I have a room booked at the Villa Real, Madrid and although it is hard to ignore their declining rates, I am having difficulty feeling comfortable that this is the quiet, classy hotel described. Trip Advisor posters have recently described it as noisy, in need of cleaning, not up to par, etc.
I also have a room booked for the same rate at the Hesperia Madrid but this is a totally different part of Madrid. Any comments on these two hotels and would you base your hotel picks on trip advisor comments?

Both are excellent hotels. If you have one of Villa Real's great special rates, then by all means go for it.

kakiebell,
I'm also surprised by those recent Trip Advisor reports.
I haven't seen the rooms in a while (they were all to be renovation in a long process, going floor by floor), but I can't imagine that the cleaning isn't up to par in this Derby hotel. But I've now read through all the recent TA reviews, and it honestly doesn't sound so good. I do pay attention to the TA reviews when I see a pattern emerging. That would honestly give me pause. I don't know what's going on there. Hope someone who has stayed there within the last 6 months can give you reassurance.

I've actually stayed at the Hesperia Madrid (in a standard room), which gives you typical 5 star comfort (along with one of Madrid's very top restaurants, Sant Celoni), but it's way up north on the Castellana, beyond the Intercontinental, which I also like and where I've stayed.
Since you'll be doing a couple of nights in the Salamanca neighborhood as well, it just doesn't make much sense to be up that far north and spend that time on metro, bus or taxi back and forth.
Also at the Hesperia Madrid the extras (breakfast et all) come at very high prices which can run up the bill quickly and significantly. We eschewed the breakfast and most incidentals (except for a really pricey "copa" at the Whiskey Bar). I once lived a few blocks away, and I know that the immediate area doesn't have a plethora of good value restaurants or tapas bars-a few, but not like the variety you would have in Las Letras district where the Villa Real is located.

So...in Las Letras,
Have you checked rates for your dates at the Reina Victoria ME by Meliá on Plaza Santa Ana? I do love this hotel, and the very comfortable rooms are really ship-shape-I've seen them recently. There are a few grumbles on TA about noise on the square, but if the rates fall within your range, just ask for an interior room. Great, convenient location for the museum mile.

My second choice in that neighborhood would be the Catalonia Las Cortes but in a superior room (the standards run small). And request the one with a gorgeous frescoed ceiling. The Las Cortes has a very classic decor, it's quiet and lies within easy walking distance of the Art Walk and lots of nice restaurants, tapas bars, just a block or so above the Derby Villa Real.

Just a few thoughts.

Maribel,
Catalonia Las Cortes has a three night minimum and we will be in Madrid two nights coming and one night leaving. ME Reina stays firm with their rates of 199 Euro Standard and 250 Euro deluxe. I have relied on Trip Advisor for all of my vacations so if true, it is sad that the Villa Real is not keeping up their 4 star standards.
Trip advisor does not seem to have a lot of posts for some of the 4-5 star hotels such as the AC Retiro, Hospes, etc. Madrid has been the most difficult city to book so far probably because it is where we will land from our long flight and we will not be in the mood for hammering and parties next door, ha.
Thank you for your advice. I wish that price guaranteed you quality but that is not always the case.

kakiebell,
I don't think TA has many posts about the 5 star Hospes and AC Palacio del Retiro simply because they're not as well known as the classic, very well established "Grande Dame" 5 stars closer to the Prado, the Ritz and Westin Palace. Also their rates remain quite high.

I didn't realize that the Catalonia Las Cortes had that 3 night minimum. It must have that stipulation for particular dates. Does it have to be 3 consecutive days?

Catalonia las Cortes may have a three night minimum for weekends as we are arriving on a Friday and leaving on Sunday. I checked Venere, Booking and other sites and they just say that rooms are unavailable. Catalonia Las Cortes website will let me book for Friday, Saturday and Sunday night but just not the two nights.
I have booked a Superior room at the ME Reina. It has great reveiws recently and so will hope for the best. I have lots of time to see what else comes up but for now will stick with the ME Reina. How does it compare to the Derby Urban?? The website looks nice but comments are that it might be a party hotel. When I get back from my trip, will for sure post a review as you have been so helpful.

Kakiebell,
I much, much prefer the Reina Victoria ME by Melía to the Derby Urban. I've sent clients/ friends to both. The guest rooms at the ME are filled with light, much brighter and more spacious than the darker, more compact standard rooms at the Urban. I just think at the ME they "got it right" in their lengthy renovation. I believe the Urban will look dated in a few years due to its design. And I also think the Urban is more self consciously hip/trendy, and overall, more expensive. So for me, there's no question.

KEEP the Villa Real!! It would be a mistake to move to the Hesperia(how do you lik that as an opinion?)
If you move take the Westin, it is tops.