Hotel in Madrid: Plaza Major?
 

We have one night in Madrid (and no, we're not able to change it and make it longer). We arrive around 5ish and have an 8 AM flight. So we figured we would get into the city centre and grab a room and then enjoy an evening of tapas and strolling around.

My understanding is that Plaza Major is the happening area (if I'm wrong, please correct me) so we would like to stay there.

We would need a hotel with AC & elevator. I have sticker shock from my Rome hotel prices, so I'm hoping Madrid is cheaper! Is it possible to come in around 100 euros for a night?

Would appreciate any and all suggestions...thank you!

The Hotel Plaza Mayor (look on Venere.com) is perfect. Right off the square. Comforable, clean accomodations. Rates should fit your budget

Thank ny! I will take a look at that hotel.

The Hotel Plaza Mayor (official website: http://www.h-plazamayor.com ). Here, you can get a basic double for about 90€. The location is great and housed in a historic building.

The Plaza Mayor IS Madrid's main plaza but I wouldn't classify it by itself as "the place to be". It is pretty, that's for sure, and lots of old bars with beautiful wood-and-brass decoration, many still have mature, Spanish wait staff. You'll find LOTS (and I mean *LOTS*!!!) of bars between it and the Puerta del Sol and between it and, say, Plaza de Santa Ana. The latter, Plaza Santa Ana, I'd say, is an even MORE "happening place" in the summer, lots of terrace bars in the summer, lots of tourists but a smaller percentage there than in the Plaza Mayor.

Also, take a look at Hostal Adria Santa Ana (official website: http://www.hostaladriasantaana.com/ ). There, just off the Plaza de Santa Ana, you get a beautiful new room (this "hostal" was inaugurated in 2007, I believe) for about 70-80€. The only downside is that they're on the 3rd floor (that's the 4th floor by American standards) and there's no elevator. Their "sister hostal", the Hostal Adriano (official website: http://www.hostaladriano.com/ ) is closer to the Plaza Mayor, has an elevator, and the rooms are nearly as nice. Plus, it's a bit cheaper than the Hostal Adria Santa Ana. The Hostal Adriano always gets rave reviews, too. I've visited these two "hostales" but never stayed there.

Saludos, MadridMan @ you-know-where!

I've stayed in Hostal Adria Santa Ana and would have no hesitation in recommending it. Despite its proximity to Plaza Santa Ana with its myriad of bars and restaurants it's surprisingly quiet.

The area is super fun - much more lively than Plaza Mayor with lots of authentic places to eat and drink.

Have a great time.

twiggers:

I stayed at the Plaza Mayor as a solo traveler in 2005. For your purposes, a one-night stay in a central location at a reasonable price, the hotel should be ideal. It's a hundred yards or so from Plaza Mayor itself. If you want an excellent and convenient restaurant, I would suggest Los Galayos, which is within the plaza arcade. I ate there twice. Phone: 91-366-30-28. Or you might try Sobrino de Botin, which is within walking distance of the hotel. Founded in 1725, it's a place Hemingway frequented. Phone: 91-366-30-26.

I stayed in Hotel Plaza Mayor some months ago and would warmly recommend it. All you need and great location. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-mayor.en.html

You are 2 mins away from one of the best tapas areas in Madrid, in and around Calle Cava Baja. Lots of great places, but I can especially recommend innovative Txirimiri (C/del Humilladero, 6) and traditional Casa Revuelta (C/de Latoneros, 3).
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ri-Madrid.html
http://11870.com/pro/casa-revuelta

You are also four minutes away from experiencing world class flamenco. Madrid is arguably the flamenco capital of the world. Although the art form comes from the South (Andalucía), everybody has to conquer Madrid to get to the top. On their way there, or as an opportunity to try out new things and get an up close audience, many of them work the top tablaos. Casa Patas and Cardamomo, are among the best and very close to Hotel Plaza Mayor.
http://www.casapatas.com/
http://www.cardamomo.es/

And you would be even closer to the best jazz venue in town,
Café Central (Plaza del Ángel, 10). Live performances from the best artists every night at 10 (changing every week). Entrance 11€. Good food also. http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

Thank you so very much everyone!!!!

