This has long been one of my favorite hotels in Madrid for its location and convenience for where I need to be. This small hotel offers everything you need in an excellent location with unique, locally inspired design (a hallmark of the Hotel Indigo brand). These are my top five favorite reasons for staying at Hotel Indigo Madrid Princesa.
The location
I have to start with the location because it is so convenient to a lot. You’re on the edge of the touristic center when you stay here with everything easily accessible on foot. You are about five minutes from Plaza de España and Gran Vía.
If you want to take the metro, you can get anywhere from literally the doorstep of this hotel, which is often more affordable than other hotels closer to the city’s famous art museums or the Royal Palace.
Another reason why the hotel is excellent, is that it works very well for business travelers that need to be at nearby offices along Calle Princesa.
The rooms
Recently renovated, they feature parquet floors and a contemporary design that is clean and minimalist. I especially love the fact that they have interesting photos and art pieces from around Madrid above the bed. That adds a really local sense of place.
The beds are extra comfortable, and I like that there are power outlets of multiple kinds and USB outlets on either side. I especially love the rooms that are on the corners, like those that end in -12 here for their sitting areas that have double views of the main street.
Bathrooms are bright and come with eco-friendly toiletries in pump bottles. Almost all rooms have combination tubs with half glass panels (that sometimes splash water around the space, but that is common across Europe).
The bar and restaurant
While stopping into a hotel bar or restaurant might be unusual in the United States, here, you will find locals stopping in from morning to night. In the morning, they come in for a cup of coffee or traditional Spanish toast with fresh tomato and olive oil. Later, they hang around for an after-work light bite to eat or a glass of wine. The restaurant serves a lovely menu of local dishes.
Breakfast each morning is served in a separate room with a very small buffet, but lovely buffet. I wish they would add more variation in what is on offer for people who stay here for multiple nights.
The hidden facilities
The hotel packs a lot into the small space here. For starters, the front desk staff is amazing. Many of them have been here for decades. Once the Hotel Tirol, the property has many of its original architectural elements, including its vintage neon sign on the rooftop.
It is proud of this important landmark status in the neighborhood. You will find a gym in the second floor, with free weights, and a few pieces of cardio equipment. On the same floor, you can also sit in a quiet lounge and work on a sofa or print documents in the small business center. The front desk is also happy to print boarding passes or other things as you need.
The IHG connection
Best of all is the ability to earn or redeem hotel points when staying here. IHG One Rewards gives you the opportunity to earn points wherever you stay around the world within its large portfolio. And if you have one of its co-branded credit cards, you can earn bonus points when using the card to pay for your stay.
I love using my points when I stay here, because it is a great value, and the staff is really wonderful. My IHG Diamond status, which I achieved by through my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, adds even more benefits like free breakfast, room upgrades and welcome gifts (like bonus points or a drink in the bar).
It’s free to join, and it’s worth it because you earn benefits instantly for being a member. There are often promotions throughout the year, too, that offer things like bonus points or double night credits to get you closer to elite status.
