ekscrunchy

Two friends plan to travel to Spain in late October/November. We hope to begin our visit with a few days (perhaps 4-5) in a Madrid apartment. We prefer two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with attractive furnishings and a decent kitchen. Location is flexible. I do not want to be smack near the hubbub of Plaza del Sol. But I do not know the city all that well so would welcome comments on neighborhoods and individual apartments. On my most recent visit I stayed near the Prado so would prefer a different area this time.

Unfortunately I could find no rentals of less than a week in the area that I like just east of Retiro Park, or in Salamanca.
(I've only just begun looking).

Spain Select has a good range of options, but many are either booked or not available for periods of less than a month. Of those that ARE available through this agency, does anyone have preferences? I found this one that looks appealing at first glance and would love comments about the apartment and the location, which I think might be called Chueca. I will post others when I find them, and ask for comments:


http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...vesia-de-belen






I fell in love all over again with the city on my visit last winter and hope to continue the affair from a convenient and attractive base! Many thanks for any and all comments.

danon

I don't know the exact street , but the area right near Recoletos
Cercania is very nice.
If you have the address, do the google street view...(I always do it) to get a "feel" of the area.
Salamanca is just on the other side of Castellana and Retiro cannot be more than 8- 10 min from the apt.
Looks good to me.

danon

I mean, the apt. looks nice.
Some streets in Chueca area are a bit gritty, some seem fine.
Sorry, I don't know it well enough.

ekscrunchy

Danon, I was hoping that you would respond since you always have on-target advice for Madrid and Barcelona.

Do you (or anyone else familiar with Madrid rentals) have any favorite apartments in Madrid?

Any apartments from Spain Select that you did NOT like? Many thanks!!

danon

we rented twice from SS.
The first was in 2007 on Calle Major ( I think it was CM I)
The location was good ( faced the courtyard),but the apt. was a bit "tired" looking. Perhaps it has been redone?
The second time was in 2010 in a relatively new Carretas
. The apt was fine...the building is a minute from Sol...
- busy, small street.
I don't know other rental agencies in Madrid, but would be glad to comment on your selection ( if I can)
Some streets around the apt. you are considering look fine, a few look a bit iffy.I googled it.
Chueca is known as a hip , gay area . At one time it had a bit of a reputation .

perhaps lin or cova would comment ????

danon

Actually,
I rely like this apt. Although on the other side of Retiro.

http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...ts/anunciacion

danon

really

ekscrunchy

Danon: I really liked that apartment! It was among the first ones that I looked at and really liked. It is 3 bedrooms, so the price is higher than the other one, but it looks well worth it, no?

But what do you think of that location, to the southeast of the Park? ( I am more familiar with the streets a bit further north.)

It will be the first time in Madrid for my friend. Will she feel that she is very far from the center of things? I do know that there are good restaurants not far away. And I believe there is a public market a few blocks north on Ibiza.


Anyone else care to comment about that neighborhood?

danon

You are right, it might be not best for the firs time visitor....not close to attractions
Bailen apt. seems nice. It is a central location....but if you can get the street number, would be asked to comment. I only know the part of the street closer to the Palace.
Another very central apt. Is also 3 bed San Augustine.
All apt. on Calle Major are in a great location.....it is a busy, central street....not sure how
soundproof the apt. are.

danon

easier to comment, sorry iPad. Is not best for typing..

macdogmom

We are staying here in May-
http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/rent-apartments/leon

We stayed in Salamanca district last spring and I decided that is was a little too off the beaten track. I liked Las Letras district and this apt is near plaza Santa Ana. It feels very central, but I liked small streets and good food near by!

I poured over your trip report last year before our first visit to Madrid last May. Going back this May with our two sons to show them all the sights and great food.

Robert2533

The Travesía de Belén apartment is close to where Spain-Selects offices are located. The area isn't bad. You would be very close to the newly renovated Mercado San Anton (www.mercadosananton.com), which you should like.

ekscrunchy

Thanks again for those comments.

Robert: When you say that the area "isn't bad," what do you mean exactly? I got a glimpse on the Google map and it looks like the actual street, Travesia de Belen, is very narrow, with a mix of commercial and residential structures with plenty of graffiti..not the most attractive, but I don't care as long as it is safe and the actual apartment is nice.

That location does seem to be within walking distance of Salamanca, Puerto del Sol, and the museums. (We do like to walk a lot!)

I've showed the two places to my friend and will wait for her to comment. If it were me alone, I would take the one east of Retiro, the Anunciacion. For sure!

I'm surprised that the fairly upscale daily or weekly rentals in Madrid do not seem as plentiful as those in Barcelona.

Are there any events in Madrid during the last two weeks of OCtober that I should keep in mind? Or anything else I should know when I select the dates? PLEASE give me your thoughts on this! I owe you and your partner a big debt of gratitude for all the help you've offered me before my previous trips. To think that I would never have discovered the miracle of lechazo without her. And after all my travels, those meals still rank at or near the very top of my all-time-best eating list!

danon

Oct. 12 is a national holiday.
I landed in Madrid that day last year, there was a big military parade for several hours ,
some streets were closed for traffic. Many citizens out and about.

ekscrunchy

Thanks, Danon! We will be there toward the end of the month, so will miss that holiday.

I'm over the moon with excitement about this trip!

danon

No problem
I am plotting a visit to Valencia and Madrid mid Oct.
Let us know how the apt. " hunt" goes.

Robert2533

The rental situation in Madrid is different than Barcelona. Spain Select owns a number of their apartments, which is a major difference. It's like dealing with Paris Perfect.

As far as the narrow streets go, it's part of old Madrid, and not quite as upscale as the Salamaca district.

As far as the graffiti goes, it can be an eye sore. The city is working on cleaning it up, but with the tight budgets, who knows. It's one American gift that should be discouraged, but instead seems to be embraced when they referred to it as "Street Art".

ekscrunchy

Thanks again! We are leaning toward the rental east of Retiro. We can walk through the park to get to some of the major sights, and will be close to restaurants and tapas bars for the evening meals. I am figuring 20 minutes to the Prado; does that sound about right?

Robert: Are there any new eating places I should keep in mind in that general neighborhood?


http://madrid.callejero.net/calle-de...unciacion.html

Weekender

Great looking apartments! I may do this this instead of hotel on my next visit to Madrid.

Thank you ekscrunchy...you piqued my interest in going to Madrid a year ago and I loved it as well.

Robert2533

We checked out a couple of new places last month, but not in the area east of the Retiro, where our old favorites are. One new one you should check is Vi Cool by Sergi Arola, C/Huertas, 12, great menu del dia. The other was the Cheese Bar, José Abascal, 61 (you'll need to take the bus). It's owned by Poncelet, the great cheese shop.

Sagardi has opened up a new restaurant in the Basque cultural center, upstairs, Jovellanos, 2.