--- title: "Hostal Ballesta vs Zel Madrid: which hotel is better?" description: "Pick Hostal Ballesta. It comes out ahead on 5 of 16 compared facts. Hostal Ballesta or Zel Madrid in Madrid? Compare guest ratings, location, amenities…" url: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hostal-ballesta-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/ language: en source: StayVersus (https://stayversus.com) retrieved: 2026-10-17 --- # Hostal Ballesta vs Zel Madrid Both are in Madrid, 190 m apart. Here is where each one is stronger. Guesthouse · ★★ · Chueca ## [Hostal Ballesta](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/hostal-ballesta-madrid/) - **Guest rating:** 8.5 · Very good - **Location score:** 9.5 - **Score by category:** 5 of 16 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/1555990/agoda/?lang=en) Hotel · ★★★ · Chueca ## [Zel Madrid](https://stayversus.com/en/hotel/zel-madrid-madrid/) - **Guest rating:** 8.3 · Very good - **Location score:** 9.9 - **Score by category:** 4 of 16 [Check rates](https://stayversus.com/go/2389724/agoda/?lang=en) The short answer ## Pick Hostal Ballesta It comes out ahead on 5 of 16 compared facts. 190 m apart. ### Choose Hostal Ballesta if you want - the more consistently praised stay - a smaller, quieter hotel - a newer or recently renovated building ### Choose Zel Madrid if you want - a big hotel with more facilities ### Why is Hostal Ballesta better than Zel Madrid? 1. Newer or more recently renovated (2009 vs 2000) (+9y) 2. Earlier check-in (13:00 vs 14:00) (−1h) 3. A smaller, more intimate hotel (35 vs 175 rooms) (−140) ### Why is Zel Madrid better than Hostal Ballesta? 1. Higher star rating (3★ vs 2★) (+1★) 2. Later check-out (12:00 vs 11:00) (+1h) 3. A larger hotel with more facilities (175 vs 35 rooms) (×5.0) ## All compared facts Every category is scored from 0 to 10 with the same formula for every hotel. | | Hostal Ballesta | Zel Madrid | | --- | --- | --- | | Score by category | | Guest rating | 8.5 | 8.3 | | Location | 9.5 | 9.9 (+0.4) | | Ratings & reviews | | StayVersus score | 8.5 (+0.2) | 8.3 | | Guest rating | 8.5 (+0.2) | 8.3 | | Number of reviews | 146 | 192 (+46) | | Rank in Madrid | top 48% (+20%) | top 68% | | Location | | Location score | 9.5 | 9.9 (+0.4) | | Distance to Chueca centre | 380 m | 390 m | | To the airport | 14 km | 14 km | | Restaurants within 500 m | 150 | 150 | | Sights within 1 km | 40 | 40 | | Rooms & building | | Star rating | ★★ | ★★★ (+1★) | | Rooms | 35 | 175 | | Floors | 5 | 8 | | Newest building or renovation | 2009 (+9y) | 2000 | | Listed amenities | 8 | 8 | | Policies | | Check-in from | 13:00 (−1h) | 14:00 | | Check-out until | 11:00 | 12:00 (+1h) | | Amenities | | Parking | ✓ | – | | Shuttle | ✓ | – | | Concierge | ✓ | – | | Luggage storage | ✓ | ✓ | | Air conditioning | ✓ | – | | In-room safe | ✓ | – | | Blackout curtains | ✓ | ✓ | | Free Wi-Fi | – | ✓ | | Breakfast | – | ✓ | | Bar | – | ✓ | | Smoke-free | – | ✓ | | Minibar | – | ✓ | | Which hotel suits you | | Families with children | ✓ | ✓ | | Couples | ✓ | ✓ | | Sightseeing on foot | ✓ | ✓ | | Business trips | – | ✓ | | Spa & relaxation | ✓ | ✓ | ## Location 190 m apart Hostal Ballesta: city centre: 280 m, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD): 14 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 40+ sights within 1 km. Zel Madrid: city centre: 200 m, Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD): 14 km, 150+ places to eat within 500 m, 40+ sights within 1 km. [Top-rated of 87 hotels in Gran Vía](https://stayversus.com/en/spain/madrid/area/gran-via/) ## Hostal Ballesta or Zel Madrid: common questions ### Which is better, Hostal Ballesta or Zel Madrid? Hostal Ballesta leads in 5 of 16 categories, including StayVersus score, guest rating, rank in Madrid. Zel Madrid is stronger in number of reviews, location score, star rating. ### Which is cheaper, Hostal Ballesta or Zel Madrid? Prices change by date. Pick your dates above to see both nightly prices side by side. ### How far apart are Hostal Ballesta and Zel Madrid? The two hotels are 190 m apart in a straight line. ## More match-ups - [Hostal Ballesta vs Hostal Tokio](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hostal-ballesta-madrid-vs-hostal-tokio-madrid/) - [Hostal Ballesta vs Hostal Santo Domingo](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hostal-ballesta-madrid-vs-hostal-santo-domingo-madrid/) - [Hostal Ballesta vs Hostal La Fontana](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hostal-ballesta-madrid-vs-hostal-la-fontana-madrid/) - [Zel Madrid vs Pestana CR7 Gran Via Madrid](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/pestana-cr7-gran-via-madrid-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/) - [Zel Madrid vs NH Collection Madrid Gran Via](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/nh-collection-madrid-gran-via-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/) - [Zel Madrid vs H10 Villa de la Reina Boutique Hotel](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/h10-villa-de-la-reina-boutique-hotel-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/) - [Zel Madrid vs Hotel Anaco](https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hotel-anaco-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/) ## Compare now Updated 6 Oct 2026. Data: Agoda, Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports and hotels' own websites. We may earn a commission from partner links; it never changes the comparison. [How we score](https://stayversus.com/en/about/) --- Source: https://stayversus.com/en/compare/hostal-ballesta-madrid-vs-zel-madrid-madrid/. Facts are compiled by StayVersus from partner data (Agoda), Overture Maps, OpenStreetMap, OurAirports, public Google Maps listings and hotels' own websites. Scores use one formula for every hotel. Methodology: https://stayversus.com/en/about/