Travel
We are very excited as we emerge from the underground train station Sol, right in the middle of the action. There are people all over the plaza, dressed in beloved cartoon characters, trying to sell colorful balloons. Blinded by the strong midday light, I almost bump into Hello Kitty.
On the last day we leave early in the morning, so we ask them to prepare a picnic breakfast for us, which they gladly do so. As we say our goodbyes, we are handed a bag containing delicious ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit juice and a few pieces of fruit that we later enjoy on the train ride to Burgos.
We were guests of Hotel Meninas, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
- Hotel Gutenberg, Strasbourg. Central And Elegant
It was in Strasbourg in the middle of the 15th century that Gutenberg perfected and unveiled the printing press. Today, the city celebrates him with a bronze statue in a square named after him and a pretty hotel bearing his name. Location Hotel...
- Hotel D, Basel. The Best Of Both Worlds
Basel, the city on the Rhine, is a curiosity in itself. Located right on the border where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, it has a tri-national metropolitan area, and is one of the most important cultural center in Switzerland. The city hosts many...
- Walking The Streets Of The Spanish Capital In Search For The Best Photos
We started the second day of our Interrail trip with a photo tour of Madrid. We met Mario and his team of professional photographers in the lobby of Hotel Meninas. They are a small team of three people, two professional photographers and one English-Spanish...
- Hotel Folketeateret, Oslo. Funky, Refreshing & Delicious
During our Interrail trip through Europe last summer, on our way from Stavanger to Orebro we made one more overnight stop in Oslo. This time we didn't visit any attractions in the city, partly because it was pouring down cats and dogs, partly because...
- Myhregaarden Hotel, Stavanger. A Very Romantic Boutique Hotel
By the time our train arrived in Stavanger it was almost 11PM and we were tired. Nevertheless, some reminiscences of the midnight sun could be seen on the sky even at the end of July, wrapping the city in a charming atmosphere.We took out the...
Travel
Hotel Meninas, Madrid. Masterpiece Inspired
We arrive in Madrid on a torrid end of July day. It’s our third time visiting the Spanish capital, and though we love all the extravagant palaces, majestic plazas and stately parks the city has to offer, this time we are bound to do it justice and experience its cuisine and nightlife above all.
We are very excited as we emerge from the underground train station Sol, right in the middle of the action. There are people all over the plaza, dressed in beloved cartoon characters, trying to sell colorful balloons. Blinded by the strong midday light, I almost bump into Hello Kitty.
But we soon find our way towards our hotel. It’s only a few minutes walk from Puerta del Sol to the Royal Opera House in straight line. And we are confirmed once again just how hectic Madrid is. It’s a lazy kind of hectic nevertheless, if this makes any sense, dictated by the heat and the hour of the day. The siesta time is near and we can feel it.
Once in front of the Opera, we turn right, up one of the small streets, and before we know it, we are in front of Hotel Meninas. I love the name of this hotel, just as much as I loved the beautiful 17th century painting by Diego Velazquez when I visited Museo del Prado a few years back. We won’t be visiting the famous museum this time, but we find it so cool staying at a hotel which name was inspired by the beloved masterpiece.
As we enter the hotel, we are greeted with a smile, and a refreshing atmosphere. The frenetic life of the city is behind us now. To be honest, it was behind us the moment we entered the little street. As the girl behind the desk positions us on the map, a world of opportunities opens in front of us. We are right in the heart of Madrid. The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, Sobrino de Botin – the oldest running restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book where we have a dinner reservation for the next day, all the shopping streets and tapas bars that make Madrid’s nightlife famous are just a stone’s throw away. El Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums as well as Retiro Park with its stunning Crystal Palace are also in walking distance, is somewhat further away. We have to admit it, Hotel Meninas is incredibly well situated.
