My journey to Madrid was a visit of many firsts. From my first-ever worldwide business-class flight over the Atlantic Ocean to my first grownup solo journey, I had no concept what to anticipate, what to do and what to see — particularly in such a restricted period of time.
It was go-time as quickly because the airplane touched down at Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport (MAD). I had 5 days and plenty to expertise. Within the phrases of Woman Gaga, it was very a lot “bus, membership, one other membership, one other membership, airplane, subsequent place.”
Earlier than I dove head-first into the motion and started to discover the town, I used to be desirous to get to my lodge and drop off my luggage.
After navigating my first time on Madrid’s metro system — which, fortunately, was not too complicated in comparison with New York Metropolis’s — I discovered myself within the neighborhood of Arguelles. It is a residential however energetic space filled with espresso retailers and shops the place I realized a number of Madrilenos name dwelling. It will be my dwelling for the following couple of days, too, as I stayed at Lodge Indigo Madrid Princesa.
From the cute neighborhood to my expertise navigating European adapters and lights (which required housekeeping to assist me flip them on), here is what staying on the Lodge Indigo Madrid Princesa was like.
Getting There
It is fairly straightforward to succeed in the lodge, because of Madrid’s strong and dependable transportation system. Positive, you might take an Uber or a taxi, which could be fairly reasonably priced in comparison with different massive cities, however if you’d like the true Madrileno expertise, I extremely recommend taking the metro. Should you take an Uber or a Cab, you may anticipate to pay anyplace from 25 to 30 euros ($27 to $33) on common from the airport to the town heart.
There is a prepare station inside the airport the place you may choose up a Multi card; just like a Metrocard in New York Metropolis, you may load and reload as a lot as you would like onto the cardboard.
Associated: Your Factors and Miles Information to Madrid
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I paid 28 euros ($30) for a five-day cross, which gave me limitless entry to the metro inside the metropolis. Nevertheless, if you wish to enterprise outdoors the town heart, it’s essential to pay a further charge. If taking the metro to and from the airport, you will additionally must anticipate a further airport charge of two.5 euros ($2.75).
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All through my time in Madrid, I discovered the metro extremely dependable. In truth, I by no means took an Uber or a cab as a result of navigable transportation community and the walkability of every part.
Reserving the lodge Indigo Madrid Princesa
Because the Lodge Indigo chain is part of the IHG household, you might use IHG One Rewards factors to cowl your keep. On common, you may anticipate finding redemptions anyplace between 20,000-30,000 IHG One Rewards Factors per evening, relying on the time of yr you go, in fact.
Usually, charges at this property fall someplace under $200 per evening; for a Full Mattress City Normal room like mine, you might even discover charges for as little as $102 per evening, relying on the time of yr you go.
For 2 nights, I paid a complete of 332 euros (or about $365.23) utilizing my Chase Sapphire Most well-liked card, which supplies me 2 factors per greenback spent on journey purchases, similar to lodges for one.
I did not assume the worth was dangerous for a two-night keep. Had I stayed at trendier, closer-to-the-action lodges just like the Thompson Madrid or the Hyatt Centric Gran Through Madrid, I’d’ve needed to fork over rather more for a two-night keep.
Standout Options
- The situation: Located within the Arguelles neighborhood of Madrid, which is adjoining to widespread neighborhoods like Sol or Callao, you will be proper within the coronary heart of the motion. Nevertheless, you may get a bit of respiratory room once you want a respite from the busy streets.
- The smooth, fashionable design made this boutique lodge really feel like an upscale property for a considerably decrease price.
- Each interplay I had with the lodge employees — from the type entrance desk employee who shocked me with an early check-in to the pleasant housekeeper who got here to my help once I could not work out the sunshine swap — was constructive. The folks made my expertise that significantly better.
Drawbacks
- The rooms are undoubtedly on the smaller facet, so it ‘s not probably the most remote-work-friendly. If you wish to get some work performed, you might wish to make the most of the enterprise heart downstairs or head to a close-by espresso store.
- The lodge’s facilities had been minimal; the small health club may simply get overcrowded if greater than three or 4 folks used the tools directly.
- I discovered myself wishing the closet area was larger and that there was more room for my belongings. For instance, I may’ve hung extra of my objects if the closet rod was a bit longer.
Checking in
After a 40-minute prepare journey from the airport, I stepped outdoors the station with my little suitcase, and at that second, it hit me that I had lastly made it. “Toto, we’re not in New York anymore,” was the primary thought that got here to thoughts.
Fortunately, I may spot the lodge from the metro cease, and after crossing the busy road, I discovered myself proper in entrance of Lodge Indigo.
After I entered, I used to be greeted with a wealthy, citrusy bergamot scent, which I loved. The foyer was modest in measurement and never crowded. In truth, it was very quiet, and the vibes had been mellow.
