Hotel Meninas-Boutique Hotel

Located near the Opera house on a quiet street near design-savvy bars and cafés, Hotel Meninas is in our opinion the most tasteful non-chain establishment in the city. During Gay Pride Week, gay visitors rated it the event's official hotel. It's a four-star hotel that offers five-star services and top-notch amenities (chill-out café, library, plasma TV and goldfish in the lounge) for three-star prices. No wonder United Nations officials have been known to stay here!

Rooms are decorated with in warm, earthy tones. In common spaces, the building's 1860 integrity has been left virtually untouched, with preserved details such as antique vents as decoration along the wooden staircases. Guests choose pillows from the hotel's pillow menu and rest easy on hydraulic mattresses. In the bathroom, hydro-massage showers and telephones are a given. There are double sinks and showers built for two. Plasma televisions are outfitted with DVD players. In addition to providing Wi-Fi free of charge, the hotel offers its guests laptops to use during their stay.

Downstairs a beautiful "cave," a large cellar found in most old Madrid structures, hosts intimate breakfasts. Anyone off the street who knows the hotel's hidden secrets can pop in for breakfast for an added fee.