Only YOU Boutique Hotel

If you are looking for one of the coolest neighbourhoods in Madrid to stay in there really is only one place to head directly to and that’s the neighbourhood of Cheuca. Moments away from the Gran Via, with its boulevard of department stores and never-ending shopping options, Cheuca is completely the opposite, packed full of cafes, restaurants, late-night clubs and chic boutiques with a relaxed and chilled vibe to it.

It is also where you will find one of the city’s most beautiful boutique hotels – the Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid. The hotel was once a former palace and has now been re-imagined into contemporary eclectic coolness; expect a surprise around every corner in this hotel with each public room modelled differently to the next. As part of a weekend break to Madrid TLE were invited along to experience the hotel, read on to find out more.

Location

Located on Calle del Barquillo, one of the main thoroughfares through Cheuca you really are in the heart of the capital. It’s the perfect location for a city break, you have the choice of the city’s bars and restaurants on your doorstep, walk a little further to the jumping tapas bars near Sol or take a 15 minute walk and you are at the city’s famous Retiro park with the Prado museum next to it.  If you are a shopper like me, you have an enviable array of independent boutiques through to the major department stores and the big brand names all on your doorstep too.

Check In

Attention to detail is flawless, from the welcome by the doorman as you arrive, through to the incredibly helpful reception staff – Having traveled from Lisbon first thing in the morning I had arrived at the hotel at 10am,  thankfully due to their ’24 hour stay’ policy you can check in earlier than most hotels, which was a godsend as I was in my room for 10.15am. It’s also worth noting that you can check out late too, with no hassle – no having to beg reception staff a simple call downstairs and we had a 1pm checkout.

Wifi is free throughout the hotel, just connect and of course you will fail to not be impressed with the reception space, which was an interior four story courtyard now the hotel lobby.

Read about my weekend in Madrid

The Room

There are a myriad of different room types in the 125 room and suite hotel. Start with Deluxe, then Premium and move up to suites or go all out with a Only YOU secret or Only You Moments suite, which include lofts with a sloping ceiling or lounge with fireplaces.

For my stay I had a front facing deluxe with with Juliette balcony and window shutters. The bed was framed with a blue studded with a navy blue wall. The walls hung with old maps of Madrid and floor finished in a deep geometric carpet. Across from the bed there is a desk and above it a large flatscreen TV with numerous channels being broadcast. The is a double wardrobe offering plenty of space for your clothes.

Bathroom

No bath, but a large walk in rain shower, metro tiles and marble topped sink space give a crisp clean finish to the space.

I loved the smell of the bathroom amenities they ended up coming back with me and my balcony kept the room bright and airy and just adds that little bit

One thing I did miss in the bedroom was tea/coffee making facilities, my Britishness does kick in from time to time and access to making a hot drink overcomes me.

Public Areas

The public spaces have a labyrinth-like feel to them when you first arrive, with each space having that wow factor when you enter. The Azul lounge at the front complete with fire and deep Chesterfield leather sofa’s has a classic Spanish look, move through to El Padrino bar which was once a bookshop has nods to its former life with books dotted around and is the perfect place for a wine and light bite.

The lounge bar at the back was alive with chatter and drinking well into the night and by day offered a place to read and enjoy a drink or coffee.

The hotel’s restaurant offers day and night dining from 1.30 pm and Sala de Platos (where we had breakfast) makes use of its high walls with cupboards of blue Delftware rising up to the atrium above.

I loved the two sets of lifts one set complete with bookshelves in them and the other painted to blend in with the blue and white tiles. I also loved the wall of suitcases next to the lobby.

Breakfast

Now there are two things I adore when being away, a hot breakfast to start the day off and a lie-in. I think most people will agree with me here. However, all too often hotels have prompt breakfasting times, meaning when I want to get up the breakfast is done. The hotel must have a lot of lazy people like me because their breakfast continues 24 hours a day which is an ingenious idea and means you can slip down at whatever time you want and start the day off properly.

Choose from one of three A La Carte options, express, healthy and Spanish. Food is brought to the table, I chose the Spanish which is a style plater of breaks and pastries, cheese and hams, Tomate Rallado and then you order your eggs the way you want them. I was dubious that is wouldn’t fill me up, but I ended up not being able to finish it…

Read about Andrews recent stay at the Only YOU Antocha