I recently stayed at the Westin Palace. and you can walk everywhere. Other people on this forum like the Europa, which is also in a great location. I saw a parador near the plaza Mayor. it was a 4 star, but I did not go in.

Have a great trip.

I stayed at the Preciados Hotel (#2 rating in Trip Advisor) at the end of April and was more than happy with my stay. The location is central - 2 mins from the pedestrian shopping area and 10-15 mins stroll to the market and restaurants around there. No problem with street noise. The hotel is clean and furnishings are modern. It's not a luxurious hotel but it's still very nice and good value for its central location. Didn't try the breakfast. The staff are friendly.

If you dont care about cost you might consider the Ritz. Easy walking to heart of city, great museums and one helluva hotel experience.

Hola

The Inter Palacio - http://www.hotelpalaciosanmartin.es - gets a mention in the past.

Thank you thank you.........I'll have a look at all the suggestions, even the Ritz

ME Madrid Reina Victoria in Plaza Santa Ana. The Plaza doesn't sleep until dawn. We loved it, tapas bars all over the square.

Hi Aussiedreamer
My sister and I stayed in June'12 at a 2 star hotel in a great central location in Madrid called Room Mate Mario.The service by all staff was outstanding, buffet breakfast included,rooms large and very clean and nothing was too much trouble.It was located within walking distance to the metro, tourist bus,Puerta de Sol and shopping streets,markets of San Miguel,Plaza Major and the most fantastic shoe shop called Casa Hernanz.Our 4 day stay in Madrid in our 6 weeks trip around Europe was a highlight mainly because of the location.

Hi Aussiedreamer, I was on a home exchange so didn't stay in a hotel but I have a little suggestion for a restaurant that I DIDN'T get to because I didn't know about the upstairs section. There is a converted market hall called Mercado San Miguel that has the most fantastic range of food. Most people eat downstairs and there isn't much room but there is a restaurant on the top floor where my daughter has eaten a couple of times which is really great. Enjoy.

you guys are great, thanks travelnut265 and surfergirl I will check them both out.

AussieFrance, the San Miguel is on the list (dd was there a year ago and still talks about the amazing food they ate there) its great to have the upstairs 'tip'.

Much appreciated.

Ps: The Ritz is out

I second Surfergirls suggestion of ME Madrid Reina Victoria in Plaza Santa Ana. As in the thick of it as it gets, I always stay around here. The hotel gets great reviews: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/melia-reina-victoria.en.html

On the plaza itself there are lots of cafés, bars and restaurants long into the night, and the best jazz and flamenco clubs in Madrid are on your doorstep: Café Central (jazz, live performances with top artists every night at 10pm, 15€) and Casa Patas and Cardamomo for the best flamenco performances. Legendary flamenco club Villa Rosa from 1910 is also 50 meters from the hotel. The culture and nightlife of the Barrio de Las Letras/Literary quarter is also right outside your door. http://www.barrioletras.com/

About Plaza Santa Ana: http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Hi,
If it not too late, we spent 3 days in Madrid in the hotel Husa Paseo del Arte @ 123 Atocha, Madrid by Atocha train station and Queen Sofia Art museum.

Lily