BumbleB6

Would those familiar with Madrid mind taking a look at the following apartments I am considering for next March? I'd be very grateful for any opinions re: location, potential noise, etc. Thank you!
Oh, travel party is myself, husband, and teen daughter.

https://www.booking.com/hotel/es/apa...df85c7f;dcid=2

Above, we're interested in the 2 br apt. but they both seem to be decorated alike.
This is apparently from an individual owner; (also a listing on airbnb), on Calle Mayor 37, what seems to be a busy street. That's fine by us, just curious about the neighborhood. Also, I've never rented from an individual outside the US (and yes I was nervous about that too, but it turned out fine), so I'm a bit nervous about that.

Also this one, from Madrid SmartRentals:
http://www.madridsmartrentals.com/en...de-las-letras/
2 br, 2 ba. Calle Santa Maria 36 Good reviews on booking.com.

http://www.apartamentoshuertas.com/2...rtment303.html
This one is right on Calle Huertas I believe, and I've read it's noisy. How noisy, I'm wondering? ( I live on a busy corner on the outskirts of Chicago, with an apartment building behind us, so we are used to some noise. )

Of the three, I like the looks of the first one on Calle Mayor 37 best.

Finally, I do have a "family room" reserved (w/free cancellation) at Room Mate Laura, in case I cannot find an apartment; but I would really like to have a proper dining table, and a proper bed (not a sofa bed) and dressing area for my daughter. The RML has neither of those.

Thanks again for any opinions! Oh - we will be in Madrid for 7 nights.

BumbleB6

I see the booking.com link goes to a list and not the actual apartment listing. Sorry.
I am referring to the first apartment listed - Apartment Center Madrid Mayor Sol, on Calle Mayor, 37. 2 br.
Thanks!

danon

Calle Mayor is a VERY busy street at all times.
If you are worried about the noise, you might wish to continue looking.
Spain Selsct has a good selection, . we renters fro them a couple of times.

cruiseluv

Agree with Danon. I'm not fond at all of the Calle Mayor and the Puerta del Sol area. Sure, its central, but its busy and congested.
I much prefer the Barrio de Las Letras area where the 2nd choice is located. However I cant recall that specific street where the apt is located.

BumbleB6

Thanks for your replies. I am actually leaning toward the latter two because I've heard better things about Barrio de Las Letras.
I do have a list of choices on Spain Select as well.

cruiseluv

I think that's the right choice.
The areas of interest in Madrid are not far from each other. You can walk from Barrio de Las Letras to Plaza Mayor in about 15 mins.

Enjoy! I love Madrid!

kimhe

Both the two last apartments are in the excellent Barrio de las Letras district and just some 200-300 meters apart. I would have chosen the one on lovely and pedestrianized Calle de las Huertas itself. Some nightlife in all of the area, but not a particularly noisy street. And only one minute walking to vibrant Plaza Santa Ana and five minutes to majestic Plaza Mayor. About the district: http://www.barrioletras.com/

The apt. is also one minute from one of my favourite traditional Madrid restaurants, Casa Alberto from 1827. Popular with both tourists and madrileños alike. http://www.casaalberto.es/en/

You are two minutes from the best jazz venue in town, Cafe Central. Top artists every night at 10 pm. http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

And two minutes from the best tablao (flamenco restaurant) in Spain in recent years, Casa Patas. A night here is a must in the flamenco capital of the world. The art comes from Andalucia, but everyone has to conquer Madrid to make it to the top: http://www.casapatas.com/

Some clips from Casa Patas the past two years:

Fuensanta La Moneta, voted best female flamenco dancer 2009 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbO_lw2xWtU

Pastora Galván, voted best female flamenco dancer 2010 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY6Vy9tKW3U

Olga Pericet, voted best female flamenco dancer 2011 by Spanish critics: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55waEsaBzjM

Fantastic and cutting edge Israel Galván, he has revolutionized male flamenco dance during the past decade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VL9Wav9v7Jc

Estrella Morente, now the world's most famous cantaora (female flamenco singer): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sejSYMSQDZo

crosscheck

We just returned from Madrid last night where we visited our son who is doing his junior semester abroad. I too would choose Las Letras over Sol, but both of those areas were too touristy for our tastes.

Instead, I highly recommend the Conde Duque or Malasaña areas, especially with a teenager. Low rise, cobblestone, small plazas, much less touristy and authentic than Sol or Las Letras. Walking distance to all major attractions, neighborhoody by day with vibrant cafe culture at night, reminiscent of the Marais in Paris.

We rented an airbnb on the super charming Plaza Comendadores, but it was only one bedroom and wouldn't have been large enough for the three of you. Maybe put Conde Duque or Malasaña into the airbnb site and see what's available.

BumbleB6

Wow, kimhe! Thank you!! After a bit more research on google and google maps, I am leaning heavily toward booking the one on Calle Santa Maria in Las Letras.
We are meeting up with a friend there, and he wants to visit Prado and the other two museums as much as possible (I'm only going once to each; love art, but can only handle so much time in a museum!) and he wants to get a hotel close to us. We'll be hanging out together in the evenings with him, so this area looks ideal. I did want to visit at least one jazz club and also go to Casa Patas.

