Moderator, I have thought about posting this as a continuation of some existing threads about the Hilton MAD. Due to the fact that my report touches on many factors beyond the usual items, and that it details a great deal more about logistics pertaining to this property, I hope you allow this as a separate thread. Thank you in advance.

After reading a number of posts here at FT’s Hilton forum and elsewhere on the web about this property, I decided to stay at the Hilton MAD for a total of 6 nights (3 separate bookings due to different rates and T/Cs) as my home-base to visit the city. Many posters noted that this is a great hotel for overnight to catch a flight out next morning. Most suggested against staying here as a base to visit the city. Many pointed out the hassles of getting to/from city center. Some said it costs a lot to commute to town (yes, if you take taxi); others said it takes to much time to do the same. Some concerns about having to leave center city too early in the night and miss out all the night life, wining and dining. After my stay, I realize that there were plenty of opinion (not necessarily facts) or half-truth out there in cyber-land. I will try to share my experience as a lowly HH-silver, on a challenge to get diamond. As such, my experience will not include the lounge (but did get a glimpse of it on the 4th floor) and other bennies normally associated with elite diamond and gold.

About my reservations:
I had 2 bookings initially, one for 5 consecutive nights and one for one night (for catching early next morning flight), all were on cancelable rate of €149 per night, without breakfast. Later on when the January Sales and Spring Sales came on, I jumped on them immediately. Later on my 2 reservations evolved into 3 in order to take advantage of the sales price. I had to split the 5-nighter into 2 separate reservations {2 nights at €129 and 3 nights at €90}. The former single-night booking was re-booked at lower rate of €90. All with breakfast included. What a sweet deal! This alone was a good start to begin with. It really pays to monitor the story of Hilton promos here at FT Hilton forum!

Environment surrounding this hotel:
It is located very close to Terminal 1 (and T1 is due south of T4 where my AA flight landed), in a mixed-land-use area with industrial/business office buildings (some old and most of them new). Separated by the freeway are apartment buildings and residential area with one large shopping mall. The shopping complex (to which I did not go), according to hotel staff is a 10-minute walk over the freeway (my guess is 15 minutes). The closest Metro station to the hotel is located at T1-3 and there is also a Metro station at T4 (that is also the end of the Metro line #8). The hotel is not that far from city center according to the map, my guess is about 10 km.
The adjacent empty lot has some trash all over it, giving it an impression that the area might not be safe to wander around at night. In fact, there is nothing around the hotel worthy of walking around (no shops or coffee shops) anyway.

Getting around:
To and from the airport: the hotel provides a VERY efficient shuttle service (a large 20+ passenger black MBZ van). It took me 15 minutes from airport T4 to the front door of the hotel, including waiting time at T4. I read numerous reports that complained about the tardiness of the shuttle schedule early on when the hotel was first opened. That problem seemingly has been resolved. The airport shuttle runs 24/7. Courteous service: polite and smiling driver, but few words in English. Some magazines on board, but no drinking water (as reported by some earlier).
To and from city: to my pleasant surprise, the hotel now offers a free shuttle from hotel to the Metro Ventas station (where the bull-fight ring is located, aka Plaza de Torres de Las Ventas). From Ventas, one Metro connection to most tourist sights and city center. You have to book the shuttle service, usually the night before. Although schedule is somewhat flexible, hotel does want to group all those who want to go to the city together, to minimize the number of trips. This shuttle is only a bit smaller than the airport MBZ van. This too is a black MBZ. This is NOT a 24/7 service. I took it daily to the city, but had not taken it back to the hotel. Coming back from the city at night (most nights I return around mid-night to the T4 station), I waited for the shuttle from 4 to 8 minutes at T4 (average about 6). As you know, this city never sleeps. Quitting at mid-night is too early for the locals, but just fine with me.
By the way, you can also request for the shuttle van to take you to the shopping complex.
To facilitate getting around the city (slightly OT), I bought the Metrobus (aka Bonobus) tickets (10 rides for €7.40). To use the Metro at airport terminals, a €1 supplement fare is required, which can be purchased from any vending machine. From my short experience, it took about 35 to 40 minutes from hotel to Plaza Mayor (Metro Sol, just an example); for the return trip to T4, I would add 10 minutes to it due to longer metro ride plus waiting for the airport shuttle. In my view, the commute time is not objectionable, nor is the cost of transportation exorbitant, as some had opined or experienced.

The hotel:
I had some reservation (no punt intended) about staying here primarily due to the many posters here and elsewhere mentioned how inconvenience it was to get around. After some personal research, I went ahead and decide to use it as my base. Now, I am happy that I made the right decision. The extra savings (which was not material at the time of my initial decision to book) due to the Jan & Spring sales make it so much more attractive.
As a Silver, my check-in reception was speedy and professional and uneventful (just the way I like it). Since I was too early at 10:45am, my room was not ready for another 45 minutes. I wandered about the hotel: check out the pool (which was rather cool) and the somewhat smallish work-out “gym”. It has the essential equipment. One staff was on duty at time of my visit. Proceeded to the executive lounge which I had no privilege to use (but a quick tour was ok). Since I have not used it as such, I can’t offer any comments about food, beverages and service. You have read enough about it already.
As many had reported, the hotel is new and “contemporary” in style with dominant black & white color theme; straight line and sharp corners.
My room was ready in less than 45 minutes. Moved into a corner room on the 2nd floor. Large and well appointed with HH standard bedding. The bathroom takes some getting used to as it is glass all over – door, wall and sink. Deep tub and glass enclosed shower with very good shower head. I liked the room for its functionality and appointment. Air con works well. I had it on at all times. The glass elevators (3 in total) were seldom crowded during the hours when I used them. They look over the restaurant where I had breakfast daily.
The upper floors were reserved for elites with higher status. The suites are apparently on the top floor (only from indication in elevator).Would not know the detail since I was not in any of the rooms on 4th, 5th and 6th.
All my days here had breakfast included. The buffet spread was very extensive: fresh fruits, juices, coffee, cereals, cheeses, cold meats, smoked salmon, bread and pastry, and hot food of several types to choose from. I am sure I miss to mention something else. More than I need. Beyond that, you can also order from the kitchen, such as eggs and waffle. The service was efficient and professional. English is spoken here (contrast to the center city business establishments).
2 to 3 concierges who work next to the front reception desk all speak English well and were extremely helpful in arranging shuttle to locating something on maps.

I had a few photos of the hotel. I may post them later since I had not a chance to upload them to flickr.

At the end of my first 5-consecutive nights of stay, my impression of the hotel and its staff was favorable, better than most Hilton brand hotels that I stayed in. For an airport hotel, I rank it among the best that I had stayed in inclusive of all brands. (I think the Hong Kong Marriott SkyCity is shoulder to shoulder with this).

Four days later, I returned for the 1-nighter before flying out next morning. The manager greeted me to welcome my return.

No problem getting to the airport at 6am. The shuttle was waiting. By the way, all wake up calls are from a real person! They repeat the call until you pick up the phone.

Next time I am in Madrid, this is my hotel.

Tell me if I am crazy to use this hotel as base to visit center city Madrid.