I may be going to Madrid & Seville in October/November and never having been there and not knowing anyone who has been there, I'd love to have your suggesgtions for hotels and which areas I should look in.

Single female, don't need luxury, but like everyone would like it clean and safe. I would prefer not to pay more than $150 US dollars. Is that realistic?

As some of you know may remember, my original plan is to go to Venice, Salzburg and Prague, leaving Sept 5, but as I mentioned in another email, I work for AT&T and our union may or may not go on strike at any time. We think it will be resolved in mid-august, but no guarantees, if the strike happens during my original dates, I either cannot go at all or if it happens while I'm in Europe, I would have to return within 24 hours...not easy to do and very expensive. Therefore, if no decision has been made by Sept 5, I'm leaning towards not going. I could still go later but I would miss the Venice Regata and due to weather, probably couldn't go to Eagle's nest while in Salzburg. My best friend pointed out that if I go to my original destinations and not be able to do what I had planned, I will feel like trip wasn't as good. She suggested I then go to another location, with no plans that I wouldn't feel I missed out on and the weather should still be mild in October / November...and Spain seems like a good option. (last week's Bachelorette episode (my summer guilty pleasure) is responsible for thinking about Spain ).

I'm hoping that by October/November the strike will be settled or Spain won't be an option either.... Anyway, thought I'd explain why the last minute planning and why I've got 2 trips in the planning.

I appreciate any of your input on Madrid & Seville, also would Barcelona be better than Seville? From the search I have done on both cities so far, Seville seems to be a city I would like better, but I'm still open. I'll be buying a travel book about Spain this week, but what is even better than a book? Fodorites!!!

Anyone? nothing?

We spent a week recently at Hotel Preciados in Madrid. I believe it would easily be in your price range. It was very clean, in a safe area, and the staff were over-the-top helpful and friendly. Breakfast in Spanish hotels is usually not included in the price and they charge an exorbitant amount if you choose to have it there. So we just made our way each morning to a different little cafe and had a small breakfast, in anticipation of a main meal during the early afternoon.

Not been (yet) to Seville so can't help you with that. Good luck.

you'll love sevilla and the climate's lovely in the autumn. Loads of hotels would suit - try hotelamadeussevilla.com it's quirky, musical (of course), goiod value and has a great location. check out tripadvisor.com for reviews.

Everybody..well ALMOST everybody, is probably going to insist you stay in the Barrio Santa Cruz area of Seville.

yes, it is very atmospheric but wherever you stay try to make it as close to the cathedral as you can, especially if you are on foot.

thank you -- any ideas on Madrid?

This feels rather weird planning a trip as a plan B only...but if my original plans for Venice, Salzburg, Prague end up working, I'll just have the 2010 trip planned out...because the more I check into Spain, the more it sounds quite appealing

We enjoyed our stay in Madrid at Hostal Triana, @ Calle de la Salud 13.

In Seville we liked Hotel Alcantara @ Ximenez de Enciso 28.

Both are basis, clean and inexpensive. I prefer to save on lodging so I can spend more on experiences.

I agree with the suggestion to check tripadvisor.com for lodging reviews.

Thank you - I will check the hotels suggested and have started looking through Trip Advisor to see what's out there.

This would be an excellent time to go to both Madrid and Sevilla; off the tourist season and still predominantly nice weather and temperature. Should give you an ideal opportunity to experience two fascinating cities that are very Spanish, yet quite different.

In Sevilla:
These places are good options in the Barrio de Santa Cruz:
http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...8f44f56727812e

http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...8f44f56727812e

Many would prefer to stay in the central and not that touristy area just north of Barrio de Santa Cruz or in the bustling Triana district across the river. Check out places and reviews on the informative and safe site booking.com

Madrid:
In Madrid, I think the area around Plaza Santa Ana is perfect; close to attractions such as Plaza Mayor, the museums, Retiro park, the Royal castle etc. Besides, you will find loads of excellent tapas bars in the area. It is also close to what many madrileños consider the city's best tapas district around Calle Cava Baja in La Latina.

If you go to Sevilla, I would recommend you get this book about Andalucía. Might make you want to come back and explore more of this fascinating region.
http://www.michaeljacobs.co.uk/andalucia.html

I stayed at the ME Madrid (sometimes called the ME Madrid Reina Victoria or the ME Melia) on the Plaza Santa Ana in early June and was very happy with it. Rooftop bar. Rain shower. Centrally located. Not sure what the rates might be now -- I think we paid $200/night. There is also a great restaurant right outside the entrance called Lateral. Have the mushroom quesadillas!

Here are some less pricy options close to Plaza Santa Ana/Puerta del Sol in Madrid:
http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...8f44f56727812e
http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...8f44f56727812e

I'll be staying here in August:
http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...hotel_currency

My sister and I stayed at the Hotel Plaza Mayor last summer in Madrid, and we were very happy there. It's right in the historic center of the city (a stone's throw from the Plaza Mayor itself), and the front desk staff was really great. The rooms are basic, but clean and there is AC and hot water. The hotel is in an old building, plenty of character. There is a breakfast buffet available ( 7 euros I think). The price is much less than $150 a night for a single.

thank you! thank you! IF the unions' contract are settled in time for my original trip,(today one of the 5 districts came to a tentative agreement - seems like good news - but don't want to get too excited about it yet) I'm definitely going to Spain in 2010, the more I look at everything you've all written, the more I wonder, why didn't I think about visiting Spain before?!?!?

Do any of you have some of your Spain pictures on line that I could go and see?

Not my videos, but these glimpses should give you an idea of the atmosphere:

Casa Anselma in Calle Pagés del Corro in the Triana district in Sevilla: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34OB1o_JoWI

Tapas in Madrid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR51bHksveM

Madrid photo gallery
http://www.panoramio.com/map/#lt=40....98&z=4&k=2&a=1

What's on in Madrid
www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do

Here you go...

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/nV4Zx9ca

Kimhe
Many would prefer to stay in the central and not that touristy area just north of Barrio de Santa Cruz or in the bustling Triana district across the river. Check out : What area is this? Does it have a name? Are you saying this might be a good place to stay instead of Plaza Santa Ana?

johnb
In Sevilla, this area would be San Eloy, San Lorenzo, Alameda de Hércules. We've stayed in Hostal Museo near the Museo de Bellas Artes and thought that was a nice base off the most beaten track and just fine, 10-15 min interesting walk to the Cathedral: http://www.booking.com/hotels/hotel/...-museo.en.html
The Triana district is across the river, but still central. For a special occasion, I would nevertheless consider the beautiful Barrio Santa Cruz (touristy, but still Sevillian). These are good options:
http://www.hotelsimonsevilla.com/ind...imon?Itemid=60
or
http://www.casasypalacios.com/index.php?lang=en

In Madrid, around Plaza Santa Ana is right on spot; you could choose from a wide range of low-key hostals to the best hotels and be right in the middle of the jazz and flamenco clubs, the museums, great plazas, the parks (Retiro, Las Vistillas, Casa del Campo) and the tapas bars on your doorstep or in the nearby La Latina area (around Calle Cava Baja).

Dear kImhe, thanks for helping me and other travelers! Your better then a book !