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Gulia, I have not stayed at his apt, but I think it is not far from Retiro, why don't you send him an e-mail and find out.
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p.s.
City City Population City Pop Rank Urban Area Population Urban Area Rank Madrid 2905100 56 5078100 52 Barcelona 1497700 143 3871400 72 |
GiuliaPiraino,
The review of the AC Recoletos in my Madrid guide is accurate. We had a very pleasant stay there with efficient service and all the creature comforts that we needed, including the free Wi-Fi downstairs, a lounge for reading, relaxing, with jazz on Thurs. (I believe) nights and a light bar menu prepared by the kitchen of the 5 star AC Palacio del Retiro. Baths come with robes and slippers. Free mini bars stocked with San Miguel beer, water, juices, soft drinks. As for our room, it was decorated in the customary dark palette of grey, black, white that the AC design team uses for all their properties (including the flagship Palacio del Retiro). We stay in many AC hotels for business so the color scheme doesn't bother me. On our last stay we had a standard room which was ample in size. If you want a lighter, more airy looking room, you can request a dormer room on the top floor (look at the photos on www.ac-hotels.com), all which have a lighter color scheme. N.B. The only quibble I had with our room (actually, with the designer) was the opaque glass wall that separated the bath from the bedroom which didn't leave much privacy. Many have commented about that darned dark, translucent wall. Don't know if the dormer rooms have the same design or not. I certainly wouldn't stay there with someone with whom I wasn't intimate! As I've mentioned here before, we've seen it all in terms of the hip, trendy, "open bath" arrangements in Spain designer hotels-so this doesn't startle me anymore. Everything from a lack of door separating bedroom from bath (Parador Alcalá de Henares, Panticosa Resort,standard rooms some Room Mates), floor to ceiling glass wall (with blinds) between shower and bedroom (Gran Domine), open bath behind the sleeping area (4th floor rooms at Lerma Parador), only a curtain separating bath from sleeping area (Hotel Miró), shower cubicle positioned in the middle of the suite (Urban), jacuzzi tub next to bed (several hotels)... This open bath idea seems to be "de rigueur" as a design element these days. About a rental: In late June we had the chance to meet the "team" at Spain-Select, and Caroline took us on a tour of some of their new apartments, decorated in high style by their design group. I was quite impressed with these new properties (no open baths!). Because we had only one day with Spain-Select, we didn't get to see some of the gorgeous properties in the Salamanca quarter, which were occupied. These, in theory, rent by the month (but Caroline says they are flexible about that policy if they have availability for a shorter period). I would certainly inquire about the possibility of something in the Salamanca quarter or the Retiro district (above the Retiro Park, around O'Donnell or Ibiza streets. Interesting you mentioned Chueca. While it wouldn't be on my short list for a rental (I'm a Salamanca district gal-my former home), the apartment we saw directly on the Plaza Chueca was gorgeous (newly decorated and kept spotless) with a stunning kitchen and super baths and surprisingly quiet, thanks to the best double glazing possible. The Almirante area, near Spain-Select's offices, has some nice properties as well. Their older properties, which don't bear the stamp of their ace design team, don't have quite the same look. About New Year's: Last year there was quite a demand during the Xmas-NY period but the year before, we snagged a really great deal at the Hesperia Hermosilla. You never know. But because of the crisis and dramatic drop in occupancy at Madrid hotels, you may find some very attractive rates for this holiday season. I'm expecting rates will remain very, very competitive throughout the year. I haven't seen any of the Friendly Rentals properties. kakiebell, We've actually stayed at the Hesperia Madrid (snagged an unbelievably good rate). It's only a couple of blocks from where I went to school, so I enjoyed being back in that neighborhood. This time we stayed at its little sister, the Hesperia Hermosilla, but we would certainly return to the Madrid flagship if the price were right. All the Hesperia properties offer free Wi-Fi (that actually works well)! It's certainly a quiet neighborhood even though it sits on the Castellana. It's close to a metro station, and of course the 45 and 27 buses (careful of pickpockets on this line) run down the boulevard. There aren't as many handy restaurants in the immediate area of the Hesperia, but I can give you a list if you're interested. Breakfasts in 5 stars, of course, run around 25 euros, which we avoid by walking around the corner to a local cafe. While I don't usually recommend that area for the first time visitor, the business class hotels there, like the Hesperia and the Intercontinental, are great properties. We've been happy at both, but we don't always need to be down near the museum triangle. |
Well, I have been researching for hours today and it looks like an apartment is probably not going to be the best option.
Now I'm down to the AC Recoletos or the Hesperia Hermosilla. The Hesperia Hermosilla said they could not guarantee that if I booked a standard room that I wouldn't get the kind that has a sink in the room (which I don't like at all). They said that the Superior rooms all have the sink in the bathroom rather than in the bedroom, which is great I'd rather not take the risk. They also said that they couldn't guarantee a specific room (I asked for room 108 based on your guide), but if it was available of course we could have it. So I'm leaning more toward the Hesperia because it's only $214 with free internet in the room and free breakfast and the AC Recoletos is $240 with breakfast included but internet is not free in the room, but free downstairs. Is the location or anything about the hotel worth the extra $26 per night? I read both of the reviews in the Madrid guide, they both sound really nice. What does a typical Spanish "hotel breakfast buffet" look like???? Most Italian buffets are not so hot if they are in a smaller hotel, but then again the Italians are satisfied with coffee and a croissant. Just curious. Can we expect hot food? Getting so close! Now once I pick a hotel we can focus on New Years Eve plans! |
We just stayed at the Hermosilla in late June, but we never take the breakfast buffet, which does have hot and cold items on it, I believe.
