? You must try Chocolateria San Gines in the Puerta del Sol area San Gines 5. This cafe serves the thickest hot chocolate you will ever see with a side of churros for dipping! Yummy!!!