Review Mercure Madrid Plaza de Espana - great renovation

I had stayed there in 2015, and made a short review at that time here:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/accor-all-accor-live-limitless/1641649-please-post-your-le-club-elite-experiences-2015-master-thread-22.html?1641649=#post25352318

Back then, I was not impressed at all because this hotel was in urgent need of renovation and it was reported here that the hotel was renovated. Due to its great location in Madrid and the good reports we had in this thread, I decided to give it another chance and it was the right decision, because I was very impressed with the renovation done. This is now a very solid Accor address in Madrid at a very good quality-price ratio. 

They even changed the outside walls of the building. I retrieved a picture taken in 2015:

And now:

As you can see, in 2015, many rooms had small balconies. They do not exist anymore. So it’s really a deep transformation and renovation 

The ground floor was before dark, outdated, without life is now modern and colorful and has a bar and a restaurant for snacks/tapas and they even attract a significant number of outside customers. It’s clearly impossible to recognize the old place.

I was nicely welcomed and formalities were expedited. I had booked a Privilege room with terrace. The only upper category is a suite. I was not proposed an upgrade (and I didn’t check before arriving if it was still available, but I was prepared to eventually decline the suite as I think they have no terrace and I was very interested by it because of nice weather forecasted in Madrid. I had to ask the drink voucher. So, this would be the only weak point I could mention : it seems that ALL status and benefits is not their top priority. But I cannot complain at all about the staff. They were all super nice and obviously happy to work there.

Room was on the last floor, had a lot of natural sunlight and the terrace was really great. The bathroom was rather small. Room amenities included bathrobe, slippers, Nespresso machine, kettle, minibar with free soft drinks (they ask you which drinks you want it it was bring within 5 min), safety box. Lot of plugs/USP ports on bed sides and on the “desk”. Very good soundproofing. 

I really enjoyed the terrace.

Drink voucher can be redeemed at the bar. As usual, valid for everything except champagne. Compared to what’s been reported by IMH in 2018, I had no problem to have a glass of wine.

Breakfast is not self-service because of Covid. They have the various items on display and you ask what you want. I don’t know if there are warm options available.

I got late checkout at 4 pm without problem. 

Overall, very good stay. I recommend the rooms with terrace on the top floor. Very good Mercure downtown Madrid. It’s definitely not anymore the dump place it was before.