Hotel ideas:Madrid,Sevilla,Granada,Valencia & Barcelona & itinerary critic
Feb 20th, 2010, 01:12 AM
#21
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How can somebody not like the location of hotel where street musicians and dancers perform all night in front of it?
Somebody who likes a good night's sleep, for one! Also, I don't like the Barri Gotic area of Barcelona, especially when traveling solo as a woman, and it's a hike from there to the areas I do like.
In a city as big as Barcelona, with such a variety in the feel and safety of the neighborhoods, and given differing reasons for being there and enjoying the city, it really does help to say why you like a hotel. (I'd say the same of Madrid.) A lot of people hearing about the all-night party in front of the hotel would want to know that, even if only to ask for a room without a catehdral view -- but Tripadvisor can fill in on that too.
Somebody who likes a good night's sleep, for one! Also, I don't like the Barri Gotic area of Barcelona, especially when traveling solo as a woman, and it's a hike from there to the areas I do like.
In a city as big as Barcelona, with such a variety in the feel and safety of the neighborhoods, and given differing reasons for being there and enjoying the city, it really does help to say why you like a hotel. (I'd say the same of Madrid.) A lot of people hearing about the all-night party in front of the hotel would want to know that, even if only to ask for a room without a catehdral view -- but Tripadvisor can fill in on that too.
Feb 20th, 2010, 08:01 AM
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As a woman that has traveled by herself in Barcelona, I agree with primeranoche and Lin, I don't care for the Hotel Colon location (although I stayed there with my husband some years ago)if going by myself. I liked staying in Eixample area. The only reason I didn't mentioned my hotel previously , the Atrium Palace, is because it is above the OP's set budget.
Feb 20th, 2010, 09:16 AM
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Agree with Joe4212 on Hotel Casa del Capitel Nazari in Grenada, a really charming hotel & great central walking location for key sites - Alhambra, Cathedral, Albaicin walking distance to many sites, plus many restaurants/wine bars nearby and just around the corner from the Plaza Nueva which has stops for the minibuses that traverse various routes within Grenada.
In Madrid, stayed at Hotel Plaza Mayor, right around the corner from Plaza Mayor. Seemed more European tourists, but very friendly helpful desk staff, reasonably priced and again central to many sites - Plaza, Cathedral etc in one direction, Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza,Reina Sofia Art Museum,Retiro Park the other direction. Many tapas & wine bars, especially in streets south of Plaza Mayor in streets behind Plaza Mayor.
And in Seville, recommend Hotel Puerta de Sevilla, just stayed there last year on a short side trip from Portugal. Just along side the Barrio Santa Cruz, which is wonderful to wander thru, close walking to the Cathedral & Alcazar. Again friendly helpful manager & staff, many restaurants & tapas bars nearby but they recommended great nearby local tapas bars off the beaten tourist trails.
All these we stayed at for good prices, good location & good reviews on TripAdvisor. Also Hotel del Capitel Nazari had a recommendation in NYTimes several years ago - thats how we first discovered it, figuring it would be too expensive but it is not & it is a wonderful find.
We also found we really enjoyed several wine bars, which also have tapas, that Rick Steves recommended in Madrid & Grenada - I don't have his Spain book handy but it is one of the many sources of info I use when planning trips. The wine bars he recommends we found to not be so touristy, smaller & with friendly owners, severs; not the standard tapas but delicious none the less.
Enjoy your trip!
In Madrid, stayed at Hotel Plaza Mayor, right around the corner from Plaza Mayor. Seemed more European tourists, but very friendly helpful desk staff, reasonably priced and again central to many sites - Plaza, Cathedral etc in one direction, Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza,Reina Sofia Art Museum,Retiro Park the other direction. Many tapas & wine bars, especially in streets south of Plaza Mayor in streets behind Plaza Mayor.
And in Seville, recommend Hotel Puerta de Sevilla, just stayed there last year on a short side trip from Portugal. Just along side the Barrio Santa Cruz, which is wonderful to wander thru, close walking to the Cathedral & Alcazar. Again friendly helpful manager & staff, many restaurants & tapas bars nearby but they recommended great nearby local tapas bars off the beaten tourist trails.
