Hostal La Plata

So often, old family-owned hostals in Spain conjure up thoughts of dated mismatched furniture and dusty corners. We live for those family-run places with nary an odd furnishing nor a dusty corner. La Plata is just one of these hostals.

Rooms are square and decently sized, with high ceilings and wooden headboards. The furniture is new, as well. Although the building is historic—Spanish nobles once stayed here—there's a uniquely modern touch to each room, with large original art. No room is identical; each features an eccentric mishmash of quilts and throw pillows.

Seven rooms have beautiful walkout balconies that look over a quiet side street, not the heavily trafficked Gran Vía. Interior rooms look out over an interior patio and the building's historic decorative windows.