Hotel review: NH Collection Madrid Gran Via, Madrid, Spain

A gorgeous new hotel in the heart of the action

Now I’ll be honest, I don’t typically like chain hotels as I feel they’re seriously lacking in charm or character. But there are chains and then there are exceptional hotel groups and the NH Collection is most definitely the latter. Part of the NH Collection hotel group, the NH Collection Madrid Gran Via is a stylish new four-star hotel located on the buzzing Gran Via, Madrid’s busiest shopping avenue.

The seriously cool decor in the lower lobby and the reception lounge. See if you can spot which one is my husband...

There is a decidedly cool vibe that runs throughout the hotel from the funky art prints featuring animals donning stylish clothes to the graffiti style paint in the lobby lounge to the ultra-chic rooftop patio with its understated elegance, which combined create a fabulous ambiance.

As soon as guests arrive at reception on the 7th floor, the staff are quick to great you with a smile and offer you a glass of chilled flavoured water to sip while you sign in, a small but welcome gesture.

​Our Room
There are 93 rooms in the hotel, including Superior, Junior and Premium Suite options. We stayed in Room 606, which although petite, was a sexy little number with an understated colour palette consisting of ash-coloured wood panelling and flooring, a chic midnight blue sofa, a sage green rug and crisp white bedding.  The room is equipped with black-out blinds and a sliding door partition, which separates the bedroom from the living area, so you’re ensured a peaceful night’s sleep – something we’ve been seriously lacking the past 11 months!

The world's comfiest bed in sleek and sexy room 606

The modern bedroom and bathroom 

Mini Miln testing out his bed. I think he approves.

​The real draw of the room is its expansive wrap-around private balcony, which afforded us with incredible views of Madrid’s main street, the Gran Via.  If we hadn’t had mini Miln in tow, we most definitely would have enjoyed a glass of vino on the balcony, watching the action unfold below.

​The bathroom was gorgeous and had a huge shower that could have comfortably fit four people (not that we tried mind you), with an overhead rain shower and a handheld shower. We also found the pair of sinks came in very handy as we used one exclusively for washing the baby's bottles (needs must and all that jazz). The hotel provides a large selection of fabulous own-brand toiletries, including additional toiletries you wouldn’t normally receive such as a deep conditioning hair mask. They also provide a Black Mambo hairdryer, which is much better than those terrible wimpy wall-mounted hair dryers that some hotels still insist on using.

Food and drink
Breakfast, which is served buffet style, was fab. Options on offer included made-from-scratch omelettes, Spanish omelettes, fresh fruits, meats and cheeses, breads and a pastry bar. 

Starting our day right with a tasty breakfast

Picalagartos, the onsite restaurant located on the 7th floor, is lovely and has both indoor and outdoor seating options.  ​​

The menu devised by chef Javier Muñoz-Calero pays homage to Spanish cuisine and seasonal produce and features traditional Spanish tapas dishes (ham croquettes, sausages, salted meats, etc.) as well as a selection of mains. We devoured the succulent sirloin in mixed herbs, which was perfectly seasoned with a chimichurri style sauce. Paired with thick-cut homemade fries and fried jalapeños, it was divine.  The baked hake with a delicate saffron sauce was light, flaky and equally delicious.

​Of course, no meal in Spain is complete without Sangria, so we happily obliged and left feeling a tad merrier than when we’d arrived!

Sirloin in mixed herbs and saffron hake

The Picalagartos Madrid Sky Bar
The heart of the hotel is the Picalagartos Sky Bar, the rooftop patio bar where trendy locals and tourists alike gather to enjoy cocktails and unparalleled views of the city. Lush greenery cascades over one section of the patio, making for gorgeous ‘Instagramable’ shots and low sofas and tables scattered throughout provide the perfect place to relax as you gaze at the city below. One of our friends who is a local informed us there isn’t a better view to be had, so we’ll take her word for it!

Venturing further afield
Madrid is easy to explore, whether you’re on foot or by hop-on, hop-off tour bus and there is a wealth of things to see and do – even if you have limited time in the city. Must-see highlights include Retiro Park (one of the most beautiful parks I’ve ever laid eyes on), San Miguel Market (an upscale foodie market that welcomes more than 10 million visitors per year) and the world-famous Prado Museum, which is only a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The popular shopping street Calle Fuencarral and the Chueca and Malasaña neighbourhoods renowned for their bars, are all within easy reach. 
​
​The Verdict
If you’re looking for a cool hotel with seriously friendly staff located smack in the middle of Madrid, it can’t be beat.

The details
Prices  during the month of October start from €230 in a double room without breakfast.
​
NH Collection Madrid Gran Via
Gran Vía 21
28013
Madrid
Spain
 
www.nh-hotels.com

A summary of our stay at NH Collection Madrid Gran Via

Best bits

• Location, location, location. You won’t find a handier base for exploring the city in all its glory
• The friendly staff who are always on hand to provide recommendations to ensure you enjoy your stay and all that Madrid has to offer

Worst bits

• Unfortunately, there isn’t a rooftop pool, which would be amazing on a hot summer’s day
• You can’t order food on the rooftop, only in Picalagartos, which seems like a missed opportunity

Most suited for

• Couples or families looking for a great base to explore Madrid

​Family perks

• Premium rooms can take an extra bed (charge approximately 50 per cent of room rate) and Junior suites have a sofa bed. Connecting rooms are available and infant travel cots can be provided on request
• Children receive their own toiletry bag filled with NH Collection branded child-friendly grooming products (shampoo, body wash, lotion) and a hair brush, which is a nice touch
• Babysitting service can be arranged 

​Top tips

• Parking is available at an adjacent public car park (from €25/£22 per day)
• A late check-out on Sundays (3pm) is offered at no extra charge

Ashley Miln
*During my visit I was hosted by the lovely team at NH Collection Madrid Gran Via. All opinions and photography are my own. 

Our experience overall 
Location: ★★★★★
Ambiance ★★★★★
Food and drink: ★★★★
Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★★★