Review Florida Hotel Madrid Norte
 |
When you enter the Florida Hotel Madrid you may feel like an ant! It is vast and has high ceilings, an enormous lobby and a massive lounge area to the right, steps in front of you, and reception is to the left. The décor is sombre and serious with a touch of elegance in the form of a chandelier.
The lobby is a no-smoking area, and I found the ambiance to be quite business-like and serious. There are enormous tapestries hanging on the walls in the green lounge, and several business magazines scattered about. The hotel has excellent transport connections as the Principe Pio station, which not only has a metro, but also regional rail network connection, is approximately 300 metres away.
 |
| The Vast Lounge In The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte |
Hotel Facilities
The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte offers a hairdressers, laundry, baby-sitting service, restaurant, bar, shops (souvenir) car rental and garage. The restaurant is extensive and offers a good choice of dishes.
You can also buy tickets to theatre shows and for excursions to Toledo, El Escorial, Avila, Segovia and other featured destinations.
Business Facilities
The facilities for business traveller include a meeting hall called Rosales Hall. It can accommodate 25 to 30 people, depending on seating arrangements. It is in-keeping with the business-like feel of the hotel in burgundy and cream.
Rooms
There are 400 rooms each with an en-suite bathroom. Views are either to the river at the back of the hotel or across to the commercial centre in front. The rooms have a sensible, 'no-fuss' feel about them are well equipped with AC, CH, satellite TV, piped music, direct dial phone and safe. Some of the twin rooms have an adjoining lounge with coffee table and sofa. The colour theme is a deep green and amber / yellow décor. The rooms have a very neat feel.
Hotel Location And Facilities
The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte is just 3 minutes walk from the Principe Pio station, which is quite ornate inside and became the model upon which many subsequent stations have been based. Next to the station is a commercial centre, and outside there's a terrace where you can eat and relax with a drink under the big umbrellas.
 |
| The Commercial Centre Near The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte Where You Can Eat 'Al Fresco' |
From the hotel you can see the Royal Palace behind the trees of the Sabatini Gardens. These gardens are 10 minutes walk, and provide peace and shade. They are also the gateway to one of Madrid's most delightful and picturesque districts known as Madrid of the 'Austrias', containing the Royal Palace, the Plaza Oriente and Royal Opera House.
At the end of the street where the hotel is situated, you'll find a big fresh bread shop. For other purchases and cashpoints, head for the commercial centre. When I passed there was also a small tourist market outside the station and a couple selling fresh fruit out of a wheelbarrow.
How To Get From The Airport To The Hotel
Via Taxi: A taxi from the airport should take about 35 minutes and cost €24.00 to €27.00 (including airport supplement), depending on traffic conditions and assuming there is no excess baggage (that all baggage fits inside the boot and interior of the taxi).
Via 
Metro: You can take various metro routes directly from the airport to arrive at Principe Pio metro near the Florida Hotel Madrid Norte. Line number 8 leaves from inside the airport between terminals 1 and 2. I've given the quickest route below with the stations where you need to change listed:
Metro: Nuevos Ministerios (Pink Line, L8) Then change and head for Principe Pio (Dark Blue Line, L10).
Via Bus: You can take a red EMT public bus from the airport to Avenida America. The number bus that takes this route is the 115. From there it's quicker to change to the metro.
Reservations
Reservation Information For The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte
In A Nutshell
The Florida Hotel Madrid Norte is a business-like hotel with a stately feel to it. It has excellent transport connections as it is so near to the Principe Pio metro and train station. The commercial centre across the road is great news for shoppers, and you're in a pretty good location if you want to see Madrid's most picturesque district, as you can walk there in 20 minutes.
Florida Hotel Madrid Norte - 4 Star
Paseo de la Florida, 5
Metro: Principe Pio (Dark Blue Line, L10) Plus 3 minutes walk.
