Tryp Gran Via

An historic establishment with class, the Tryp hotel on Gran Vía is a safe, moderately-priced bet. The hotel was certainly good enough for Ernest Hemingway, who often chose to stay here during the Spanish War. In fact, Hemingway sat in the hotel's café and watched the telecommunications building across the street get bombed. Today guests eat breakfast and watch the news on a big flat-panel television in this very café.

The building dates from 1926. Every room is unique. Most rooms have one floor-to-ceiling exterior windows, while some (like room 220) have two. These differences are not reflected in room rates, which are identical throughout the hotel. The best values at Tryp Gran Vía are the balconied family rooms, also good for larger groups. Interior rooms are very quiet, and as such represent a good option for those intending to head to bed early.

Lighting in the 175 rooms is modern, a nice contrast to the hotel's high, elegant ceilings. Heavy tapestry and matching bedspreads complement each other. The bamboo plants decorating the bathrooms are an extra treat. Minibars can be found throughout.