rita

Has anyone stayed at the Emperatriz in Madrid lately? The website looks lovely but I question the location (around the Castellana) and wonder about exploring Madrid on foot. I cannot seem to find allot of information on this hotel, which tells me to either "stay away" or that it is a hidden gem! Which one is it?

Leslie

Rita, I have the rating book from the Spain Department of Tourism, and it rates the Emperatriz as a 4 star hotel out of a possible 5 stars. It's location is Central. If you look at the Madrid city map, it is in quadrant LL-6.<BR><BR>The website address for the hotel is: www.hotel-emperatriz.com and the email address is [email protected].<BR><BR>I believe that the Spain Department of Tourism is the only entity that determines the official ratings for lodging.

Maribel

rita,<BR>I've known the Emperatriz for years, since the 70's, (stylishly renovated in the mid to late 90's), and I stayed there two summers ago, along with a Fodorite friend and husband whom I met there during our stay. The Emperatriz isn't mentioned in many guidebooks because it is not a "downtown" (Puerta del Sol, Gran Via area)or a "intl business class" hotel, but instead is a "for those in the know" kind of place located further north in the upscale Salamanca residential/shopping district, right off the Castellana, near the Intercontinental, the Park Hyatt, Melia Confort Galgos and the American Embassy. I think it's a lovely small hotel, decorated in a kind of "House and Garden" style, with very attractive marble entry, cozy reading lounge around the corner with fireplace and very pretty dining room. Right after its designer renovation, it was featured in a travel article in the NY Times. During the week it attracts a sophisticated, well-dressed, well-heeled, primarily Spanish crowd, and in July-Aug. it has good value wkd rates. I stayed there for both sentimental reasons (used to live just 2 blks away-my former stomping ground) and because I wanted to try one of their sixth floor rooms with private terrace, which must be reserved far in advance. I stayed for 2 nights, first in a large interior double with very smart and large marble bath, then moved to the terrace room, which was much smaller, and my particular terrace was close to the bustling Castellana and temps soared to 100 that day, so I really didn't use it other than for Sun. morn. brk. I actually preferred the interior double, but I think the suites are quite nice. But it's a long, half hr. walk down the Castellana from there to the Puerta del Sol and Old Madrid, but you can also take a bus from the adjacent Plaza Emilio Castelar or a taxi (plentiful and inexpensive). I didn't return last summer, because we found the Barrio de Salamanca suites just 1 blk away, that gave us tons of room (separate l.room, bedroom, marble bath) at a great intro rate about $100 last July (better value). There are fabulous little restaurants/tapas bars at the end of the block, to the right of the Emperatriz, on the corner of tony Calle Serrano-La Ursula, La Merceria, Punto Cero, Generall, Meson 5 Jotas, Hevia and the super popular, fashionable Jose Luis, a good Sunday bet. While I don't recommend the Emperatriz for a short first visit, when you'll want your hotel within easy walking distance of the museum triangle, the Plaza Mayor and Old Madrid, it is a nice, quiet, far less hectic, attractive, "hidden gem" haven for a return trip or longer stay, if you've already seen the major sites of downtown and want to shop and relax-the area has the city's best shopping in the Serrano, Ortega & Gasset, Claudio Coello area.<BR>Hope this helps.

rita

Maribel, thank you for all your wonderful information on the Emperatriz. It sounds like it is a "hidden gem" and it is exactly what I am looking for. I'm grateful for your review.<BR><BR>Rita

piruli

Way overpriced and out of the way -you'll get tired of taking the metro all day.You need to get get closer to the Puerta del Sol-I love the hotel Liabeny-4 star and Carlos V which was bought by the Best Western chain