jillfreeman

Any tips on where to stay in Madrid and Barcelona? We'd be interested in mid-priced, charming, quaint places...

Thanks-Jill

JJBhoy

Hi Jill,

Can I make some suggestions?

Firstly, as you can imagine, this is a question which has been asked (& answered) many times before on this board. Have you tried doing a search in the "Search This Forum" box above? If not, have a look under "Barcelona hotels" & "Madrid hotels" & you will get A LOT of information.

Next, the term "mid-priced" will mean different things to different people. Give us an idea of the nightly budget you have in mind & I'm sure that someone will reply with some recommendations.

Finally, an excellent website which is often recommended here is;

http://maribelsguides.com/

Maribel used to post regularly here & has helped many, many Fodorites(including myself). What she doesn't know about Barcelona & Madrid isn't worth knowing!

Hope this helps,

Jim

ati2d

SOFTGUIDE HAS GREAT INFO:
http://www.softguides.com/madrid_guide/maps/m1p4.html

ati2d

I MEANT TO ALSO ADD
http://www.madridman.com/
FOR HOSTELS, HOTEL, ETC

otto

i must highly reccomend le meridien in barcelona. no complaints, top notch from start to finish. it's right on la ramblas, and the rates are pretty good!

ParrotMom

We stayed at the Hotel Continental on The Ramblas, boutique type hotel with only 60 rooms one flight up. We had an outside room with balcony and bistro set so we could people watch. There is a continental breakast in the a.m. and refreshments available all day long, plus free internet service.

magay

In Barcelona we stayed at the Best Western Regina (yes, a Best Western) while on our honeymoon 5 years ago. Very reasonably priced and in a fantastic location right off Plaza Catalunya at the top of Las Ramblas. Nothing fancy, though, but the room was clean, comfortable, albeit small - typical European size. The bathroom, however, was huge! We definitely had plenty of money left over for dinner, wine, and excursions.

wco81

How much did you pay at the Barcelona Meridien Otto?

What time of the year was your stay?

I'm an SPG member so that is a possibility.

otto

wc...i did get an industry rate. but even on the internet, it was about 250 euros. the location can't be beat. nearly the whole city is within walking distance. and the service! still remember the bartenders name. search a bit, and you'll see my comments from barcelona. i know by now it's better to pay just a little bit up for location...wouldn't you be paying for transportion and time otherwise?

otto

btw...it was november, and booked 3 weeks in advance. ;-)

Intrepid1

There are some who don't like LeMeridien because it <b>is</b> on Las Ramblas..lots of talk about the noise, the congestion, etc., etc. It is a very nice hotel and well-located for that part of the city, the nearby Gothic Quarter.

The Placa Catalunya is only a couple of blocks away.

You might also look at one of the Apsis hotels, particularly the Atrium Palace. It is well-located just two blocks from the Placa Catalunya and the buffet breakfast cannot be beat. Modern-style rooms and bathrooms.

Intrepid1

http://www.apsishotels.com/

wco81

Thanks Otto.

I have an apt. booked on the Eixample, just 2 blocks north of the Pl. Catalunya for all but one day of my stay.

Only reason I would stay at Meridien is to earn SPG points.

Right now, I think the lowest-priced room is 230 Euros, not including the taxes and amenities. But if you try a date only a couple of weeks out, then it's like 179 euros. So these hotels have demand-based pricing.

Meridien merges into the Starwood program like a week or two before I arrive so it may not work out.

otto

i heard the same comments about &quot;the noise&quot; and congestion on la ramblas. the only noise i had was the construction that week, at the hotel! i even got a little stuffed animal bear (to &quot;bear&quot; with them while they were under construction&quot. zero complaints about the noise and congestion from the street. couldn't be further from the truth.