Looking for a place to stay in Madrid?
Check my review of Smartrental Collection Gran Via Centric, one of the most affordable places to stay on Gran Via!
The Location
Smartrental Collection Gran Via Centric is located at 42 Gran Via, right opposite the Callao metro station.
Despite being on one of the busiest streets, the apartment was actually really quiet and you could barely hear the traffic outside.
When I found this accommodation I was looking for places especially on Gran Via as I thought it would be a good base for exploring, but on second thought I would have probably picked a different location for my stay.
Gran Via is extremely busy, especially at weekends, so you struggle to navigate the roads and it feels like an obstacle course just walking down the street. It’s just my personal preference, I don’t like crowds and busy locations, so I should have probably picked a different location.
The other practical disadvantage of staying in this location is the fact that the road is very busy and it takes a while for your taxi to get to the apartment. I made the mistake of getting an uber when we were returning back to the apartment after the first day – it took us ages to get there because it was Saturday evening, the road was absolutely clogged up and we were sitting in the car for good 40 minutes. If you use a local taxi, you don’t have to suffer through such a delay as they use the bus lanes to drive through Gran Via, so its much faster and more convenient.
Having said all of that, if you’re set on staying in Gran Via, this apartment hotel gives you the perfect location at amazing value for money.
From the apartment, it’s only a short walk to get to the Plaza Mayor, and even walked directly to the Royal Palace from there.
Location on map:
Reception Area and Checkin
The reception area is located in a very narrow corridor in a hallway to the apartment building, with very limited space if there are more people waiting.
The check-in was fairly fast, but it all felt quite chaotic as you’re standing in the middle of the corridor when guests are getting in and out of the building, and there was a lot of luggage stored around the lift entrances.
There are two lifts that take you to the rooms, but during the 3 days we were there, I found them extremely slow.
The Living Room & Dining Room
The apartment opens up to a spacious living room area, with a small but practical kitchen to your left and the bedroom access with a bathroom to your right.
What I loved most about the apartment were the high ceilings which make the rooms feel very spacious and the huge window which were letting in a lot of natural light.
As I mentioned before, you could barely hear any noise from the street as they installed quality insulated windows.
The sofa was expandable and the bed was already prepared in advance, so all we had to do is to pull it out so my son could sleep there.
Next to the sofa was a small dining area, with complimentary sparkling wine and water waiting at the table.
The furnishing felt really good quality and almost brand new, and the flat was spotlessly clean.
See Also: Most Popular Activities, Tickets & Trips in Madrid
- Madrid: Royal Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Tour
- Madrid: Bernabéu Stadium Tour
- Madrid: Prado Museum Entry Ticket
- From Madrid: Day Tour to Toledo
- Madrid: 1 or 2 Day Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus Tour
- Madrid: Live Flamenco Show with Food and Drinks Options
- Madrid: Avila and Segovia Day Trip with Tickets to Monuments
- Madrid: Royal Palace Fast-Access Admission Ticket
The Kitchen
The corner kitchen was very small, but amazingly they fitted everything you need in such a tiny space, including a washing machine and two big bins.
The top part of the kitchen rolls up to reveal the shelves, with fully stocked utensils, cutlery and all the essentials you need for cooking and dining. On the other side of the kitchen, there was a microwave with a sink, empty storage space and a very spacious fridge and freezer.
The apartment had a small Nespresso machine with some coffee, which was very much appreciated in the mornings.
The only issue we had with the flat was the fact that the electric stove was broken, it had a massive crack on the glass so we didn’t end up using it, but apart from that, the flat was in amazing condition and great value for money (considering space is a precious commodity in Madrid).
The Bedroom
The bedroom had vibrant mustard and dark blue colour scheme and was beautifully designed. It was dominated by a huge balcony door that opens up to the views of Gran Via and a comfortable double bed.
There was a small bench for storage and a very spacious wardrobe with mirrors on each side of the bed just above the night table. There was also a small tv opposite the bed.
The room felt warm and welcoming, spacious and very comfortable, couldn’t be happier with it.
The View
The view was another highlight of this apartment. From the 6th floor where we were staying, you get an amazing view of Madrid and the Gran Via just below the windows.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was styled in neutral colours and surprisingly spacious. It had a large and very bright mirror, a walk-in shower and even basic toiletries were provided.
The Roof Terrace
The apartment hotel has also its own roof terrace, where I quickly popped only to check it out as it was busy. Below is a photo of the view from there.
The seating is very limited, and the space is very tight even to pass through, so if you want to get a spot you need to get here early.
Final Notes
I was really happy with my stay at Smartrental Collection, the apartment is great value for money in terms of size and location, and a much more affordable option compared to some of the hotels located on the same street. It was furnished to a high standard with a fully stocked up kitchen, and with convenient access to metro station.
