High Tech President Castellana, Madrid

Advantages: Very close to the Puerta Del Sol and Gran Via.
Disadvantages: None

...I booked our short break through Expedia, who are always good at finding the best deals. Neither myself nor my husband had been to Madrid before, so we had no knowledge of the city at all. I researched the layout mapwise, to find out where the centre was regarding shopping, bars etc. The Puerta del Sol seemed as central as we could get. The hotel was on the Via Arenal, just off the square. On arrival we were greeted in good English by a very friendly receptionist and the check-in was smooth. The hotel was bright and modern. Not huge, but for a city centre it was big enough. There was a lift to all floors luckily, as we were on the 5th. Our room was large and airy. Satellite TV, air conditioning (a blessing in July), large double bed, plenty of storage and a wall safe. The bathroom was clean and roomy with one of those... Read review

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Advantages: Nice staff, clean, kettle in the room
Disadvantages: The local area, rather expensive

...This is yet another hotel stayed in when travelling with work. It's a four star hotel (Ciao has it listed as a three star) and is located in the business district in Madrid. The Estadio Santiago Bernabeau, the home of Real Madrid football club is also very close by if you are interested in football. Public transport is very good-metro station and bus stop near by, the bus is one Euro into central Madrid and unlike London they have plenty of bus lanes and regular services-every 5 minutes. And no over-crowding or rubbish strewn everywhere! The hotel itself is a typical sprawling 1980's concrete block. The surrounding area is a bit dodgy at night and opposite the hotel is a boarded up cinema. In fact the whole area is pretty much a concrete jungle and I would be careful with going out after dark as it's pretty deserted once... Read review

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Advantages: Characters
Disadvantages: Ending

...Reviews of Dead Presidents are mixed amongst popular critics -- and rightly so -- as it feels like there are two different films rolled into one here. Set in the late '60s, we meet Anthony (Larenz Tate, Menace II Society), an African-American youth who is about to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. Accompanied by his buddies Skip (Chris Tucker) and Jose (Freddy Rodriguez), he is sent to fight the war in Vietnam, and has to endure the devastating effects of violence, racism and poverty, in order to serve their country. Although escaping physically unharmed, the group eventually return home and discover that things start to get worse. Skip soon converts to being a heroin addict, Jose starts to believe that starting fires is the best method of reliving his tension, and Anthony squabbles constantly with his girlfriend (Rose Jackson) about... Read review

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