Puerta del Sol / Gran Vía

B and B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol

★★★★★

For travellers who want to spend their money on Madrid rather than on a hotel room, the B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol offers one of the best locations in the city at a budget price. The hotel is at Calle de la Montera 10-12, a pedestrianised street that runs from the Puerta del Sol up to the Gran Vía, so the Sol metro and commuter train station is a minute's walk away and the whole historic centre, from the Plaza Mayor to the Royal Palace, the Gran Vía, Malasaña and the Barrio de las Letras, is within a short stroll. B&B Hotels is a European budget chain known for clean, modern, efficient rooms at fair prices, and this is one of its best-placed properties in Spain. There are 74 rooms, in categories from single premium and double premium to doubles with a private terrace, with a contemporary design, comfortable beds, central air conditioning and heating, which matter in Madrid's hot summers and cold winters, and free wifi. Breakfast is an all-you-can-eat buffet, a good way to start a long day of sightseeing, and the reception is open around the clock, useful for late arrivals and early departures. There are no extras such as a pool, a restaurant or a gym, and rooms are compact, but everything is clean and functional, and the savings compared with nearby hotels can be significant. Next door, a rooftop bar operated independently is available for a drink with a view, though it is not a hotel service. The hotel holds a three-star rating.

Who it suits: budget travellers, solo visitors and couples who want to be in the very centre and spend their days out exploring; first-time visitors who want to walk everywhere; and anyone arriving late or leaving early who needs a 24-hour reception and fast transport links. It is not suited to families who need large rooms, or to those looking for facilities or character. Calle de la Montera is very busy, with shoppers by day and crowds at night, and parts of it have a gritty reputation after dark; it is generally safe, but keep an eye on your belongings and expect street noise.

Living in it: book a premium double or a room with a terrace for a little more space and light, and request an upper floor or a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper. Breakfast is included with some rates and can be added to others; check at booking. Use the Sol station for fast commuter-train links to Atocha and Chamartín for day trips, and the metro for the airport. For food, the tapas bars of the Barrio de las Letras and the Mercado de San Miguel are within a few minutes' walk.

Value: rates are among the lowest for a hotel in the heart of Madrid, especially outside peak periods. Madrid does not currently charge a tourist tax. Choose it for a clean, modern, affordable base a minute from the Puerta del Sol, and spend the savings on tapas and flamenco.