We'll be there on a Sunday night...does that matter? I mean, here in the US everything is dead on Sundays. Will there be Flamenco shows on a Sunday?

It won't matter, no. The flamenco tablaos in Madrid are open about 364 days a year - including Sundays so there won't be any problem. My favorite tablao is the Corral de la Morería (OFFICAL website: http://www.CorralDeLaMoreria.com ) and is located not far from the Royal Palace. It's kind of pricey, however, at about 40-43€ per person for just the show and a drink. On Sundays, you'll find A LOT of bars open, particularly in the summer.

Saludos, MadridMan @ you-know-where!!

If you post which Sunday you are in Madrid, I can recommend which tablao to go to based on who's performing. No performance at Casa Patas on Sundays. For example, the last Sunday of this month world class dancers Marco Flores and Olga Pericet perform at Cardamomo.

If Plaza Santa Ana interests you - I prefered it to Mayor for the reasons mentioned already - I recommend the Hotel Vinci Soho on Calle del Prado. It is about 5 min walk (if that) from Plaza Santa Ana. I think it meets your budget criteria, but I am not sure about the AC. I was then in November and AC wasn't needed, so I don't think I noticed whether they had it.

Arriving around 5, you'll have time to check into your hotel and wander around a bit - I think the Prado museum is open later, but I am not sure about the other sites. Plenty to see just wandering though. Then around 9 or 10, go out for dinner and drinks. Madrid is a great city and because people eat and stay out late, you'll have time to actually experience it with your short stay.

Thanks november! I'm not sure which Plaza to stay near...is one better than the other? We just wanted to be in the heart of things to try and have a nice experience.

kimhe: We'll be there 5/29/11....still quite a long ways away.

How late do the flamenco shows start?

Plaza Santa Ana is not esspecially large, but it is lined with restaurants and bars - pretty much all easy-going places with friendly people. And plenty of outside seating. It has a really great vibe. I was there by myself part of the time and felt totally comfortable. The crowd seemed to be late-20s to mid-40s range - so not party-central, but still reasonably young.

Plaza Mayor is cool too, but I just didn't care for it as much - not sure why, but the vibe didn't seem as friendly. Maybe Mayor gets more tourists than Santa Ana - not sure. Maybe someone else has more insight, but I didn't spend as much time in Mayor because Santa Ana just seemed nicer.

Puerta del Sol is really in the middle of things and is also a plaza, although MUCH more busy than either Mayor or Santa Ana - Sol is where I got on and off the metro many times because it isn't far from Santa Ana. There are street perfomers there and lots of people hanging around, but it isn't the cafe-lined type of plaza that you are probably interested in. Good to check out though - you'd probably have to work hard not to walk through it - LOL. I must have walked through Sol 20+ times that week.

I didn't check out any Flamenco, but I did go on a tapas and wine walking tour one evening, which was really fun - definitely recommend it. http://www.walksofspain.com/

On Sundays the flamenco show at Cardamomo starts at 21h and the ones at Corral de la Morería at 10 and midnight. I'll come back to you when the programme for your Sunday is fixed. Will check out a few other options as well.

Here's a clip from Cardamomo including Belén López, one of the absloute most promising female flamenco dancers in the world today: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJXNsxHz20

Santa Ana, Mayor and Sol are very close (3 min walking between them). I would recommend Plaza Santa Ana on a late Sunday evening in May: http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Hostal Macarena next to Plaza Mayor was great for about $125 usd, has elevator but note sure about ac.

Near Plaza Santa Ana, sometimes Hotel Prado offers very good rates. Even if you stay near Plaza Santa Ana I encourage you to take a walk to Plaza Mayor. IMO is one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain and it shows best at night!

Forgot to add, it takes 15 mins(or less) to walk from Plaza Santa Ana to Plaza Mayor.

Thank you SO much everyone!!! I will look into hotels at both plazas. I think seeing a flamenco show would be exceptional and a great way to spend the evening and get a bit of a "flavor" of Spain!

Kim: I really appreciate it! The dancers are amazing!

Plaza Santa Ana is 300 meters from Plaza Mayor. Both are 200 meters from Puerta del Sol. Not a big deal locationwise which plaza you stay closest to.

Thank you kim!! I think I'll try and book the room today.