ME Madrid Reina Victoria

Although plans to turn this into Europe's first Hard Rock hotel didn't quite come off, the Melia chain has appropriated the lovely old Hotel Reina Victoria to showcase its 'ME' brand. These are 'experience-based personality hotels'. Whatever that means, and despite smallish rooms, the end result is supremely comfortable, with luxury bed linen, Aveda toiletries and lots to keep gadget-fiends happy, not only with plasma screens, CD and DVD players, but even iPod adapters (ask at reception for a pre-set iPod if you left yours at home).