Lodging in Madrid
 

Looking for recommendations for modest accommodations in Madrid, close to downtown. Safe and clean are our priorities - price range between 50-100 EUR/night. We've looked on "bookings.com" and reviews are sporadic.

There will be here too. everyone has there own opinion each will be different. Booking is considered quite good as the reviewer must had stayed at the hotel.

Here are three good options in the middle of everything, close to Plaza Mayor, Plaza Santa Ana and Puerta del Sol. I've recently staued in both Persal and Plaza Mayor, and my brother stayed in low cost Hostal Santa Cruz 50 meters from Plaza Mayor and was very happy (Hostal is not the same as hostel, your own room, your own bathroom/toilet etc.). All are relatively basic and good value. Excellent location, close to some of the best tapas areas in the city, the major museums, bars, nightlife etc. http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Santa Cruz: http://www.hostalsantacruz.com/IN/
Persal: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/persalmadrid.en.html
Plaza Mayor: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-mayor.en.html

also look at www.booking.com.. not bookings.com

www.trivago.com

www.dhr.com

www.solmelia.com

www.rumbo.es

The "downtown" area of Madrid could be considered that around Puerta del Sol. Your best bet for modest accomodations would be to look at "hostales" or albergues" around this area. These lodging styles are very favored by students so you take a bit of risk as far as level of noise. That said, strongly recommend this website for the best information on the type of lodging you are looking for: http://www.madridman.com/madridlodging.html Steve (aka "Madrid Man") is an American living in Madrid (periodically) and one of the first people on the Web who truly developed a focused website for Madrid travel. He knows Madrid better than most.

A word of Warning: stay away from any hostal/lodging on Calle de la Montera. While this street is a casual, commercial street during the day, it is the place for prostitures, drug sales, and alternate lifestyles at night. Quite entertaining to walk by (I have done it; I was w/hubby and left alone), but not the place to be by yourself or sleep....

Last two years I have been able to get a great rate at Hotel Prado, a 3 stars hotel near Plaza Santa Ana (approx 70€ for a double). I booked in their website.

I like the Plaza Santa Ana area too. I stayed at the Hotel Vinco Soho on Calle del Prado - I think the rate was a little higher than you are looking for, but it is a good hotel and you might find a sale that puts it in your range.