However, I just stayed at the Bastille edge of Le Marais last March, crosscheck, and really liked it. Hmmm.

Want to make a decision by tonight so I can get on with my everyday life here in dreary Chicago, . I tend to obsess about logistics of a trip until everything is settled.
Liking the third apartment option more and more though.

Thank you all again! I knew you'd be helpful.

danon

cross check,
we also like less touristy parts of Madrid much more but, understandably, first time visitors
tend to prefer staying closer to Mayor or Prado.

chapla

Be careful -Huertas is just about the NOISIEST street I have ever experienced! Earplugs don't help!People laughing/screaming/throwing up through the night. I can't even think of how to compare it with any street in Chicago. It is known as the street with the most bars....until 5AM Then the bars start tossing out the empty bottles and then come the garbage trucks!!! To be avoided at all costs.
The street over from Huertas is Santa Maria-alittle less noisy but has the overflow from Huertas.It's a shame that Huertas has lost it's original appeal.I stayed in alovely apt 4 times and then enough was enough and I now prefer to on Calle Cervantes-an area that has managed to retain the flavor of Barrio de Letras
I would choose the apt on Calle Mayor-the noise is just street/car traffic and you will be there in March so most likely windows will be closed.

ribeirasacra

Any city in Spain can be noisy at night. Spaniards like to "party" So bars and restaurants never close so early as in some countries.
Just move your hours of rest to suit. ;-)

chapla

How can you say that ?-the noise is something I have never witnessed.Not fair to mislead people.The area has become a hangout for young people who hang around and scream obscenities at passers by!Huertas was really a nice street withquotes from Spanish authors but those days are long gone.
A much better/pleasant experience these days is now to be found on on Calle Baja

BumbleB6

Thanks, chapla, I will keep that in mind.
Yes, Spain seems to be noisy in general... We were in Sevilla last June, at the edge of the Barrio Santa Cruz area. It was pretty noisy. I would love to have kept our windows open at night, as it cooled our apt off without air-con, but it wasn't possible due to noise from the street. And I'm used to a little noise!
Then the motorcycles and garbage trucks at dawn! So we closed the windows to sleep, and although we were only on the third floor, it was much quieter with windows closed.

I am intrigued now by the Las Letras area. I'm sure I have time to keep looking for something else in the area...

kimhe

The less touristy parts of Madrid are very nice, but Madrid is not that touristy in general. Been in Madrid some ten times over the years and studied and worked in the non-touristy, upscale and conservative Salamanca District, and used to hang out in the vibrant areas North of Gran Via at night. But I've always stayed close to the Letras area in recent years. Noise is a relative thing in Spain, and Madrid is very much a night city. The madrileños are called Los Gatos (the cats) for a reason...

danon

We now stay in Salamnca and enjoy a good night sleep AFTER hanging out in noisier, livelier
parts of the city.

kimhe

Chapla's suggestion is as good as it gets. Calmer, and still right in the middle of everything.

Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza are of course world class. But I would urge you to also visit the Reina Sofia contemporary arts museum close by. The second floor with Picasso, Dalí, lots of other painitings, posters, films, photos etc., dealing with a couple of the greatest civilizational breakdowns of the 20th century, the Spanish Civil War and WWII, completely blew my mind off some years ago. Picasso's famous and powerful Guernica almost came as an anti-climax to all the other strong impressions.

BumbleB6

Did a bit more research during lunch... I put a hold on the Spain Select Leon apt. on Calle Leon. I think it is very near Calle Huertas, but I really like the looks of this place, and it is MUCH nicer than the other three I was thinking about.

As for noise - well, perhaps I'll pretend I'm young again and on spring break, .
The Leon apt. is described as having the bedrooms in the back, however.
For the price, I may not find something else as nice in the area...

The one chapla recommended is nice, too, and I saw that; and thank you! It is a bit over the lodging budget I've allotted myself, however...

chapla

Love the Leon apartment,just a minute away from the other one! There's a small grocery story across the street, a great bakery on the corner and lots of places to stop for a bite to eat.My neighborhood!Easy walk to the Plaza Santa Ana one way, down the hill to the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen museums. on the way back, walk up Huertas and say thank goodness you can walk on and make a right on Leon to your lovely apartment!

progol

Any recommended 1 bedroom or studio apartments in the downtown area? We will be there in May 2015. We'll be leaving early on a Sunday morning, so want to make sure we have either staff to help us or easy access to a cab; looking to keep it around 100 euros/night.

I have a reservation at Hostal Acapulco which comes recommended on this board. I'm booking a mixture of hotels & apartments for our trip, and am not sure if we should take an apartment just before we return to the states simply because the idea of having staff around seems a food idea. But I'm open to advice! We'll be in Madrid for 4 nights.

Thanks!