Stayed here in summer 2005 - horrifically high temperatures, and the hotel was a welcome refuge to come back to. Traditionally furnished but very comfortable. Staff very friendly and very helpful - even when we arrived for check-in hours before normal time. Really good breakfast buffet. Just down the road from the AC Mauro, where the staff (presumably used to Posh and Becks and not interested in lesser beings) couldn't have been more UNfriendly if they'd tried! There are trendier hotels, and more central (as in, close to the museums) hotels, but this is a good one, very friendly, and only a few minutes from the shops of the Salamanca district, or the round-town tour buses. Would stay again.

We spent five perfect nights at Hotel Orfila in Madrid. Staff is very friendly, English-speaking, and wonderfully accomodating. Clientelle seemed mostly European, very upscale and sophisticated.This small, traditionally furnished hotel is beautifully restored and rooms are very plushly decorated, with large bathrooms and very comfortable living space. Good breakfast buffet and also several cafes nearby. Location is one of the best assets, near Plaza de Colon in a very upscale neighborhood. The subway stop is about three blocks away, or you can take a 15-minute walk down the stunning Paseo de Recoletos to the main street, Gran Via. Nearby neighborhoods in walking distance are Salamanca (Madrid's best neighborhood, lots of shopping and restaurants) and Chueca for late-night dining and barhopping. There are many cafes and bars within walking distance, as well as taxi stands three blocks away on Calle Genova. You definitely get more than you pay for at this great hotel!

I just returned from a great trip to Madrid, Spain. During my time there I stayed at the Hotel Orfila. I was very impressed with the level of service and the ambiance of the hotel. It was pretty, very clean and located on a nice, quiet street within walking distance of key venues and attractions. The hotel staff was lovely and very accomodating. They went out of their way to make my stay a very enjoyable one. They were helpful, friendly and very professional. I highly recommend this hotel! It was a real pleasure!

I stayed twice at this excellent hotel, ideally located in the center of Madrid.
The main characteristic of this hotel is discretion: located on a quite street, it is an old building exquisitely adapted for the hotel, with none of the bragadoccio associated with the main chains. The service is superb, the rooms are large and quiet (most of them with no views), and it has a small restaurant with patio.
The only drawback is price: it is an expensive hotel. But if you are looking for a quiet, low-key luxurious hotel, this is the place.