pnb

Hi, we will be in Madrid the 3rd week of Spain and I'm having a difficult time picking a hotel as so many places get mixed reviews.

We prefer 4/5 star hotels as I feel the hotel you stay at really influnces the trip. That said, we are trying not to spend too much as we want to splurge in costa del sol and sevilla. Does anyone have any hotel recommendations and/or tips on booking a hotel?

Thanks!!!

Robert2533

I'll have to refer you to Maribel's web page (http://maribelsguides.com/) so that you can download a free copy of her Guide to Madrid. The guide contains numerous recommendations for hotel in all categories. We have our favorites and can usually find a good deal on the web, but there are also good deals available through other sources in Spain if you know where to look.

marcy_

We've stayed twice at the Villa Real and really liked it. Large rooms, nice restaurant and bar, GREAT location- very close to the Prado and the Thyssen museums, lots of restaurants, but on a relatively quiet square.

http://www.derbyhotels.es/eng/villa_real_in.htm

cruiseluv

We stayed at the Villa Real in July and we really liked it. Really nice room, bathroom and service. As noted above , location is very good. We got what I considered a good rate in their website( 150 Euros per night).

Wildfire

I stayed at the Palacio San Martin at Plaza Descalzas. Very centrally located but nice and quiet. Close to the puerta del Sol and downtown, convenient to the metro and well within your price range.

the lobby sitting room is not very large but otherwise this hotel is super

n_marquis

We stayed at the Tryp Ambassador and really enjoyed it. It is by the Opera. We also stayed at the hotel Liabeny, near Puerta del Sol. A little noisy but a beautiful hotel and very modern looking rooms. Great location

Leebro

We stayed in a great hotel in Madrid in May of 2003. It was the Gran Melia Fenix. It was a four-star hotel that felt like a five star. The rooms were great, the service was excellent and the lobby was spectacular.

This hotel is special. It's web site is www.solmelia.com.

There was even a Hard Rock Cafe next door if you get lonely for Amercian food.

I was also in Sevilla and the costa del sol (Nerja) and I would recomend spending the extra money in Madrid rather than in the other cities.

Anyway, have a great time

jmj

I would not recommend the Asturias near the Puerto del Sol. We were one of two groups who were told that our reservations did not go through, and we were told the hotel was sold out when it was not. When we finally opted to stay there anyway (all others booked), they raised the price, and the rooms were not nice, not air-conditioned, and noisy. The breakfast was sub-par and the hotel did not match the description listed in the guide. The main problem was the staff - rude, unhelpful, and obnoxious.

I would recommend the Clarion Preciados for a convenient location, clean room, and helpful staff.

Robert2533

The Intercontinental Castellana in Madrid is an excellent 5-star. it's location can't be beat, but it may be a little more than you're willing to pay.

Another excellent choice is the 4-star H10 Villa de La Reina located at Gran Via, 22. The rooms are comfortable but again, the rate for a double is around 175 euros per night.

TopMan

Wherever you decide to stay I think the first thing you have to know is what REALLY matters to you in terms of the hotel "experience."

Being close to public transport is one of my concerns usually..but what is "close"????? one block, two blocks, five blocks, etc.?

And I'd read ALL of those so-called "reviews" with a very critical eye...some people get upset about aspects that might be immaterial to you and when you see those subjective terms such as "rude" "dirty" "service was slow" "service was great" and so forth...well, take it for what it is probably worth.

mgmargate

BUDGET?

gualalalisa

We really liked the Westin Palace.

Nice neighborhood, within walking distance of the Prado and outstanding food. The hotel has a beautiful lobby under a stained glass dome, a fancy British type bar and a great spa/health club.

We stayed in a junior suite but all the rooms have that divine Westin Heavenly Bed which more than lived up to its hype. The service was wonderful, polite and friendly.

If you can get a deal that fits your budget, I'd consider staying there.