We will be traveling to Madrid in December. Any suggestions on rooms. We would like to try to keep it around $50. US dollara a night. Has anyone heard of the Gran Via or Los Cortes. We are looking for something centrally located.

Try the following website: <BR> <BR>http://www.madridman.com/madridhostels.html

Found this on the Rick Steves website Grafitti Wall/Bulletin Board (http://www.ricksteves.com) for you: <BR> <BR>"In defense of Rick's listings, though, I'd like to recommend the only one we could get a reservation at, Hostal Montalvo in Madrid, just 1/2 block from the Plaza Mayor. Every time we climbed the stairs to the 3rd floor (what Americans call the 4th floor) I was raving about the wonderful woodwork. This hotel really has character and is very friendly, with a multi-lingual manager (I heard him conversing in fluent French and Italian as well as in English)." <BR>Mary from Oregon <BR> USA 07/14/00 <BR> <BR>

Please do a search on this forum by Hotel Mora, and/or check the Rants & Raves section. The Gran Via and Paseo del Prado are two of the most centrally located avenues in Madrid. Hotel Mora is in Paseo del Prado. STRONGLY RECOMMEND IT.

Sue, I also stayed at Hotel Mora. It is a very good deal with clean rooms and great location. You wouldn't regret it. <BR>

Thanks for the information. After reading your comments and the comments from Sonia's question, it seems that the Hotel Mora is a good choice. Thanks again

BJ, <BR> <BR>Thanks for the information on Rick Steve's website. Gave us lots of information and ideas other than the Hotel.

Sue, even if you are not a 'backpacker' you might also find some of the info at the following website helpful as well: <BR> <BR>http://www.eurotrip.com <BR> <BR>Appreciate your kind words and am glad to be able to help.

Sue <BR> <BR>You might like to try: <BR> <BR>www.madridman.com <BR> <BR>which is a website run by a self confessed Madrid Lover. <BR> <BR>There are links there to a number of Hostales (not Hostels) in Madrid, many of whom have eMail addresses. Hostels can cost you from P2,500 per night for a double room up to P6,000 per night, depending on what they are and what they are offering. <BR> <BR>David

We just got back from Spain, and stayed at a Hostel on the Gran Via (Gran Via 15 to be exact) called Hispano-Argentino. It was on the 6th floor of a building with probably 7 or 8 other hostals. It does have a web site (www.hispano-argntino.com) a lovely patio and Jose does serve alcohol if you're so inclined. Cost was 8000 pesetas a night for a two person room, the bathrooms were European (read small) but the rooms were clean, had a small TV and were close to the metro station. Enjoy

Sue, <BR>Just found another website dedicated to "budget" travel. <BR>Hope it proves useful to you. If it does, spread the word, please. <BR> <BR>http://www.go.to/budget-travel

Hi Sue and group! Thanks Helpful and David for the mention of my website. David's right, I have a complete list of hostels (not youth-hostels, but "hostales" in Spanish) in Madrid which have websites @ http://www.MadridMan.com/madridhostels.html . <BR> <BR>I just got back (in October) from a great 3-week trip, MAINLY to try out and visit the hostels in my favorite city. My favorites, as usual, are Hostal Lopez, Dulcinea, Chelo, and Aresol, but there are many wonderfully clean, inexpensive, and perfectly-located hostels in Madrid. <BR> <BR>I also have a message board dedicated ONLY to Spain called MadridMan's Spain Message Board @ http://www.MadridMan.com/bbs.html and there's LOTS of discussion about lodging in Madrid and throughout Spain. <BR> <BR>Not sure if you're traveling alone or with another, if you're looking for a single or double, but I think ALL of the hostel links I have listed are below $50 for a single. In fact, there are a couple hotels, centrally located, which are right around (or less!) than $50/night. Check out Hotel Plaza Mayor @ http://www.h-plazamayor.com (next to...umm... The Plaza Mayor!) & Hotel Carlos V @ http://www.hotelcarlosv.com (next to the Puerta del Sol). <BR> <BR>I haven't heard of the two hotels you've two ho(s)tels you mention. Have you checked to see if they have websites? Go to http://www.HotelSearch.com to find out. <BR> <BR>Have a great time in Madrid and Spain!! I'm sure you'll make a lifetime's worth of memories. 8-) <BR> <BR>Saludos, MadridMan <BR>@ http://www.MadridMan.com