My girlfriend and I are visiting Madrid in mid April. We have booked our fights but now need to book a hotel. We would like to be very close to all the sights and are looking at a four or possibly a three star hotel.The Best Western Atlantio has very good reviews on TA. Any other suggestions? Also tips for restaurants and 'things to do' We are staying three nights.Thanks.

Three days are easy museums, a day trip to one of the surrounding towns, and walking should take care of everything.

The group high tech hotels has many well located three stars in Madrid, have a look at their web site

Hi Joandg - just stayed at Best Western Atlantico a couple of weeks ago (see trip report). Fantastic location and very happy with the hotel. It can be a bit noisy on the Gran Via (and it certainly was New Year's Eve!)We walked to everything from this hotel and it's located in a good shopping area. Breakfast was good.

Good assessment from Aduchamp1. One possibility if all three are full days and you like museums a lot:

-Palacio Real (morning), than walk leisurely via Plaza Mayor to the Prado (afternoon).

-Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum (morning into afternoon), Parque de Retiro (afternoon), Museo Reina Sofia (late afternoon into evening).

-Day trip to Toledo.

I don't know how old you and your gf are, but if you are interested in going out, it will take a bit from your daytime hours since everything starts late and lasts until the morning hours.
Restaurants start to get populated around 10 pm (except for the touristy spots in the old town), and most bars & clubs don't start to get lively until 2 or 3 am.
Ask your hotel concierge which places will be currently in for a nightly movida. And then just follow the crowd.

The nearest "young" neighborhood from Gran Via for the nightly movida would be Chueca - and also the Old Town. Both in easy walking distance from your hotel.

Have a look at renting an apartment it'll work out at better value and more space, most likely:

http://www.waytostay.com/Madrid-apartments-en-214.html

Check out the Reina Sofia modern art gallery its brilliant.

Best steak platter ive had in spain (and great cider sangria) in a cider tavern:
Sidreria de Asturies, Calle Argumosa, Lavapies metro

The Best Western Atlantico is a great hotel, although the rooms that face the Gran Via are noisy even with the windows closed. You are across the street from the Plaza Callao metro station, 1 block from El Corte Inglés, and a 5-minute walk from the Puerta del Sol.

The hotel is renovated, modern, and clean.

I highly recommend the Palacio San Martin. It isn't noisy and isn't on Gran Via, but is in that general area and a very convenient location. It is 4* but they often have good rates.

http://www.hotelinturpalacio.com

We like the Hotel Europa on the north side of Puerto del Sol.

If you haven't found it yet, you should check out the Madrid guide at www.maribelsguides.com. There is a wealth of information about hotels, neighborhoods, restaurants and sites.

Thanks Foderites for all your replies. Have booked the Atlantio,bit more expensive than I usually pay but looks good and is very central and I'm sure my friend will like it. Just now need to identify some good restaurants and 'different'places to visit!