All these we stayed at for good prices, good location & good reviews on TripAdvisor. Also Hotel del Capitel Nazari had a recommendation in NYTimes several years ago - thats how we first discovered it, figuring it would be too expensive but it is not & it is a wonderful find.
We also found we really enjoyed several wine bars, which also have tapas, that Rick Steves recommended in Madrid & Grenada - I don't have his Spain book handy but it is one of the many sources of info I use when planning trips. The wine bars he recommends we found to not be so touristy, smaller & with friendly owners, severs; not the standard tapas but delicious none the less.
Enjoy your trip!
Feb 20th, 2010, 09:42 AM
#25
I second the recommendation that you check out the comprehensive free guides at www.maribelsguides.com. This is the best resource I found for planning trips to Spain. Lots of hotel suggestions.
In Madrid, I really liked the hotel and the location for the Hotel Room Mate Alicia, right on the Plaza Santa Ana. It is in a beautifully renovated old building, and the plaza is ringed with cafes and tapas bars, and within easy walking distance of the major museums. The area is lively until very late at night and I felt very safe there.
In Madrid, I really liked the hotel and the location for the Hotel Room Mate Alicia, right on the Plaza Santa Ana. It is in a beautifully renovated old building, and the plaza is ringed with cafes and tapas bars, and within easy walking distance of the major museums. The area is lively until very late at night and I felt very safe there.
Feb 20th, 2010, 10:32 AM
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Hi lyb - Wow, you've gotten a lot of replies! Lots of things to think about. If you're still interested in the hotels I stayed at a few months ago in Cordoba and Toledo as a single traveler, they are as follows:
Cordoba: Hotel Plateros
Pros: Unbelievable cute small hotel. The price for a single room was something like 38 euros with breakfast, and my single room had its own bathroom, was big enough and I had my own set of French doors (no bars across) and small balcony that overlooked a side street that was barely wide enough for cars to pass. (I stayed in room 4.) Not much traffic, not too noisy. The hotel has a completely picturesque patio where you can get tapas and a drink on a nice day, and inside there is a small restaurant if the weather isn't cooperating. They have a cute small resident dog, and if you're there on a Saturday night it seems like all of Cordoba is stopping by for a drink and socializing. I loved it! It was about a 5-minute walk to the Mezquita, and I felt totally safe out at all hours walking those streets. People in Cordoba were friendly and it was fun.
Cons: Management was laissez-faire and as I read I think on Tripadvisor, seemed more interested in the locals in their little pub. But it's okay, just give me the key to my room and that's usually all I need, so it wasn't a problem for me! (Well, except in the morning when they would give me one small cup of coffee with my breakfast and then disappear, because I need at least two cups and maybe three to get the day started off right! So I had to go track them down to get more. Which I did. Choose your battles.) The door handle on my cute French doors was broken but it still locked and if I jiggled it I could work it okay. The hairdryer they advertise is really a wall hand dryer that has a picture of a hairdryer on it. And it's mounted over the sink! I laugh every time I think of the contortions I had to perform to get my head under that thing, it really had no hose or nozzle or anything, just hot air shooting down onto the sink, and as I am a woman who needs to dry her hair, this provided much entertainment value every morning. (I plan to upload my review and photos on Tripadvisor soon so stay tuned for photo!) As I said my room was great, but I could see how it could get noisy in the summer if you had one of those rooms that overlook the patio area (although fun people watching). Also I got tapas one day on the patio and as I said, it was lovely, I was in no hurry, but it literally took the one woman working there almost an hour to bring me my patatas bravas. Don't be in a hurry if you decide to get a snack there!
Bottom line: Would return there in a heart beat...but with my own hairdryer!
Toledo: Hotel Eurico
Pros: Great price (42 euros I think), amazing location, professional staff, room exceptionally clean, really nice big bathroom, view of alcazar and part of cathedral from my room. Everything perfect. Toledo is amazing and I loved wandering those streets at night and felt completely safe. Loved it.
