annhig

hi twoboys,

if the cost of breakfast is a bit of a deal breaker, don't bother - there are loads of cafes in Madrid offering breakfast, and it is an ace plce for snacking on tapas, so you don't really want to be full up of a hotel breakfast all day.

the hotel opera where we stayed [wrong end of town for you IMO] offered the hotel breakfast for about €12 [this was 3 years ago] but in their cafe, you could get coffee, fresh orange juice and a pastry for €3, and eggs etc. for €6 - much better value and we weren't paying for what we didn't want.

have a great trip,

regards, ann

cherrybomb

The ME Reina Victoria is nice, I stayed there last May and while the penthouse bar is quite young, the people staying there are not necessarily. Staff is good, we had the deluxe level room with balcony on the plaza and it was nice though not a ginormous room, bathroom was good, bed was very comfortable. The balcony was quite nice. While noise is not a concern for me, if you worry about that, you can't hear anything from either the hall, other rooms, or outside with the balcony doors shut. The balcony is also large enough to sit outside.

For location to museums and service I would recommend.

amsdon

I think the hotels you are considering are all good and well located. We had friends stay at Preciados & they liked it.
The Cortes is on my list too, I know some of the rooms are smaller and some others larger & have the lovely frescoes if your TA can get one of those rooms go for it.

I disagree w/ some of the others re breakfast, I like to have it included in the room price (but DH is diabetic, we need alot of protien options & like it very early. Spanish breakfast is great but in bars they are usually coffee & pan tostado.) It the larger hotels like the Preciados/Cortes & VillaReal/& NH, the breakfast should be alot better & more diverse and costly so if you get it in the room price that is a plus. If breakfast is not a big deal, then of course why even make that a factor.

I agree w/ Chapla the location of the NH is fantastic.

Where did you say you are staying in Granada & Sevilla ? I missed that.

joe4212

We've lodged twice at Hotel Liabeny. Wonderful location, close to shops, restaurants, the metro (at Puerta del Sol), and Playa Mayor.

Our room looked over a small tree-lined square that also has some great restaurants around it. Their site is:

http://www.liabeny.es/

Chapla, is it the outstanding Hotel Larios in Malaga you are referring to? I understand it is now owned by Roommate. We visited Seville, Cordoba and Granada a few years ago and spent our arrival and departure nights (and days!) at the Larios. It was the best and classiest hotel we stayed at on out trip. A favorite of Banderas I understand?

joe

chapla

Joe -that's the one! My room overlooked the square! I could also see the cathedral!They kept the feel of the old hotel Larios with just a few updates.The Breakfast buffet is included and is served on the first floor(2nd for Americans). How pleasant to be able to look out on Larios Street and the suare instead of being down in the basement.
The rooftop bar was closed off for some reason.I understand this hotel is very popular for the processions during Holy week-Antonio Bandersa always participates. His restaurant is a couple of minutes away.I loved the old part of Malaga,the Picasso museum and the Alcazar.Malaga seems to not get good reviews but I really enjoyed it.
I am so glad they didn't go and makeover the hotel look like the Roomate hotels in Madrid.I stayed one night in the Roomste Alicia and was not impressed-what were they thinking to have the bathroom designed with no doors!

joe4212

Hi Chapla

I agree with everything you say. We thought the hotel was superb. Our room also overlooked the square, it had just been renovated in a modernist design which we loved, and to be frank the rate we paid was amazing. As you say, breakfast was included.

We were very, very impressed with Malaga particularly its old town. Hardly another tourist to be found. I guess many visitors fly to the city airport then head out to the resorts. They are missing so much by not visiting.

We took a walk down to the harbour area, spent time on the great (and quiet!) beach there then returned past the citadel. Each evening we enjoyed very much exploring the old town again and ate in wonderful restaurants, at very reasonable cost. The only thing(s) that weren't reasonable cost were the clothes my wife had to buy in some of the very stylish stores on Larios Street!!!

We would go back to the hotel and the city in an instant.

Our visit was just before the hotel was taken over by Roommate and it's great to hear they haven't changed it.