As we enter the hotel, we are greeted with a smile, and a refreshing atmosphere. The frenetic life of the city is behind us now. To be honest, it was behind us the moment we entered the little street. As the girl behind the desk positions us on the map, a world of opportunities opens in front of us. We are right in the heart of Madrid. The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor, San Miguel Market, Sobrino de Botin – the oldest running restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book where we have a dinner reservation for the next day, all the shopping streets and tapas bars that make Madrid’s nightlife famous are just a stone’s throw away. El Prado, Thyssen Bornemisza and Reina Sofia Museums as well as Retiro Park with its stunning Crystal Palace are also in walking distance, is somewhat further away. We have to admit it, Hotel Meninas is incredibly well situated.
We get a room at one of the top floors of the elegant 19th century building the hotel is hosted in. Spacious and bathed in natural light, it is chic and classy at the same time. I love the choice of colors, very feminine and discrete, with splashes of pink defining the otherwise classical design. The room also proves to be an oasis of piece and quiet, guaranteeing a good night sleep quality. From the small balcony, buildings from the same time period can be admired. It’s Madrid at its best. Plus, guests can enjoy free access to the Gym and paid access to the Sauna facilities located in their sister hotel, Hotel Opera, only 50 meters away.
The hotel has no relation whatsoever with Velazquez’s painting. But nevertheless, it reminds me of the grace and the mystery that surrounds the painting. The lobby receives natural light indirectly, just like Velazquez’s masterpiece. It is also divided in a few ambiances with a different character, reminiscent of the entourage of Infanta Margaret Theresa. At one end there are shelves covered in books... really tempting if only there wouldn't be a city full of wonders waiting for us outside. There’s complimentary Wi-fi in the lobby and cable Internet in the rooms, but again Madrid awaits us.
The buffet breakfast is served in an old dinning room first floor underground, what could have been an old cellar. There’s plenty of space thought, and plenty of options. It really pleases us to find the trays quite full when we come down around 9AM, and as guests replenish their plates, the personnel takes great care for the food to never run out. There are pastries and cold cuts, some Spanish cheese varieties, scrambled eggs and sausages, fruits, cereals... and churros! Since we are in Madrid, the churros could really have not missed from the menu.
The buffet breakfast is served in an old dinning room first floor underground, what could have been an old cellar. There’s plenty of space thought, and plenty of options. It really pleases us to find the trays quite full when we come down around 9AM, and as guests replenish their plates, the personnel takes great care for the food to never run out. There are pastries and cold cuts, some Spanish cheese varieties, scrambled eggs and sausages, fruits, cereals... and churros! Since we are in Madrid, the churros could really have not missed from the menu.
Hotel Meninas proved to be a very comfortable option. Due to its location and young, yet elegant atmosphere, it made our stay in the Spanish capital a memorable one.
For more info, you can check out the hotel's website and Facebook page.
We were guests of Hotel Meninas, however, all opinions expressed here are entirely our own and based on our personal experience.
- Hotel Gutenberg, Strasbourg. Central And Elegant
It was in Strasbourg in the middle of the 15th century that Gutenberg perfected and unveiled the printing press. Today, the city celebrates him with a bronze statue in a square named after him and a pretty hotel bearing his name. Location Hotel...
- Hotel D, Basel. The Best Of Both Worlds
Basel, the city on the Rhine, is a curiosity in itself. Located right on the border where Switzerland, France and Germany meet, it has a tri-national metropolitan area, and is one of the most important cultural center in Switzerland. The city hosts many...
- Walking The Streets Of The Spanish Capital In Search For The Best Photos
We started the second day of our Interrail trip with a photo tour of Madrid. We met Mario and his team of professional photographers in the lobby of Hotel Meninas. They are a small team of three people, two professional photographers and one English-Spanish...
- Hotel Folketeateret, Oslo. Funky, Refreshing & Delicious
During our Interrail trip through Europe last summer, on our way from Stavanger to Orebro we made one more overnight stop in Oslo. This time we didn't visit any attractions in the city, partly because it was pouring down cats and dogs, partly because...
- Myhregaarden Hotel, Stavanger. A Very Romantic Boutique Hotel
By the time our train arrived in Stavanger it was almost 11PM and we were tired. Nevertheless, some reminiscences of the midnight sun could be seen on the sky even at the end of July, wrapping the city in a charming atmosphere.We took out the...