Duke787

Adding my two-cents.

I initially had the Courtyard booked. Went there and it was a disaster. First hotel I've ever walked out of (they put me first in a room under the stairs and by the elevator so I could hear every single footstep in the hallway and on the stairs). Then they moved me to th a suite in the un-renovated part of the hotel. Suite was really nice but then I got on the bed and I could feel every single spring in the mattress. At that point it wasn't worth trying a third room.

Moved over to the AC Atocha. Was exactly what I was looking for. Felt very similar to an aLoft which as an under-30 millennial is actually a good thing. They put me in a quiet, corner room with a rooftop balcony. Location was great, Nespresso in the room, nice bed / shower / etc. No breakfast offered but I'm not a big breakfast person when traveling for business (just give me a yogurt and I'm all set) so not a deal-breaker. Believe they did offer breakfast for $10 or $12 as a Plat (compared to whatever the normal price is) but I declined and took an extra points offer instead.

I've seen a couple reviews on TA that suggest some concern about the area near the AC Atocha because of the train station. I certainly didn't see anything - just standard precautions in watching for pickpockets (keep wallet in the front pocket).

green09000

GoldenItalianBoy

Please remember that, as the new program starts in August 2018, both Courtyard and AC Hotels globally will offer free breakfast to Platinum members as a choice at check in.

S43R

Apologies for the late reply. We stayed at the Hotel Palacio Del Retiro, Autograph Collection. Normally they wouldn't allow 4 guests in a room but took our chances as our boys were 3 and 1 year old. Great hotel, nicely located and we were lucky to keep our rental car parked for free in front of the hotel. Breakfast was free (Platinum) with a small surcharge for hot items.

Tomphot

I'm planning on booking a 4 night points stay before the price goes up for an April '19 stay at either the Santa Mauro or Palacio Retiro. I would like to try and use my suite upgrades awards for this stay. Does anyone know which of these hotels has the most suites? I'd like to increase my odds as much as possible.

sinfonia

I remember looking into this when we went last year. If I recall correctly, the Santo Mauro had just a few more suites. We ended up staying there because I was also hoping for an upgrade (we were upgraded to a junior suite). This property was really beautiful and the "Spanish experience" repast they offered, as well as the Spanish breakfast, was a nice touch. I was glad we stayed there because of how lovely the property was as well as the service, but if I went back, I would probably try Palacio Retiro because it seems to be a bit more centrally located to things. Having said that, the area around Santo Mauro is perfectly safe and good; it just felt a little further away from the things we were planning to do in a short time span there. We were there in October so the hotel was perhaps less busy than peak season, so that might have also factored into our upgrade.

The Law99

I basically have the same question as tomphot abive but was wondering if anyone has updated suggestions and I'm planning on using points and getting a 5th night free if that makes a difference. Basically I'm looking for breakfast and/or lounge upgrade to better room or suite if possible. From what I've read it seems like the AC Avinida Amercana is best for a budget stay, the santa Mauro autograph collection for upgrades and the palacio del retiro for location. Are tgere any other better options that combine all 3 if those perks? Thanks

danger

craigthemif

https://www.marriott.com/hotels/maps...-de-los-reyes/

It says pretty clearly on the transportation page that there is no airport shuttle.

I would guess that, if the shuttle isn't busy with local company runs in the middle of the day, you might be able to negotiate a ride TO the airport. I doubt that they would pick you up but you could call or email to ask.

And no... AC hotels don't provide breakfast. You are supposed to receive a $10 F+B credit.

danger

Yet on the landing page for the hotel in the app it says there is one.

miuk

Stayed at the AC Hotel on Paseo de la Delicias for 4 nights on my first time visiting Madrid.
Location is about a 5 minutes walk from the main Atocha station. A tip if you're navigating public transportation via Google maps from the MAD airport. For some reason, if you're taking the train, Gmaps will route you via the Cercanias C1 train all the way to the Delicias train station, which will then involve a 10 min uphill walk from the station to the hotel. Instead, what you should do is to stop at the Madrid-Atocha. As you exit the station turnstiles, turn left and walk all the way to the end (you'll pass by the entrances for the Renfe trains as you go along). At the end, there's an exit on the right, take that exit and you'll be out on the streets, from there it's just a 5 min flat walk to the hotel.
Overall the hotel is decent for the price with lots of shops nearby and restaurants. The Queen Sofia museum is also within 5 mins walking distance.

Hotel didnt have any upgrades for Gold status and the hotel is a little older, quirky elevators and lots of weird plumbing noises.

SkyTeam777

FlyingFrZ

Any recent thoughts on the Circulo Gran Via?

Looking for a three night stay over Christmas and was curious if this is a good spot to take in the city and nightlife?

carlitos

Checked out of the AC by Marriott Avenida de America @ Madrid. When I checked in, they greated me as a Gold (I was Gold in the old program, now I am Platinum and gained it organically) and told me there was no breakfast offered for Elites and that only thing free was the minibar. I was to tired to argue after checking in after 11pm due to late arrival from London. Next morning they denied breakfast credit and said that was not the policy for AC. Argument with Manager started that morning and included websites and new rules being shown to him from my Laptop ... really, it has been way over 4 months after new rules kicked in and this hotel has been a Marriott since many years ago.

hillc95

Was this your choice or the hotel's? What I mean is, would they allow it if you were comfortable or did they strictly enforce the guest limit? I am looking for 4 (I have a 12 and 9 yr old) and notice a Superior Room (1 King) and they allow 1 rollaway bed......room also has a small couch that I could possibly fit my (small) 9 yr old. I am just wondering if they would be ok with this if I am ok with it.