Eurostars Madrid Tower

Once upon a time the stylish modern hotels were smallish and independently owned, while the massive towers tended very much towards the beige and bland side of things. It’s no longer quite so simple. The Eurostars Madrid Tower is no mom-and-pop operation — it’s part of a fairly extensive chain, and occupies 30 high floors of a skyscraper in the business district of northern Madrid. But to look inside is to be immediately convinced of its style bona fides; there are tiny little boutiques out there that wish they could look half this good.

Of course with just shy of five hundred rooms you can forget about that intimate boutique feeling. But they’re not shy about their skyscraper status — witness the photos of famous towers, installed in every room. And you won’t typically find such far-ranging views, such ultra-modern amenities, or even such high-quality construction (right down to the insulation) in hotels more modest than this one.

The up side of something so massive is that it can support extensive conference facilities, a full-service spa, and a well-equipped health club. This being modern Spain, the gastronomy is taken quite seriously, as is the football — not only are many of the capital’s business destinations close at hand, but so is the Bernabéu, home to the storied Real Madrid.