DanT99

I have read your post with interest, I love Madrid. The only comment I would say, Calle Hortaleza is infamous red light street. Unfortunately populated by the wrong sorts.
Steer clear...

I recommend trying a Sol Melia hotel or Petit Palais - book direct with the chain.

Dan
www.qualityvillas.com

Chania

thanks for your help Dan T99. Your link takes me to villas in France? But I will stay away from that area in Madrid.

Molloy95

Chania -- too bad about Adria. We are staying there for three nights in Sept at the beginning of our trip and four nights in Oct at the end. We were told there was a three night min for that time of year.

You might try Hotel Plaza Mayor -- it seems to get consistently good reviews on Trip Advisor and by posters here. TA review: http://tiny.cc/Sy838

Hostal Barrera is very highly rated on TA as well: http://tiny.cc/82qtZ It is closer to Atocha (train station) than Santa Ana, making if further away from most of the big sights, but seems to be in a decent location. I haven't searched for it here but you might want to.

Keep us posted on how you turn out.

Maribel

Chania,
A big second to Molloy's suggestion of the 2 star, very nice for the price Hotel Plaza Mayor, favorably reviewed also on this forum. Friends of mine are fans, and I've included it in my guide-I know the location and the hotel and have seen some rooms. If you can go a bit over your budget, you'll be pleased with your choice, if it's available for your date.

Chania

The Plaza Mayor is 85 euro which is over our budget of 70 euro. Also, the rooms do not appear to have fridges. I am e-mailing Hostal Adriano to check availability. Perhaps Santaana does not speak for them?

MadridMan

As you've probably found out by now, the Hostal Adriano (web: http://www.HostalAdriano.com ) and sister hostels Hostal Adria and Hostal Adria Santa Ana (web: http://www.hostaladriasantaana.com/ ) all have refrigerators in their rooms - although the Adria Santa Ana is over your budget limit. But it doesn't matter now since they're full - as always. Very popular place.

I think I *may* have seen one or maybe two other hostels (called "hostales" in Spain/Spanish = budget hotels) which have mini-refrigerators but their names escape me now. Is THAT is a criteria you require your choices are slim as this amenity is typically only found in the higher priced hotels.

This fridge criteria may have to be withdrawn. Concentrate on the 150+ hostels in Madrid which have websites and choose a nice one far below your 70 Euros per night budget.

Saludos, MadridMan @ you-know-where!

Maribel

Chania,
Since it can be a little overwhelming to go through the 150 websites of hostales, you might give a look at just a few in the very handy and lively Barrio de las Letras area that have been well reviewed on Trip Advisor or featured in the Let's Go, Rough and Lonely Plant guides.

I'd start with the Hostal Barrera that Molloy gave you on Atocha (but make sure to book an interior room due to the very noisy avenue).

I'd also look at the Hostal Gonzalo on Cervantes, very near the Plaza de Santa Ana.
www.hostalgonzalo.com

also Hostal Marlasca on Calle de la Cruz
www.hostalmarlasca.com

Rates at the Gonzalo, 55
at the Marlasca, 57

worldinabag

I stayed at the Marlasca and had no complaints. Spacious enough room, clean, pleasant staff and excellent location. I had a street facing room with a Juliet balcony which was great but be aware it is a little noisy so if you're a light sleeper request a room off the street.

Chania

I am looking at Hostal Pizarro. They have twins and doubles for 45 Euro with mini bar. Does anyone know what it is like? Also, they do not have an e-mail contact so other than phoning or faxing they are linked to Book Assist on their website. Does anyone have experience using bookassist?
http://www.hostalpizarro.eu/en/ They are located at Calle Pizarro which appears to be a good location and within easy walking distance of puerta del sol?

worldinabag

Location is fine. It is in the gay quarter of Madrid which may not be agreeable for some.

cova

Not knowing about you, I donīt know if you would find OK in Hostal Pizarro. It is in a rougher area than Chueca (no matter what someone wrote about Hortaleza, I, as a woman, have always felt safe there), not bad to go out at night and so on, but I know there are people I wouldnīt recommend it.

Rgds, Cova

Molloy95

Well, it looks nice and tidy in the photos and it meets your criteria for mini-fridge and budget. Cova has given you an idea of what the neighborhood is like -- you're just off Gran Via and W of Chueca. As mentioned above, some might not recommend, but comes in below budget. Keep us posted if you book it or if you find something else.

Chania

I have a reservation for 1 night at Hostal Santo Domingo http://www.hostalsantodomingo.es/
which at 80 E double is a little over budget and then the 2nd night at Hostal Pizzaro for 45 E. Couldn't get Hostal Pizzaro for 2 nights.
http://www.hostalpizarro.eu/ They are .2 klm or 2 minutes walk from each other according to google maps if I did it right. I'll let you know how we find them. Thank you for all your help.

scdreamer

Just back from a couple weeks in Spain five days ago - I would highly recommend Hotel Plaza Mayor in Madrid. We stayed for two nights, and it was clean, well-located, comfortable, and the staff couldn't do enough for us. They even sold me stamps when I needed to send a letter.