Hostal Alaska

The Hostal Alaska is located on a quaint street leading from Sol and dotted with drinking holes (many of them Irish). The hostal has just seven rooms, three exterior and four interior, though enough charm for a talisman. We fell in love with the owner's chilled-out Afghan dog, who loves playing host.

The Alaska is widely recommended, and for good reason. It's one of the best bargains in town. It's also an inarguably good place to stay for anyone with a penchant for historic preservation.

Our favorite rooms are No. 1 and 7, for their size and structural integrity. We've never seen so much space for so low a nightly rate in Madrid. Room No. 1 usually sleeps two but can fit up to five guests in its sitting area, which is set apart by original wood beams. Rooms are a brightly-painted yellow, with new French doors and a balcony. In room No. 7, original wood beams jut across the middle of the room. Against the room are old chests and antiqued-mirror wardrobes. Although it is an interior room, its large windows let in lots of light.

The other rooms are smaller and display no traces of the original structure; however, close attention has clearly been paid to the bathrooms' decorative tile.

Quirky throughout, Alaska's front entrance is decorated with vintage radios and other odds and ends, and holds a full-size refrigerator for common use.