This ornate hotel was built in the 1800s, and the building is best known for being the birthplace of renowned artist Juan Gris in 1887. The marble lobby has a classic, elegant feel. There are columns with crystal wall sconces, matching chandeliers, traditional winged leather armchairs, and large windows overlooking the bustling street outside. The gray marble-topped reception desk is manned by smartly-dressed staff and adorned with a vase of flowers. Still, given the frequently hip and trendy boutique options that are packed into Madrid's historic center, once one reaches this hotel's rooms, it's all a bit bland from a style perspective, and for just a bit more money a lot more atmosphere can be found. The hotel is aimed at tourists rather than business guests, and attracts visitors from across the world. Couples and families of all ages stay here, and many are repeat customers.

The Hotel Europa's location right in the bustling heart of Madrid is hard to beat for tourists. The hotel sits directly on Puerta del Sol, which is the heart of Madrid, and is lined with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Many of the most popular historic sights in the city are within an easy walk. Just 10 minutes on foot will lead to the Royal Palace, La Almudena Cathedral, the Royal Theater, the Prado, and Retiro Park. Trendy Malasana and quaint Chueca -- two of the city's most popular neighborhoods -- are a 10-minute walk north of the hotel, while the Reina Sofia will take about 20 minutes to reach on foot, or 15 minutes by public transit. The hotel also sits directly above the Puerta del Sol Metro station, making it easy to get around to farther-flung destinations. Madrid-Barajas Airport is around 30 minutes away by taxi, or 40 minutes by metro.

The hotel's 99 guest rooms are available in a variety of configurations, some of which are ideal for families. The rooms are light and fairly spacious, although the decor feels dated and doesn’t match the elegance of the rest of the hotel. Guests can expect to see basic oak-veneer furniture and headboards, pastel patterned accent walls, and deep red drapes and bedspreads with floral or speckled patterns. It's not that anything is dirty or worn, it's all just a bit underwhelming, and the lack of any wall art doesn't help. All rooms have large windows and Juliet balconies, and Superior Rooms with a view over Puerta del Sol are available. Small flat-screen TVs are mounted to the wall, and the rooms also include free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and desks. The en-suite marble bathrooms look especially dated and the tan color of the marble makes them feel dark. Each includes a shower/tub combo, heated towel rail, hairdryer, and good selection of toiletries. 

The hotel has a busy cafe, which has an outdoor seating area and is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's popular with tourists, not just those who are guests at the hotel. The breakfast options include a typical Spanish-style breakfast of coffee, tortilla espanol, and toast with tomato and olive oil. Lunches and dinners are authentic and traditional too, with plenty of salads, sandwiches, tapas, and paella to choose from. Thanks to the pavement setting, many tourists like to sit outside, order a jug of sangria and people-watch. Cocktails are served in the evening too. The hotel also has a more formal restaurant with a classical black and white color scheme and stained glass ceiling, where traditional dinners from Madrid are served, as well as international food. The hotel also offers computer stations and a library for guests to use, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property.