It was midday once I arrived, so I used to be not anticipating my room to be prepared. I had ready to kindly ask if the entrance desk would maintain my luggage whereas I began on some sightseeing. To my shock, although, the useful front-desk agent knowledgeable me that my room was prepared and I may verify in if I needed.
Wanting to drop off my baggage and perhaps wash the airplane scent off, I excitedly took my room keys and took the small elevator to the third ground.
For these of you new to Europe like me, the lodges do issues a bit of otherwise than we do right here within the U.S. For starters, the bottom ground, which I’d name the primary ground, is, the truth is, ground zero. The second ground is the primary, and so forth. So in idea, again dwelling, my room can be on the second ground.
The Room
After I first entered the room, I panicked. No, it wasn’t that the lodge had given me another person’s room key, however moderately I used to be confronted with my first dose of tradition shock.
The room mild swap wasn’t working. After spending 5 minutes attempting to determine the sunshine state of affairs, I used to be about to go again downstairs once I got here throughout a pleasant housekeeper. I defined my state of affairs and my ineptitude with European mild switches since this was my first time on the continent (not to mention touring solo to a spot I would by no means been earlier than).
Kindly, the housekeeper adopted me into my room and turned on the sunshine in two seconds. All it took was inserting my lodge keycard in a slot subsequent to the door and there was mild, a fan, the entire works. Due to my restricted journey expertise, I used to be unfamiliar with this process, however it’s rather more widespread than I noticed.
As soon as I found out the lighting state of affairs, I used to be in a position to benefit from the area. My room confronted the rear of the constructing, so I did not essentially get any jaw-dropping Madrid views. Sadly, that additionally meant it did not have a lot pure lighting.
Getting into the medium-size room, I felt like I used to be again dwelling in my East Village bed room. It was small however snug and had sufficient area to lounge, calm down and get some relaxation.
At simply 172 sq. ft, it is protected to say the room’s compact measurement encourages one to get out and discover the town moderately than lounge round.
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The closet, which was much less of a full closet and extra like a utility cart, had many hidden drawers and areas for storing my belongings. Though I needed there was area to stow my suitcase there, it was practical sufficient to get the job performed.
At first, I had a tough time finding the room’s protected, which is one thing I are inclined to make the most of throughout my travels to maintain all my necessary paperwork and belongings. After toying round with the open-concept closet, I pushed on what I assumed was only a wood accent piece; lo and behold, there was the protected.
The total-size mattress was snug, however the pillows had been unimaginable — I’d’ve liked to take one dwelling.
Regardless of what number of instances my travel-expert buddies at TPG instructed me, I did not put together for the bane of a U.S. traveler’s existence: the dreaded European energy shops. The partitions did have USB ports, however since my telephone and laptop each use USB-C chargers, that did not assist me. Think about this a pleasant reminder to not neglect a journey adapter.
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The toilet was sizable in comparison with my small New York Metropolis condo toilet. The bathe, which had full-size bottles of citrus-scented Zenology merchandise, was a spotlight, because of the oh-so-sweet sensation of closely pressurized water.
Nevertheless, very similar to different components of my journey, getting used to working it was an adjustment. Not like the showers I’ve used at dwelling, this bathe was attention-grabbing, to say the least. What regarded like a chrome steel rod was, the truth is, not. You needed to twist the left facet of the rod to show it on, and the best facet managed the temperature.
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The Vibe
The lodge’s design was very a lot what I name cosmopolitan. From midcentury modern-inspired furnishings to the nice and cozy hues all through, it was evident upon coming into the lodge that this it’s for metropolis slickers — those that are all the time on the go and want a snug place to relaxation their head when the celebration is over.
The lodge affords one thing for everybody, from households to enterprise vacationers to even a few fellow solo vacationers I had the chance to fulfill. In different phrases, the clientele was various.
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I observed that every part concerning the lodge appeared smaller than American requirements. All the pieces was smaller than anticipated, from the elevators to the visitor room. Wanting again, although, I understand the great thing about it: Scale back the dimensions of your area so you may exit and discover the vastness of Madrid.
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Meals and Drink
The lodge’s restaurant, known as Greatest, is adjoining to the foyer. Right here, diners can get pleasure from conventional Spanish tapas; some traditional consolation meals like hamburgers, steaks and quinoa bowls; and all kinds of wines, beers and cocktails.
The jet lag from my seven-hour flight disrupted my starvation cues a bit. Nevertheless, at 7:30 p.m., I nonetheless opted for a light-weight snack (or merienda, because the Spanish say) and sat on the dimly lit bar. I ordered chips and guacamole ($10) and a glass of the favored Spanish drink tinto de verano ($8), which is basically crimson wine combined with lemon soda and topped with a lemon.
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Since I bought simply an appetizer and a drink, my whole was $18; for lunch and dinner on a typical day, I’d suggest budgeting between $20 and $35 per meal.
