Anyone have any info to help with our decision. Is location and calibre of hotel ok?I do have a reservation at a Holiday Inn but would like to find something with a bit more character but not too pricey as we need 2 rooms as travelling with our 2 boys.The H.I. we have is on Plaza Carlos Bertrans so if anyone has any info re; this hotel I would appreciate it.Thanks.

We stayed at Hotel Europa last year and would not stay there again. It would have been fine when I was travelling as a student, but the rooms were too small and bed was too soft and it was overall a bit "worn." But the location is good and it is inexpensive. (I know, it looks good on their website, but I've had other hotels that look good much better on the website than in reality.)

We stayed at the Arosa in April and though it was good value and well located for Puerta del Sol, Gran Via, etc. It's just a couple of minutes walk from the Europa.

It's a Best Western franchise, but has a lot more character than the usual "chain" hotel. We booked it through Best Western's website and paid about 100 euros a night for a double.

Don't know about The Holiday Inn, so I can't compare the two, but we were at the Hotel Europa for 4 nights last month. Had mixed feelings about it. We had just come from one of our favorite hotels in Segovia and this was a big change from the NICE room we had there; compared to that room, the Europa was a real disappointment, almost precipitating a hotel change. Not sure how much - if at all - the rooms vary in quality within the hotel.
Positive: Location was good, right on the Puerta del Sol; price was low; it's restaurant was convenient for a quick breakfast or snack before hitting the sights; the outdoor seating was a good place to people-watch. Room was quiet when the windows were closed, and not too loud even when they were open. English speaking front desk staff. Beds were comfortable for us.
Negative: The room was kind of grungy - not dirty - just grungy and very stark; closet was MINISCULE (and for 4 nights we really wanted to unpack, but there was no room); they used SO much furniture polish I swear my clothes STILL smell like it; towels weren't too plush, and our shower was pretty weak; doors weren't too stout and the walls were thin.
The low price was what kept us there and after 4 days we were glad to have stayed in that particular area, but the room itself was like being in a Motel 6. Since we (don't know about you) go to see the town/experience the culture, the hotel amenities are not that important to us as we spend little time in the room. We prefer a nice room, but it doesn't HAVE to be too fancy. With Hotel Europa you get what you pay for and if you don't want to pay too much, it's fine. Just don't expect the Ritz.
Hope that helped. Enjoy Madrid.

DOCK,
The Holiday Inn is located way up in the northern business district, off Calle Orense, quite a distance from downtown and a good 20 min. ride by bus. The metro at Nuevos Ministerios requires lots of walking within the station. I know the area well because family lives up there, and I've also rented an apartment in that very area.
It wouldn't be at all handy for you for easy touring, and certainly it isn't within walking distance of any important sightseeing. I wouldn't choose it.

Thanks for the info. I took the advice I received about my other hotels and have Juderia for Seville and as I do not want to make an error in Madrid I will follow your advice and look around for other hotels. Thanks a bunch everyone.

DOCK,
Don't know what internet discount hotel booking sites you usually use, but for Madrid, I've had good luck with Expedia (for their special value rates), www.hotelbook.com and www.utell.com (for their internet rates), also www.hotelserch.com For July only, I look at the special offers on
www.travel-in-madrid.com They handle the nice Intur Palacio San Martin and have a great rate for the 4 star Lope de Vega in July.

Once again thanks Maribel. I use Asia Travel they have hotels worldwide, only place I got Juderia at 117euros including breakfast,Utell, Expedia, hotels.com, and venere.For Sol Melia hotels I find their own website has the hotels as cheap and at times cheaper than others. For July have Tryp Capitol at 50 euros. i din not know about travel-in-madrid and I booked for Lope De Vega at 96.14 incl breakfast, cheapest I have seen, so thanks.I noticed you have recommended this hotel on numerous occasions.If you think Tryp Capitol is a better choice let me know if you can.The canadian dollar is not as strong as US dollar and as we have our kids with us and need 2 rooms everywhere I appreciate any info you have.I have noticed the wealth of info you and Olga have and am surprised you have not published a travel book.

Dock, to help you with locations, there's an interactive map that I found very useful whilst planning my trip to Madrid.

http://fotos.qdq.com/x/home_madrid.htm

You type in the name and number of the street for your hotel, or whatever, and it takes you there on the map and shows you a photo of the building. You can then click along the street to view the surrounding area, or work out how to get to the places you want to visit.

Hi DOCK,
The Lope de Vega is a great choice. You'll like it. A nice hotel at a great rate!
Have a great time!