Best Western Arosa Hotel, Madrid

Our initial reaction to the Arosa was disappointing. When we arrived at 5:30 p,m. last Monday, the woman at the reception desk appeared to be tired and impatient--reserved and not warm. After checking us in, almost as if it were a chore, she sent us up to our room on the 4th floor where we found construction in process and strong fumes from materials being used. Our room down the hall was small with two single beds--not the double/queen we had requested. The air in the room was stale and it was stuffy and scented with construction odors. We called the front desk and asked if there were other rooms available. The response was guarded but we were told to wait there. About 15 minutes later they sent a bellman up to show us two other available rooms on another floor. We were very appreciative of the choice, but curious as to why we even had been sent to the floor with construction going on in the first place. In the end we found our choice of room to be very satisfactory with a lovely big window (secured with a heavy glass door to drown out street noise) hovering high over a busy city street with a great view of downtown. Over the remainder of our two day stay we generally found other desk receptionists to be pleasant and helpful but our initial reaction upon our arrival had left us guarded. The bellmen were all excellent and most pleasant and actually were more pleasant and helpful than any of the people behind the reception desk!!! Over all a good hotel, but could be a lot better if they paid a little more attention to the QUALITY of breakfast beverages and breads, and staffed their reception desk with those who are more naturally warm and cordial. This hotel has a priceless recommendation by Karen Brown. I would say Best Western shouldn't take that for granted or underestimate the expectations of her readers.

This hotel is in the heart of Madrid. A five star location!