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The lodge affords breakfast, and in the event you’re an IHG member who hit IHG Diamond Elite standing, breakfast is included as a welcome amenity. Nevertheless, as a factors and miles beginner, I paid for my meal, which was $12 for the continental breakfast. If I had standing, it might’ve been good to not pay for breakfast and use that $12 on one other memento or one thing of my selecting.
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The unfold may be very conventional for breakfast, with choices similar to pastries, fruits, chilly cuts, meats and a collection of orange or pineapple juice.
You even have the choice to order a la carte in the event you’re searching for one thing heartier, like an omelet or a specialty merchandise, although this could price additional. I used to be searching for a fast chew earlier than getting outdoors to discover.
To maintain it mild, I settled on just a few totally different breakfast pastries in addition to a chew of the Spanish omelet with a facet of pineapple juice and a black espresso. General, the meals was good, however I would not go so far as to say it was something phenomenal. Nevertheless, it did get the job performed, and I used to be fueled up and able to tackle the day.
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Facilities
On my second day, I checked out the health club, which is supplied with fundamental tools like a treadmill, a set of weights and an elliptical machine. It is simply high quality in the event you’re searching for a fast exercise; in the event you’re searching for a full exercise, I would recommend signing up for a neighborhood health class close by for the reason that area is kind of small and may get crowded simply.
It wasn’t till my final day that I noticed there’s an out of doors courtyard proper behind the lodge restaurant. It occurred to be closed once I inquired about having a look. Nevertheless, the courtyard would’ve been an ideal place to take a seat, learn and sip a pleasant glass of sangria within the heat climate.
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If you wish to get work performed, the lodge has a small however decently geared up enterprise heart with a pc and a printer. Since my room didn’t include a desk, I spent most of my time catching up on work within the enterprise heart, however I would recommend going to a neighborhood espresso store in the event you’re searching for more room to unfold out.
Out and About
Because it’s within the Arguelles neighborhood of Madrid, the lodge is right for vacationers who wish to be near the motion whereas nonetheless having room to breathe.
Probably the greatest components of my journey was the neighborhood itself. Whilst you’re nonetheless very a lot in Madrid, you are not smack in the course of the town. You get an genuine, native expertise with out feeling overwhelmed, and if you wish to be within the heart of all of it, you are solely two prepare stops away.
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You will discover the Metro station for Arguelles simply two blocks from the lodge entrance, and it’ll take you nearly anyplace. Or, in the event you’re like me and revel in getting your steps in, every part in Madrid remains to be walkable from right here.
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A straightforward 15-minute stroll south, you will end up on the entrance door of the Royal Palace of Madrid and the Teatro Actual. And simply east of the lodge, you are a 10-minute stroll from Parque Del Oeste, which has beautiful tree-lined paths and views of the outskirts of the town in the event you’re searching for a bit of nature.
Granted, in the event you’d moderately keep extra within the heart of all of it, you might wish to take into account the Sol or Callao neighborhoods; they’re prime areas and provide one of the best in the case of Madrid’s hotspots similar to Gran Through, Plaza Mayor, or my private favourite, Puerta Del Sol.
Accessibility
The lodge options accessible facilities similar to wheelchair-friendly elevators, accessible restrooms within the foyer and two accessible rooms on the primary ground.
The foyer has a wheelchair-friendly ramp resulting in the lodge’s entrance and exit; the lodge restaurant additionally has its personal separate exit and entrance with wheelchair-accessible ramps.
Whereas the elevators had been smaller than we could also be used to right here within the U.S., you may match a wheelchair and one other individual if want be; nevertheless, take into account that most occupancy is three folks.
The rooms themselves had been first rate sizes and, if want be, you might match a wheelchair in a non-accessible room. Nonetheless, remember that there is not a lot area for the reason that mattress and closet take up a big portion of the room.
Testing
On my final day, testing was fast and simple. With an 11 a.m. checkout time, I may sleep in a bit and seize a fast chew earlier than accumulating my belongings and heading out to discover Madrid one ultimate time.
The lodge is small and affords fewer facilities than you’d anticipate from different lodges within the space, such because the Thompson Madrid. Lodge Indigo Madrid Princesa, whereas tiny, remains to be mighty by way of its prime location and accessibility to heart spots.
In case you are searching for a lodge extra within the heart of all of it, you might look into staying at Princesa’s sister lodge, Lodge Indigo Madrid — Gran Through. Because the identify suggests, it is proper on Gran Through, Madrid’s busy, widespread industrial road. Its charges normally fall between $130 and $160 per evening.
Nevertheless, from the spectacular location, modestly sized but snug lodging and stable meals choices, I extremely suggest this lodge for a solo traveler’s first journey to Spain. It is an ideal spot in the event you’re trying to get out and discover the town for many of your keep.
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