Thanks for all the hotel info and checking. You're the best. Thought maybe I should start a new thread for a Salamanca question.
Is anyone familiar with Hotel Alameda Palace in Salamanca? or Hotel Salamanca Plaza Mercado, which appears to have changed name to "Room Mate Vega"?

The Alameda Palace is a 5-star luxury hotel. Reservations are handled through a booking site called HOTUSAHOTELS.

The Vega has indeed become a Room Mate Hotel, but it's not quite in the same category as the Alameda Palace.

Barbara,
I'm familiar with the Plaza Mercado now the Room Mate. Great location right around the corner from the Plaza Mayor. The Room Mate chain hotels are minimalist, designer done, very hip places that appeal to young (and not so young) travelers who want contemporary style on a budget. It's an extremely popular chain that gets good reviews for the solid product it delivers for the money. Rates include free buffet breakfast (served until noon in some places) and free Wi-Fi.

The Room Mate hotels in Madrid, the Mario, Laura, Alicia and Oscar, are extremely popular-I've toured them all. They plan to open one soon in NY (called Grace) and in Buenos Aires.

Just stayed in the Alamada Palace in May. A very nice hotel with beautiful antiques and very good service. A park just across the street and in walking distance of the cathedrals and the Plaza Mayor. Really enjoyed my stay there. You will find my writeup of the hotel on Trip Advisor. I would definitely stay there again. Don't know about the other hotel.

Thanks for your help, Maribel, Robert and maryanne1. We've decided we'll go with Room Mate Vega and apply the savings to a fabulous meal.