Apologies to twoboys for high-jacking your thread. But, if you ever go to Malaga.................

joe

Flame123

We spent a week in Madrid in April of this year. After much searching and second guessing ourselves over and over, we chose to stay at Hotel Preciados. I can give you the "yays" and "nays" about it as follows :

1) hotel was very clean, room was large for European standards, bathroom was huge for European standards.

2) hotel staff were amazing. nothing was a problem for them, friendly, smiling, eager to help in any way. Fabulous.

3) noise may indeed be an issue. a/c, even in April when not so hot yet, was not stellar. And because of that we tried opening windows and indeed it was quite noisy. The hotel was willing to move us to another room when we told about the noise, but we decided to stay put.

4) breakfast is NOT included in room price and quite expensive. we did not have breakfast in hotel.

Enjoy your trip.

twoboys

Thank you all again for all of your generous comments. I know someone asked where we are staying in Granada and Seville. In Seville we are looking at La Casas de la juderia and in Granada I am deciding btwn Ac Palacio Santa Paula dn villa Oniria. But the Room Mate Hotels in Granada also look like a good economical option. In Barcelona I have it narrowed down to The Majestic or the 1898.

sobster

Look at the Hotel Ritz Madrid-A wonderful experience and near the "important" museums. A recommendation. Sorolla House and Museum

Aduchamp1

I certainly hope you chose a hotel before your trip.

stricky

I highly recommend the Palace Hotel, which Maribel loves as well. I stayed there in early December. Got an excellent rate on Priceline. I was concerned that a "standard" or "executive" room would be small and dark, but it was lovely and thankfully, it was not facing the front street where there is much construction noise AND tons of people. The hotel is in the best location for everything - all the museums and Retiro Park included. The rooms are a nice size, the king size bed and bedding was so comfortable as were the towels in the marble bathroom. It was quiet too. The lobby is a nice place to relax for tea and a snack. Couldn't have been nicer.

celeste60

the Letras hotel is located in a VERY busy square, if price is not a consideration and you want to stay close to the museums, then the palace or Ritz are a good option. I travel to madrid every year and always stay at the intercontinental. Love the serrano area. I agree with Aleta, the Villa Real is in a good location (close to the museums) and there are a lot of good reviews about the hotel on this site. I would not stay anywhere near the gran via area or calle preciados. they are like the time square of NY, very crowded and not very safe at night.

Aduchamp1

I would not stay anywhere near the gran via area or calle preciados. they are like the time square of NY, very crowded and not very safe at night.

I am a life long New Yorker and while Times Square is crowded and dominated by tourists, it is safe. NYC is the safest large city in America and the view that it is not safe is 15 years outdated.

cruiseluv

I am with you Aduchamp. Even when I lived in New York city in the 80's, Times Square was seedy but I would have not called it "dangerous".

twoboys

I too am a New Yorker and while Times Square is congested, I do not think it is unsafe. We would like a quieter location, we do like a more modern feel, but not too "cold". But price is an object so we do want to keep things under $250 a night with breakfast. I know breakfast isnt a big deal in Spain, but I like to start the day with good coffee, fresh fruit, and protein as opposed to pastries. Catalonia las Cortes is looking good to me and I guess I should rule out Hotel de las Letras due to location?

BuffCrone

In Spain, I cannot recommend too highly the Hotel Preciados in Madrid. I've stayed there twice and love it! It is very centrally located, a block from the Preciados pedestrian walk, a block from the Gran Via, and a short walk from Sol. I am a woman traveling alone, in my 50's and I felt quite comfortable in this hotel and this neighborhood.

The rooms are really clean, spare and modern but comfortable, pretty quiet (double windows), with wi-fi, and little fridge in the room, and everyone is really nice there. Breakfast was good and the restaurant is sunny and also adequate for dinner. The neighborhood is perfect for walking or grabbing the metro at Via or Sol.

I wish I could find a hotel like that in Rome!

BuffCrone

PS: Madrid is the antithesis of boring! There are dozens of amazing museums, both modern and ancient, opera, theater (if you speak Spanish), flamenco, fantastic restaurants, gardens, architecture, etc. Do not miss CaixaMadrid if you want to see a gorgeous melding of the modern and ancient architecture. It's near the Prado. I've spent more than two weeks exploring this city and still have things I want to see.