Anyone recently stayed at Petit Palace Santa Barbara/Madrid or Barcelona Princess?

Need mid size hotel in Madrid and Barcelona for August trip near all attractions.

Neither is centrali located.
In Madrid ,Sol is central
In Barcelona, Placa Catlunya.

Look for hotels near by.

We are big fans (4 times) of Hotel Europa in Madrid. Right at Porto del Sol

You do not need to stay in Sol in Madrid or Plaça de Catalunya in Barcelona to be centrally located. There are dozens of great hotels within a 20 to 25-minute walk that are far better than anything you'll find at these centralize locations. Of course, it all depend on your budget.

The Petit Palace Santa Barbara may be listed as a 4-star, but it's hardly in the same class as true 4-star properties in Madrid (ME Madrid Reina Victoria, Hotel Preciados, Lope de Vega Hotel, etc.). It's the same with the Barcelona Princess, but then it comes down to what are you looking for.

Fmpden
So glad you like Hotel Europa. We will be there in May.

<<near all attractions>>

Do you realize that Madrid is larger than Chicago and Barcelona is the size of Philadelphia? You won't find a hotel "near all attractions."

Of course, if you listed out what attractions you're most interested in seeing, a location in each city would be easier to suss out.

Of course, there are many hotels located away from the very center of Madrid and Barcelona.
For the first time visitor it might be helpful to at least know where the center is.

thanks for the info and where the "center" is in Madrid, will then look for hotels. I want a moderate priced hotel room in both cities that we can walk to museums, restaurants, convenient to the metro. Just unfamiliar with the country as a whole.

Having a better idea of your budget would help much better than a "moderate priced hotel".

The old hotel El Prado used to be very nice and comfortable, but since being taken over by Ibis, even though it's centrally located, is not somewhere I would recommend. Cheap, but just a little too basic for my taste.

If moderate priced hotel means around 100€ for a double, these are two great value options in very central locations in both Madrid and Barcelona:

Hotel Plaza Mayor in Madrid: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-mayor.en.html

About the area:
The hotel is next door to majestic Plaza Mayor: http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-mayor.html
Plaza Santa Ana is 3 mins walk away: http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Banys Orientals in Barcelona: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/

About the area: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

You should also be aware that the Veranos de la Villa (Summer in the city) Festival in Madrid goes on through all of July and August. Top national and international artists every night at scenes around town. The outdoor scene in the Sabatini Gardens just outside the Royal Palace is spectacular. Rock, pop, blues, theater, dance, zarzuela, flamenco. Have had some great concert experiences here with some of the world's finest flamenco artists. About the 2012 edition: http://veranosdelavilla.esmadrid.com/index.php/en/

The 2013 festival goes on from Thursday 27 June to Sunday 1 September.

http://www.esmadrid.com/en/portal.do is always updated about wonderful Madrid.