Madrid: Hostal Madrid Star or Hotel Arosa?
 

I've been to Madrid before, twice in fact (or actually 4x, if you count the beginning and end of trips).

But for my upcoming trip, I'm having a hard time remembering where is the ideal place to stay. In my case, it will be December 25-27. I generally like to go out at night and if there are flamenco or music shows, I'll want to go. I've stayed on Gran Via and I've stayed near Atocha, and one other place I can't remember, and they all seemed to work out fine.

The reason for these two is that the price/quality ratio for both seems to be very good, based on the deals I've been able to find (about 55 Euros/night for each). They both have 24-hour reception.

Hostal Madrid Star is at Calle del Principe.

Hotel Arosa is at Calle Salud, 21.

Which would you prefer in terms of location or otherwise? I'll be arriving by plane and leaving by train.

Hostal Madrid Star would be right in the bustling Barrio de las Letras/Huertas district. I always stay close to here, and the hostal gets great reviews. Also a short walk to the Atocha train station, the three big museums etc. etc. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/host...tar.en-gb.html

The area: http://www.barrioletras.com/
http://mividaen.sampere.com/neighbor...madrid-huertas
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html


You are also close to vibrant Plaza Santa Ana and majestic Plaza Mayor, and two of the finest tablaos (flamenco venues) in the country - Casa Patas and Cardamomo - are almost on your doorstep.
Casa Patas: http://www.casapatas.com/
Cardamomo: http://cardamomo.es/

Thank you - I remember now I have been to Casa Patas.

And close by Cafe Central is the best jazz venue in town, top of the shelf national and international artists every night at 9pm, changing every week: http://www.cafecentralmadrid.com/

I'd prefer Hostal Madrid Star, also. I'm just not that crazy about the area right off Gran Via, and don't think it's as convenient overall for various reasons, such as the cafes/flamenco but even for sightseeing.

Here are some favourite places very close to Hostal Madrid Star,

Bar La Venencia is in the next street, Calle Echegaray: http://theculturetrip.com/europe/spa...sit-in-madrid/

So is flamenco/toro and local atmosphere late night club/bar El Burladero: http://www.timeout.com/madrid/music-...e/el-burladero

Hemingway's old favourite Cerveceria Alamena is hundred meters away. Of course many tourists, but still very possible to spend some good time here. http://www.cerveceriaalemana.com/main/

Casa Alberto from 1827, just around the corner, serves traditional Madrid food and is very popular with both locals and tourists alike. A fine, little tapas bar in front: http://www.casaalberto.es/en/
https://11870.com/pro/casa-alberto

Fabulous bacalao rebozado (fried cod) tapa and other goodies in very local feel Casa Revuleta some five minutes walking from the hostal: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...ta-Madrid.html

And you are a few minutes walk from Casa Granada, hard to find on the sixth floor of an apartment building just off Plaza Tirso de Molina, and a great terrace with nice views of the Madrid night. https://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Vid...ada-Video.html
http://www.laplayademadrid.es/archives/1996

All of those places sound great, kimhe!

Thanks everyone. I'll try staying in this area this time.

I don't think too many places will be open Christmas day....

Follow up to this - I was able to get a 70-Euro bed/breakfast rate (including tax) for Tryp Madrid Atocha, so I decided to go for that. Not quite as central as Hostal Madrid Star, but pretty close, and that Tryp is also very convenient for the train and Prado.

Take a look at Apartamentos Dana Sol on booking.com, nice and they have a liberal cancellation policy. Or maybe Atocha is not cancellable, in that case, enjoy!

Apartamentos Dana Sol look nice and are a good price, but I wanted a hotel with 24-hour reception in this case. (Plus, I did get a non-cancellable deal).