natjgc

Has anyone heard of the Emperador hotel on the Gran Via in Madrid. Is it a good place
to stay or should we stay in the Puerta Del Sol area?
Natjgc

natjgc

Is there a synagogue close to the Emperador.natjgc

sueswny

The Puerta del Sol area is better than the Gran Via. There are several hotels right on the Puerta del Sol, but they vary in quality. One I like is the Hotel Moderno, right on the square. Another is the Hotel Paris, which is a bit older and "worn around the edges" but still a good bet. Check tripadvisor.com for detailed reviews of these and many others!
Sue

Laura25

I think Gran Vía is better than the Puerta del Sol area. Anyway, the Hotel Emperador it's very near the Puerta del Sol, no more than 10 minutes walking. Gran Vía it's a very funny street, with a lot of cinemas, bars, and theatres, and it's in the centre of the city.
I think the Hotel Emperador it's a very good place to stay. But, in my opinion one of the best hotels in Madrid is the Hotel Hesperia, on the Paseo de la Castellana.

lincasanova

i have met business colleagues in lobby several times.- they seem to like the hotel.
it has a very nice entrance area.

i , personally, like this location for the theater and the proximity to many places. there are a few restaurants/cafés that stay open around there.. and just a few minutes walk to the lovely opera/palacio real area.

if you have a good rate.. it should be good. the british embassy sends most of the visiting business people here.

natjgc

Hi Sue,

So you really think the Gran Via is not a good choice but the Puerta Del Sol is. I'm going to have to research this because I am getting conflicting opinions and I don't know what to do.
What is around the Gran Via? and how far is it to the Puerta Del Solarea? Someone told me it is around a 1/2 mile. I really want to be where the action is and be able to walk around and be close to the hotel. I'll check this out. Thanks, Natalie

metellus

Puerto del Sol is far better than Gran Via. Burt split the difference and try the Santo Domingo. A very nice place a few blocks from the Gran Via and 5-10 min walk through through an interesting shopping area to Puerto Del Sol. Yet's it's nice and quiet and steps from a subway stop.

lincasanova

nearby : fnac french mega bookstore/ theaters with mama mia,musicals / opera/royal palace/restaurants/ shopping/ tourist bus at plaza españa....

public transport at door.

natjgc

Hi Laura and Lincasanova,

Now I'm really confused!!!!
I quess there are pros and cons with what ever you do or stay. All of you have good ideas. I'm still wondering if that area is lively or quiet-
and do I really want to be in the center--- ( probably) but all of you are telling me that it is a good choice and the area is somewhat centrally located.

Anyone else have an opinion so I can really get crazy over this?? Natalie

natjgc

Metellus,

Any suggestions on where to stay in the Santo Domingo area?

lincasanova

if i recall. these areas are just a few blocks from each other. you need to move around to visit most of madrid anyway.. so.. for me, bascially la puerta de sol is a huge bus exchange place.. but a few blocks away is the gran via.. so within an 8 block area you have most of everything.

there are even other areas i would stay in.. just get a hotel you like the rate at and has decent reviews and relax because either of these areas is FINE.

gran via is a wider avenue.. that late at night is quieter.. daytime busy.
pta de sol is busy busy busy, large plaza.. lots of buses..surrounded by hotels/shopping/mcdonalds.. etc...and OFF this plaza you have "spokes of the wheel" streets which some take you to the gran via..and others i don't remember the names of.

i go to madrid often and rarely even stay right in the "center" which i would also call the gran via area..

pta de sol for ME; (IMHO) is the center of the chaos.. and i really don't like hanging around there. too many people,... too much bustle and not enough room..

natjgc

Thanks lincasanova for all of your help
What you have said makes alot of sense.
Natjgc

metellus

Santo Dominmgo isn't an area, it is the name of a specific hotel.

lincasanova

cuesta santo domingo is a street, and it is an area on my spanish campsa map.

metellus

" cuesta santo domingo is a street, and it is an area on my spanish campsa map."

That may be, but I still was referring to a hotel.

lincasanova

just didn't want this person to be confused. the BW opera hotel is in the santo domingo area, too.

Eloise

Gran Via and Puerta del Sol are six of one and a half-dozen of the other; both are, in my opinion, to be avoided.

Go to www.venere.com, click on Spain, then on Madrid. There will be at least one hotel that indicates that it is in the area called "Prado" and you can click on the map and see what the boundaries of "Prado" are.

I honestly believe that Prado is the best area to be. But I do have to admit that I have no idea where the area or the hotel Santo Domingo is.

lincasanova

santo domingo area is off the gran via, near theaters, shopping, and just a skip down the road and you are at opera house,and palacio real, which are so beautiful.

then puerta de sol is a little walk.
prado museum triangle is great for atocha and museums.. but if you are not into those nor spending most of your time there, although chic, the "rest" plaza mayor, shopping, palace.. are a bit further i think.
i have found all those areas o.k.

i just go where i can get a good rate/ weigh out the inconveniences.. and really.. ALL these areas, including prado.. are surrounded by things making them convenient.

i thoroughly recommend tourist bus first thing to get overall view of city which is so extensive, and you will see you are in good area!!!

you probably would NOT want to stay in the AZCA area after huge windsor fire as there will be a lot of movement(once investigation is completed) because of demolition, which will last several months.