wemovedtoireland
Friends Getaway · September 20256/10
THE GOOD
I always like to start with what makes a hotel great. The staff here was very good—the pool staff in particular was a highlight. The location also can’t be beat; it’s just a few steps from So...THE GOOD
I always like to start with what makes a hotel great. The staff here was very good—the pool staff in particular was a highlight. The location also can’t be beat; it’s just a few steps from Sol.
We were traveling with friends who are big Marriott status travelers, so we followed their lead on this hotel. I typically book through my Amex Platinum, and honestly, I should have on this trip—I spaced. Because I don’t have much status with Marriott Bonvoy, our stay was pretty run-of-the-mill.
When we checked in (very late, due to delayed flights), I asked for a quiet room with a tub. We were offered an “upgraded” room that usually goes for €700 more per night, but were told we could have it for €500 more—which was basically what we had already paid. We declined. Instead, we were put in a room on Floor 1, directly above the lobby, which turns into a DJ set late into the evening. The bass carried up through the floor until around midnight. For Spain, that may be early, but for us it was very late.
Which brings me to this: if you were born before 1980, think twice about booking this hotel. The vibe is very young and “influencer-ish.” The pool area was filled with thirty-somethings drinking all day—and that’s fine if that’s your thing, but it’s not really ours. (Oh, and the pool? Freezing. Unusably cold, even when the outside temp was in the 80s.)
THE BAD
Things really went off the rails on our last night, when we got maybe 45 minutes of sleep—no exaggeration.
The guests in the room next to ours came back stinking drunk around 1:45 a.m., while we were still trying to fall asleep after the DJ session. Our room had a sliding glass door to a terrace, as did theirs. When they decided to come home and PARTY all night, we became collateral damage.
We had to call security. They came, but just lingered in the hallway for about 15 minutes. When things escalated, I got dressed to head down to the lobby, but found the manager at their door. By this point it was 3:30 a.m., and we had an early flight. Eventually, the party moved from their room to another connecting room, where it continued for another couple of hours. In short, it was torturous.
When we got up after our 45 minutes of sleep, we went to check out. I told the front desk about our night. The staff seemed aware of what had happened. At first they offered to refund a portion of the stay, but ultimately comped the whole night. That was the right thing to do, but the experience still needs to be noted in this review.
When I mentioned hearing the DJ through the floor, I was told I was “the first person ever to mention this.” Highly doubtful. Do managers ever sleep in their own hotel rooms? They should. (For reference: we were in Room 132.)
MAINTENANCE ISSUES
One of the first things that stood out was the plumbing fixtures throughout the entire hotel. Every single bathroom we saw had peeling hardware. This place was clearly built when “millennial pink” was in vogue, and the rose gold finishes have not aged well. It looks cheap, and I doubt most of the hotel’s guests would tolerate this in their own homes—yet here it is, even in suites and public spaces.
The Ipe decking on the walkway to the pool needs reinstallation—it’s janky and noisy. The pool garden area had cigarette butts scattered around—not a five-star look. And the furry throws in the guest rooms? They feel unsanitary and should go.
VALUE ISSUES
Breakfast for two is over $100 USD. Terrible value. If I’d booked through Amex Platinum, this would’ve been included. Over a four-night stay, that really added up. The breakfast itself was fine, but nowhere near worth $100+.
If you’re sensitive to scents: avoid. The Edition brand uses a Le Labo fragrance throughout the hotel, and in Madrid, as in Reykjavik, it’s overwhelming—especially in the lobby.
THE FINAL STRAW
And yes, I was already writing this review in my head throughout the stay, but what pushed me over the edge was the $25 minibar charge that showed up in my email after we checked out. When I asked about it, I was told it was for a charger. We never even touch minibars—we’re not minibar people. Of course the charge was reversed, but this just reinforced the nickel-and-dime feeling of the place.
So thank you, Edition Madrid, for reminding me to do more homework when booking hotels. Needless to say, I won’t be staying at another Edition.Show More