Cons: Can't think of one. Would return here again gladly as well! Wait, I don't remember them offering breakfast. Maybe it was just me, I could have asked, I remember seeing mention of a breakfast room on their website but they never brought it up and neither did I. It was no problem for me though, there are numerous places to choose from right out the front door and I found a great little cafe just down the street so no problem.
Hope this helps!
Cordoba: Hotel Plateros
Pros: Unbelievable cute small hotel. The price for a single room was something like 38 euros with breakfast, and my single room had its own bathroom, was big enough and I had my own set of French doors (no bars across) and small balcony that overlooked a side street that was barely wide enough for cars to pass. (I stayed in room 4.) Not much traffic, not too noisy. The hotel has a completely picturesque patio where you can get tapas and a drink on a nice day, and inside there is a small restaurant if the weather isn't cooperating. They have a cute small resident dog, and if you're there on a Saturday night it seems like all of Cordoba is stopping by for a drink and socializing. I loved it! It was about a 5-minute walk to the Mezquita, and I felt totally safe out at all hours walking those streets. People in Cordoba were friendly and it was fun.
Cons: Management was laissez-faire and as I read I think on Tripadvisor, seemed more interested in the locals in their little pub. But it's okay, just give me the key to my room and that's usually all I need, so it wasn't a problem for me! (Well, except in the morning when they would give me one small cup of coffee with my breakfast and then disappear, because I need at least two cups and maybe three to get the day started off right! So I had to go track them down to get more. Which I did. Choose your battles.) The door handle on my cute French doors was broken but it still locked and if I jiggled it I could work it okay. The hairdryer they advertise is really a wall hand dryer that has a picture of a hairdryer on it. And it's mounted over the sink! I laugh every time I think of the contortions I had to perform to get my head under that thing, it really had no hose or nozzle or anything, just hot air shooting down onto the sink, and as I am a woman who needs to dry her hair, this provided much entertainment value every morning. (I plan to upload my review and photos on Tripadvisor soon so stay tuned for photo!) As I said my room was great, but I could see how it could get noisy in the summer if you had one of those rooms that overlook the patio area (although fun people watching). Also I got tapas one day on the patio and as I said, it was lovely, I was in no hurry, but it literally took the one woman working there almost an hour to bring me my patatas bravas. Don't be in a hurry if you decide to get a snack there!
Bottom line: Would return there in a heart beat...but with my own hairdryer!
Toledo: Hotel Eurico
Pros: Great price (42 euros I think), amazing location, professional staff, room exceptionally clean, really nice big bathroom, view of alcazar and part of cathedral from my room. Everything perfect. Toledo is amazing and I loved wandering those streets at night and felt completely safe. Loved it.
Cons: Can't think of one. Would return here again gladly as well! Wait, I don't remember them offering breakfast. Maybe it was just me, I could have asked, I remember seeing mention of a breakfast room on their website but they never brought it up and neither did I. It was no problem for me though, there are numerous places to choose from right out the front door and I found a great little cafe just down the street so no problem.
Hope this helps!
Feb 20th, 2010, 12:46 PM
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scoz, I'm pleased you too enjoyed the Casa del Capitel Nazari and LunaBella, you will love it.
Entrance to the hotel is a few steps along a small narrow lane then through a huge old door. In front of you is the reception area and old courtyard of this jewel of a place. Security at the hotel is great as that same old door is controlled remotely by reception staff 'after hours'.
I should have mentioned too that breakfast, which was included in our rate was very good plus free tea, coffee and small pastries are available most of the day to all guests.
Again, taking into the location of the hotel, the facilities and the fabulous traditional sometimes quirky style of the rooms, the rates are terrific.
Heck, I wish I was going back.
Joe
Entrance to the hotel is a few steps along a small narrow lane then through a huge old door. In front of you is the reception area and old courtyard of this jewel of a place. Security at the hotel is great as that same old door is controlled remotely by reception staff 'after hours'.
I should have mentioned too that breakfast, which was included in our rate was very good plus free tea, coffee and small pastries are available most of the day to all guests.
