We loved 7 Islas Hotel in Madrid, Spain!
We stayed at 7 Islas Hotel Madrid in December for two nights as part of a long weekend celebrating Billy’s birthday. This 7 Islas Hotel Madrid review reflects a stay where we wanted a genuinely central base, could walk everywhere, avoid taxis, and keep the pace relaxed. The Chueca location, modern design, and reputation for spacious rooms made it an easy choice. We stayed here just before flying to London for Christmas, so comfort and efficiency mattered more than extra facilities.
At A Glance
7 Islas Hotel Madrid is a modern, design-led hotel in the heart of Chueca. Rooms offer real space, the bar delivers consistently good cocktails, and the hotel stays controlled despite busy streets outside. It suits short city breaks, winter stays, and trips where location and walkability matter. It’s perfect for couples exploring central Madrid, Spain.
About 7 Islas Hotel Madrid
7 Islas Hotel sits just off Gran Via in Chueca, one of Madrid’s most active neighbourhoods. Bars, cafés, restaurants, and shops fill the surrounding streets from morning through late night. Staying here removes the need to plan transport for a short trip. Being able to move around on foot changed the pace of the weekend. Sol, Malasaña, Lavapiés, and Retiro were all comfortably reachable from the hotel.
From the outside, the building blends into the traditional Madrid streetscape. There is no grand entrance or showy façade. That understatement works well in this part of the city. Inside, the tone shifts immediately. The interior leans into contemporary design, clean lines, and bold artwork. The contrast between the historic exterior and modern interior feels deliberate rather than decorative. That separation matters. Despite the constant movement outside, the hotel creates a sense of distance from the street without feeling disconnected from it. For a central Madrid hotel, that balance is one of its strongest points.
Hotel Highlights
Arrival felt straightforward and efficient. Our check-in moved quickly, and the staff handled everything with confidence and warmth. English was spoken comfortably, and information was delivered clearly without dragging the process out.
Inside, shared areas felt organised and calm. December brought Christmas lights, crowds, and heavy foot traffic outside, yet the hotel never felt hectic. Noise levels stayed low, and the layout absorbed sound well. Movement through the building felt purposeful rather than busy.
Higher floors opened up views across Madrid’s skyline. While the hotel is not built around views, being above street level reinforced the feeling of space and separation from the surrounding energy. It managed to feel central without becoming overwhelming.
Rooms & Comfort
We stayed in a penthouse with terrace. The room felt genuinely large, not just generous by city standards. There was enough space to move comfortably, open luggage fully, and still feel relaxed. The bed dominated the room in a good way and delivered a solid, uninterrupted night’s sleep.
Despite the lively area, external noise never became an issue. Insulation worked well, and the room stayed quiet throughout the night. Heating worked properly, which mattered during a December stay, and temperature control felt reliable.
Storage felt practical and well planned. The layout made sense for a short stay and did not require working around awkward furniture placement. Bathrobes and slippers were provided, along with a yoga kit. These details felt usable rather than decorative and suited the hotel’s functional, modern approach.
The bathroom focused on practicality. There was enough space to get ready comfortably, sensible lighting, and a layout that worked well for two people sharing. Everything functioned as expected, which mattered more than design statements on a short city break.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: If space matters to you in central Madrid, book a terrace room. It makes the stay feel more open, even in winter. Be prepared to pay a little bit extra for this.
Facilities & Services
We visited the bar a few times and did not use other facilities. The bar stood out as one of the strongest elements of the stay. Cocktails were well made and consistent, and the atmosphere built naturally as the evening progressed without tipping into noise or crowding. The bar staff are also very friendly and welcoming. It worked well as a place to start the evening before heading out and just as well for a final drink later on. The crowd felt mixed rather than dominated by hotel guests, which gave the bar a more natural feel.
Beyond the bar, the sitting area near reception and the wider lobby space stood out as genuinely usable. The layout encourages you to pause rather than pass through. Seating felt comfortable, well spaced, and calm, even with people coming and going. During our stay, it worked well as a place to sit briefly before heading out in the evening. The design balances warmth and restraint, making the space feel inviting without tipping into noise or clutter. It added to the sense that the hotel is designed for real use, not just first impressions.
Service stayed consistent throughout the stay. Check-in and check-out both ran smoothly. Check-out took only a few minutes, with no delays or unnecessary questions. Staff kept interactions efficient while staying friendly and relaxed.
💡 Travel Gentlemen Tip: Visit the bar later in the evening once the atmosphere settles but before nearby venues peak.
Prices & Value
For a central Madrid location, a penthouse room, and the amount of space offered, the pricing felt appropriate for the experience. You are paying for location, room size, and design consistency rather than extensive facilities, and that balance worked well for this trip.
The Experience – What Really Stood Out For Us
The stay worked because everything felt balanced. The hotel delivered space, comfort, and control without pulling us away from Chueca’s energy. Christmas in Madrid added atmosphere without overwhelming the experience. Having stayed elsewhere in the city, including Hotel Sardinero Madrid, this felt better suited to a short, walkable stay rather than a quieter, residential base.
It suited a birthday weekend without feeling performative and worked just as well as a practical stop before onward travel. That flexibility made the stay feel dependable rather than showy.
What Could Be Improved
There was little to fault during our stay. WiFi speeds were slightly inconsistent at times, though it did not affect us as we were not working during this trip. If you plan to rely heavily on WiFi for remote work or video calls, it is worth keeping this in mind. Beyond that, nothing stood out as needing improvement.
Website/Instagram URL
www.7islashotel.com/ 7islashotel
Opening Times
Reception is open 24 hours; Check-in is from 3:00 pm and Check-out is by 12:00 pm.
How To Get There
We arrived using public transport. From Chamartin train station, the metro provides a straightforward route into central Madrid, followed by a short walk to the hotel. The journey felt simple even with luggage.
Taxis also work well for this route and keep travel time predictable, including during busy December periods. Once there, everything important sits within walking distance.
Address: C. de Valverde, 14, Centro, 28004 Madrid
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 Islas Hotel Madrid in a good area?
Yes. Chueca offers bars, restaurants, shops, and fast access to Gran Via.
Is the hotel noisy at night?
No. Rooms handled external noise well, even during busy periods.
Does 7 Islas Hotel Madrid have a good bar?
Yes. The bar stood out for cocktail quality and atmosphere.
Is it suitable for a winter stay in Madrid?
Yes. Heating, room space, and location worked well in December.
In Summary
7 Islas Hotel Madrid delivers a strong central base in Chueca with real space, controlled interiors, and consistently professional service. This 7 Islas Hotel Madrid review reflects a stay that worked well for a short city break, balancing location, comfort, and design without unnecessary extras. We would stay again and would recommend it to travellers who value walkability and well-designed rooms over extensive facilities.
