Moderno

The Moderno Puerta del Sol is located on a newly pedestrianized street, just steps away from the Metro in Plaza Sol. The Opera house and Plaza Mayor are only a five-minute walk down the street. The Royal Palace is beyond that. If it's action you're after in Madrid, this is the place to be.

Upstairs is old-school class. The 97 rooms are sophisticated with wooden floors and black-leather headboards. Design magazines and flashy city guides are stacked on writing desks.

In the bathrooms, shaving mirrors, a bathroom stool, and toiletry baskets (with combs) are available to guests. As an added treat, there are some hydro-massage bathtubs on offer.

Mind the kids! Hotel Moderno has a special agreement with an agency that organizes groups of youngsters, often times filling up the hotel weeks in advance. But don't let that discourage you from trying to book a room. It didn't discourage the Spanish businessmen we saw arrive at the hotel during our visit, who were on a first-name basis with the receptionists.