Again, taking into the location of the hotel, the facilities and the fabulous traditional sometimes quirky style of the rooms, the rates are terrific.
Heck, I wish I was going back.
Joe
Feb 21st, 2010, 07:53 PM
#29
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I have checking out hotels this weekend, and first, I'm really pleased with the rates, it seems that there is a lot of good options in my price.
In Sevilla, I've gotten a response from Hotel Puerta De Sevilla, a double room for single use, at 74 euros and another hotel, Hotel Alminar, a single for 95 euros...Not only for the difference in the prices, but I'm leaning toward Hotel Puerta.
Since I only sent my requests this late afternoon, California time, I'm actually not expecting many more responses until tomorrow.
I found a small hotel in Barcelona that everyone on Trip Advisors raves about, it's called Hostal L'Antic Espai, if I got it right it's in the Eixample area... any thoughts on that area?
Still working on honing down the itinerary, I've decided to take Valencia out, and due to flight availabilities, I think what I will do is fly into Barcelona, take the train from Barcelona to Sevilla, only 5 hours on the AVE, not so bad, gives a day of rest to my feet
, from Valencia, do a day trip to Cordoba, then go to Granada and spend 2 nights there, then go to Madrid, another 5 hours or so rest for my feet on the train, and spend a day visiting Madrid and a day trip to Toledo. Still work in progress, but now that I've checked out the train schedule, this seems like a good posibility.
I'll welcome any other ideas or suggestions.
In Sevilla, I've gotten a response from Hotel Puerta De Sevilla, a double room for single use, at 74 euros and another hotel, Hotel Alminar, a single for 95 euros...Not only for the difference in the prices, but I'm leaning toward Hotel Puerta.
Since I only sent my requests this late afternoon, California time, I'm actually not expecting many more responses until tomorrow.
I found a small hotel in Barcelona that everyone on Trip Advisors raves about, it's called Hostal L'Antic Espai, if I got it right it's in the Eixample area... any thoughts on that area?
Still working on honing down the itinerary, I've decided to take Valencia out, and due to flight availabilities, I think what I will do is fly into Barcelona, take the train from Barcelona to Sevilla, only 5 hours on the AVE, not so bad, gives a day of rest to my feet
, from Valencia, do a day trip to Cordoba, then go to Granada and spend 2 nights there, then go to Madrid, another 5 hours or so rest for my feet on the train, and spend a day visiting Madrid and a day trip to Toledo. Still work in progress, but now that I've checked out the train schedule, this seems like a good posibility.I'll welcome any other ideas or suggestions.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 04:43 AM
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Below are links to my trip reports from central Spain and Andalucia. I reviewed my hotels and gave links to their websites. They are all in your price range (more or less). The central Spain trip I was solo but not the Andalucia one, though I'd still stay in those same hotels again even if I were solo.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tral-spain.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-report-1.cfm
In Barcelona I stayed at the Hotel Continental on Las Ramblas. I liked the location fine - very central to both the old town and the Exaimple. We walked to everything practically. I am actually going back to Barcelona in two weeks!!! Staying at Hotel Cortes this time because the price is about 25 euros cheaper per night. Can't recommend it yet as I haven't stayed there but TA reviews were good. And it's a block or two off Las Ramblas if that's important to you.
Re your itinerary - while it doesn't look too rushed I'd consider dropping one location (probably Valencia but I haven't been there) and adding the days to the others. You really will only get a "taste" on this trip, but that's ok.
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tral-spain.cfm
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...p-report-1.cfm
In Barcelona I stayed at the Hotel Continental on Las Ramblas. I liked the location fine - very central to both the old town and the Exaimple. We walked to everything practically. I am actually going back to Barcelona in two weeks!!! Staying at Hotel Cortes this time because the price is about 25 euros cheaper per night. Can't recommend it yet as I haven't stayed there but TA reviews were good. And it's a block or two off Las Ramblas if that's important to you.
Re your itinerary - while it doesn't look too rushed I'd consider dropping one location (probably Valencia but I haven't been there) and adding the days to the others. You really will only get a "taste" on this trip, but that's ok.