We just walk up to Calle Velázquez, corner of Don Ramón de la Cruz, to our favorite gourmet deli, Mallorca (Madrid's "version" of Peck, sort of). There's also a branch on Serrano within one block of the AC Recoletos, so we breakfast there. The AC breakfasts are a nice combo of hot and cold items, including eggs, a potato omelette, sausages, ham, breakfast sandwiches, yoghurts, cereals, pastries, make- your- own Nespresso, Each Spanish buffet breakfast is different. I can't generalize, since it depends entirely on the property. Like the "peek-a-boo", voyeuristic baths, I've seen it all. I'm afraid the hotels in the Madrid file of mine don't want to promise to honor specific room requests. I really don't blame them. They need to keep their flexibility. For what it's worth, we've always requested a standard EXTERIOR room at the Hermosilla, and our request has been honored. The standard exterior rooms don't have the sink in the bedroom and are more spacious. The locations of both are exemplary. The Hermosilla is a new breed hotel in a converted mansion whose pared-down decor is strictly contemporary, although they've maintained the lovely original staircase. And it's just a 3 star, so one can't expect bathrobes, slippers, designer toiletries, overnight shoe shine, 24 hr. room service, liveried doorman, chandeliers, Persian rugs, concierge desk, etc. If you were considering the Gran Fénix, which is a Leading Hotels of the World, it's not in that category. At the AC Recoletos one gets the free mini bar, CD player, robes, slippers, the lounge bar downstairs with great drinks and even better munchies. It's also a highly contemporary space created inside a beautiful mansion. For us on this past stay and with 12 weeks of hotel stays per year to pay for in euro-land (with 10 days at a major festival when hotel rates triple, even quadruple), it was all about which had the best price in this sour economy. We'll return to the Recoletos, Hesperia, Intercontinental, Wellington whenever we find a great deal and don't need to be near the Art Walk. |
Maribel,
Well, we have kept you busy today! Thank you for all this wonderful information. I have kind of jumped onto the back of GiuliaPiraino's forum since we are both looking for the same kind of properties. We are on our way out of Spain when staying at the Hesperia Madrid so are in no need to be close to attractions. We have only one night left in Spain and do not want to spend it at the airport as our flight does not leave till 1 p.m. the next day. Thank you as always, Maribel. |
bookmarking
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Danon-- thank you for proving my point with stats provided. It further confirms that Madrid and Barcelona are BOTH huge cities. Well done.
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Maribel, is this a nice location? http://www.spain-select.com/detail_v...p?id_villa=514
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Viajero2 on Aug 5, 09 at 06:53 AM Danon-- thank you for proving my point with stats provided. It further confirms that Madrid and Barcelona are BOTH huge cities. Well done." I said: "Madrid is very different than Barcelona. It is a huge city." Two different sentences. It does not imply Barcelona is small, medium, or ...just different. What was your point anyway.., why does it have to "proven" , and how is it important to OP? |
I was a little confused by that. I just assumed Madrid would be huge since it's the capital city.
Anyone have thoughts on this apartment??? |
danon-- Reading and Comprehension needs not to be scary at all, give it a go. I know you can, best of luck. BTW, >>why does it have to "proven" (sic)<<....aren't YOU the one who provided the stats....? LOL
OP: the apartment looks fabulous!! is close to the Chueca Area, great and fun during the day, including good eateries, but it can get a bit seedy at night. Your call as far as level of comfort. Have fun! Madrid is amazing!! |
Darn, I thought it looked close enough to the Paseo Castellana to be a nice neighborhood. I might still consider this one.
How about this area just west of Retiro park? MAP http://www.spain-select.com/popup_ma...y=-3.689604249 APARTMENT http://www.spain-select.com/detail_v...p?id_villa=420 |
It's in the Almirante area, between Chueca and the Paseo de la Castellana, where Spain-Select has its headquarters. Almirante has become quite a chic, trendy area with nice boutiques, as well as close to Salesas (Plaza de las Salesas).
The second one is located in a classic, elegant area behind the Prado (rather than contemporary, trendy), which I actually prefer, close to Retiro Park and within fairly easy walking distance of the boutiques of the Salamanca quarter. We walk through there all the time when going from the Salamanca district down to the Prado. Very chic neighborhood but....not blessed with an abundance of grocery stores, cafes, restaurants. Very quiet. |
Maribel,
I just noticed that all of the Spain-Select rentals say minimum 1 month. I think you mentioned that in an earlier post. Do they usually repsond to email very quickly. Recoletos is still my fall back but my husband wants and apartment due to the $/space ratio of the hotels. I don't blame him, I'd prefer a nice posh apartment too, but there are thousands of them and it's making my head spin! I wish I could just find a nice apartment near Hesperia and Recoletos hotels! If you know of a nice one, please let me know! |
no all, take another look, there are several per day.
at the begging of the site |
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BTW, Viajero,
Maybe men and women don't have the same idea what "huge" is. I would bet that your mother's tongue ( like mine) is not English... But, if it is your way of proving you are un baron..so be it. |
GiuliaPiraino,
As danon has noted, not all of the Spain-Select rentals require a one month stay. A few have a 3 night minimum, others longer, However....And I know, from having spoken to Caroline about this issue, is that they try to be flexible regarding those rentals that have a longer minimum stay. If one happens to be available for your dates around the holiday season (when business folks don't stay in the city), you may be able to rent it for a shorter amount of time. Don't know about just 5 days, though-it depends on the rental and your specific dates. You would need to inquire directly about the specific property you're interested in. As I said, I didn't get to see any in the Salamanca or Retiro neighborhoods that day, since they were occupied. But I do know both areas well and like both neighborhoods very much. |
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