wife and I have 2 days in Madrid to spend....the older areas of Barrio de las Letras (Plaza Santa Ana) and Barrio be la Latina (South and west of Mayor) appeal. Both are tapas hotspots

can anyone give me a recommendation one vs. the other? what distinguishes them? and/or suggest a place to stay either:

a) between Plaza Santa Ana and Plaza Mayor, or

b) south of Plaza Mayor, in the La Latina/Austrias area around Cava Baja

I was hoping for a small hotel/inn/flat...ideally on a quaint side street or old sqaure. Ideas?

cheers,

brendan

When will this trip be happening and do you have a budget in mind?

There is little or no difference between Las Letras and Latina.

Hotel Plaza Mayor is a neat little hotel. 70Euro per night is what i am paying starting this Friday for 4 nights. Central to everything. Well recommended in several guide books and here on Fodor's. Look them up on Venere.com

hi. last week of February. I was hoping for less than 120 USD a night...so about 93E.

I have heard conflcitign reports. some say La Letras is very touristy and Latina is more "local." Some say Latina has good restarunats but can be quiet at night (the term was "boring" which I find extremely hard to believe)....while Santa Ana area has more to do...

I have also heard the exact opposite...that you should stay in Las Letras but go out in Latina....

I am guessing they are both solid

hi brendan,

frankly, Madrid isn't so big that where you are staying really matters, so long as you are in the centre.

you'll have a great time anyway.

regards, ann

good to hear. thanks

Check your hotels carefully. We've just seen some interesting price drops at some of the better corporate hotels.

thanks, Robert. any names you can share?

I looked up Hotel Plaza Mayor. Might be a good option.

Plaza Mayor and Santa Ana are a ten minute walk from one another. Consider Room Mate Alicia, a modern hotel on Santa Ana. Yes it is a stupid name, especially when you cosnider mate means kill in Spanish.

Off the Plaza Mayor (Toledo 18) is a unique store called called Casa Hernanz. The sell hemp products, of almost all kinds. No not that. They have huge selection of hemp shoes while someone next to you will be buying rope the size to tie up an ocean liner.

You can check the Hotel El Prado, which is just below Plaza Santa Ana. They are currently offering a double room for €97.50 to €114.75/night in mid to late Feb if you book in advance and stay a minimum of two nights. Not bad!

http://www.pradohotel.com/

Roommate Alicia - forget the weird name, but be sure you check out the shower situation; I'm sure there are many who have no pblm with it, but we chose to stay elsewhere because of the lack of a completely private shower (it's visible from the bedroom)

Interesting info on Robert's link to the Hotel El Prado there is a short cutural guide that lists events I think would be helpful.

Just returned yesterday from 4 nights at Hotel Plaza Mayor. I was very pleased. Room clean & comfortable. Location was excellent. Paid 69 Euros per night. I think it was a great find.