Feb 22nd, 2010, 10:04 AM
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lincasanova,
Yes, I realize it goes through Madrid, but the flights back from Madrid are better than from Barcelona, and same for flights going to go Barcelona vs Madrid. I realize it's kind of a crazy thing, but I 'think' it will work
Isabel,
I've already taken Valencia out of the schedule, to give myself one more day in Barcelona, because I want to go Montserrat.
Yes, I realize it goes through Madrid, but the flights back from Madrid are better than from Barcelona, and same for flights going to go Barcelona vs Madrid. I realize it's kind of a crazy thing, but I 'think' it will work
Isabel,
I've already taken Valencia out of the schedule, to give myself one more day in Barcelona, because I want to go Montserrat.
Feb 28th, 2010, 04:00 PM
#37
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It's all set! Yeah, I've got my hotels booked, itinerary set..now I'll have to do is keep on reading about the cities and of course, watch the airfares!
Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona - staying at Hostal L'Antic Espai
Day 2 - Barcelona
Day 3 - Barcelona
Day 4 - Day trip to Montserrat
Day 5 - Barcelona
Day 6 - AVE train from Barcelona to Sevilla (feet get a rest!)- staying at Hotel Puerta de la Sevilla
Day 7 - Sevilla
Day 8 - day trip to Cordoba
Day 9 - Sevilla
Day 10 - train from Sevilla to Granada - staying at Hotel Puerta de las Granadas
Day 11 - Granada
Day 12 - train from Granada to Madrid - staying at Room Mate Mario
Day 13 - Madrid
Day 14 - Madrid or day trip to Toledo, if I decide I want to see more of Madrid, I'll skip Toledo
Day 15 - I fly back home
Thank you everyone for your suggestion and input, it did really help a lot!
The more I learn about Spain the more I'm excited..and to think that a mundane show like The Bachelorette from my last season is what made me decide to go to Spain...see there is more to those shows than silliness -
Day 1 - Arrive in Barcelona - staying at Hostal L'Antic Espai
Day 2 - Barcelona
Day 3 - Barcelona
Day 4 - Day trip to Montserrat
Day 5 - Barcelona
Day 6 - AVE train from Barcelona to Sevilla (feet get a rest!)- staying at Hotel Puerta de la Sevilla
Day 7 - Sevilla
Day 8 - day trip to Cordoba
Day 9 - Sevilla
Day 10 - train from Sevilla to Granada - staying at Hotel Puerta de las Granadas
Day 11 - Granada
Day 12 - train from Granada to Madrid - staying at Room Mate Mario
Day 13 - Madrid
Day 14 - Madrid or day trip to Toledo, if I decide I want to see more of Madrid, I'll skip Toledo
Day 15 - I fly back home
Thank you everyone for your suggestion and input, it did really help a lot!
The more I learn about Spain the more I'm excited..and to think that a mundane show like The Bachelorette from my last season is what made me decide to go to Spain...see there is more to those shows than silliness -
Mar 4th, 2010, 05:35 PM
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As I'm just planning our first trip to Spain (we've been to Italy 3 times and ready for a change) in April, this has been so very helpful.
Question: we fly into Madrid and I wanted your opinions on whether or not it might be a good idea to home base in Toledo instead and day trip for one day into Madrid.
Also, would Seville be a good home base for some of the charming hill towns?
And, lastly, it sounds like train or bus will get us around just fine?
Question: we fly into Madrid and I wanted your opinions on whether or not it might be a good idea to home base in Toledo instead and day trip for one day into Madrid.
Also, would Seville be a good home base for some of the charming hill towns?
And, lastly, it sounds like train or bus will get us around just fine?
Jul 11th, 2010, 06:59 PM
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Just got back from Barcelona, Madrid, and Toledo, in May. We were very happy with the Prado Hotel in Madrid, and del Cardinal Hotel in Toldeo, and I would go back to either by myself, any time. We stayed in an apartment in Barcelona and, while I would stay off the Rambla, I would choose the Barri Gotic area again ... it's so convenient and central.
