Best Western Hotel Carlos V in Madrid

The Best Western Hotel Carlos V (Maestro Victoria 5, 28013 Madrid, SPAIN; phone [34] 91 531 4100 or visit www.hotelcarlosv.com) is located on a pedestrian street just a minute or two on foot from Puerta del Sol. It is convenient to popular tourist sites, restaurants, shopping and two metro stations.

This 3-star hotel offered a modern elevator and a friendly staff. As we had requested when booking, we were provided with a very quiet room (but located on the back of the hotel with no view). Our double room with A/C and a very comfortable queen-sized bed was reasonably sized and very clean. The advertised in-room safe was not free, however.

The bathroom featured several small storage shelves, a bidet, a large tub/shower combination and lots of especially hot water. A hair dryer and a selection of free toiletries were provided.

The expensive buffet breakfast (€9, about $12, per person) included selections of fresh pastries, breads, cereal, sliced meats and cheeses. Coffee, tea, milk and fresh juice were also provided. Eggs, yogurt and several other items were only available at extra cost. One day we ate less than usual; unexpectedly, we were charged only for the items we had eaten. That saved us a few euros.

The breakfast room doubles as a bar with reasonable prices but with a fairly limited selection when it comes to beer and wine. In the back of this room there’s a computer with free broadband Internet access for guest use.

During our 6-night stay in February ’06, we paid only €72 ($96) per night plus 7% tax. Their typical rate for a double room is €90 ($120) before tax. The nonrefundable €72 rate was available only from the Best Western website, www.bestwestern.com, and required that the full amount for the stay be paid in advance.

STEPHEN O. ADDISON, Jr.

Charlotte, NC