We have the opportunity to go to Madrid later this week, and although I have found some very good last minute offers on hotels, I need to know the following:

1. When Expedia says a hotel is "air conditioned", in Madrid, which will be in the 90's, is it actually comfortable in the room?

2. From what I can tell, staying near the Plaza Mayor or near the Prado would be great--do any of you have any caveats about those places?

3. I know the bus is cheap from the airport, but how much is a cab to the city center?

Thanks, one and all for any advice. I did do a search, and did not find what I needed right away, and as this is all last minute and very rushed I really, really appreciate any and all advice!

THANK YOU!

www.venere.com now lists a substantial number of Madrid properties, and you know availability immediately.

Second, check out the very good answer from Maribel (or search on other postings she has made) - - on this recent thread about "boutique hotels" - - http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34440322

Finally, you might benefit from asking this question on www.madridman.com as well.

Best wishes,

Rex

I prefer area near the Prado, as so many wonderful museums are within walking distance, including the Real Academia San Fernando, which few tour groups, if any, visit. Tapas at nearby Plaza Santa Ana. I have found great last minute rates at Expedia or Orbitz for Villa Real Hotel and even the Palace.
I think a cab may run 40 Euros.

allovereurope,

1. About a/c:
The comfort level of a/c depends on the hotel and whether there's central air of the modern variety , as in chain hotels (the AC, Sol Meliá, Green, Hesperia, High Tech, H10 and NH do a great job with a/c!) or individual units (mostly of ancient vintage!).
In the many 90+ degree days I've had in Madrid, I've been most comfortable in one of the hotels belonging to the groups mentioned above.

2. the location:
I also much prefer the area close to pretty Castellana Blvd and the Prado or secondly, the area around the beautiful (particularly at night) Plaza del Oriente, where you'll find the Teatro Real, Madrid's opera house, and the Royal Palace.

3. taxis from Barajas to downtown:
If your taxi driver is honest and doesn't take you the "circuitous" route, your fare to your downtown hotel should be no more than 25 euros, including the supplement. However, there have been many complaints from tourists about fare gouging. I've read them here, and they've been addressed on www.madridman and multimadrid.
Please do yourself a favor and look at the "Taxi Smarts" section at http://www.multimadrid.com/practical...transports.htm
The webmaster, who lives on the Plaza Mayor, does a commendable job informing tourists of possible scams. As he states, a taxi fare should never run more than 25 euros.
Also pick up a city govt. brochure at the info booth at the airport, "Public Transport from Airport to City Center" and have it in your hand when entering your taxi. I have one here from '02, and they list the "aproximate fare in normal traffic conditions from airport to downtown" as 17-18 euros, not 40!
There is a 4 euro supplement for the airport run but NO supplement for luggage (eliminated in '02).
My highest fare in heavy mid-morning traffic has been 17, but to a Salamanca district (closer) hotel rather than from downtown. Ask for a "recibo", an official receipt before exiting.
Or simply email the folks at www.aerocity.com and reserve a place on their shuttle, or just go to their booth outside door 2 of international terminal 1. The fare for 1-3 passengers is 17 euros and 20 for 4.

Hope this helps to answer your questions, and have a great time this week. Hope the heat diminishes for you!

To be central to everything in Madrid (as in an easy walk), the Sol/Callao/Gran Via triangle can be beaten. It's probably home to a numerical majority of Madrid's hotels, and is a very lively area day and night.
There are three metro stations within 3 blocks of each other, and from there you can walk to everything in central Madrid. (Plaza Mayor is 2 blocks away)
I stayed at Hotel Carlos V, which was a block from Puerta del Sol. Nice hotel, big (if bland) rooms and a great breakfast room. The air conditioner kept the room quite cool (perhaps too cool) in the 97-degree heat of late June.

That should read "can't be beaten" in my 1st paragraph. Lo siento!