Hi,
Can anyone recommend a decent hotel in Madrid. Must be centrally located, good rooms, good service. Ideally with 'Spanish Character'. Needs to be relatively upmarket with decent rates.

Janange

hmmm. what is a decent rate for you?

If it's upmarket, I'd think "decent" rates would be around 200 to 250 euro per night. Right?

Hello,

what about Villa Real 5*****
http://www.theluxuryhotels.info/HOTE.../LXMADVIL.html

5-star accommodation often publishing speacial offer rate for EUR 200 or lower

Brgds
Frank from Salzburg

We stayed at Villa Real about 5 or 6 years ago and LOVED it. I was looking at it last year and it was a lot more than 200 euro -- maybe because the discounted rooms were already gone. But if you can get a room there for your dates at 200 or 250 euro, I'd suggest you grab it quick!

I recommend Hotel Plaza Mayor, wwww.h-plazamayor.com/
very centrally located, good service & reasonable price. It is located just off Plaza Mayor in Madrid.

Janange,
You can sometimes (particularly in winter and July-Aug.) find the Derby Villa Real for under 200€ if you book far enough in advance. I've found it for as low as150. (I chart the tariffs there)

Try www.derbyhotels.com first, then compare with www.gtahotels.com and www.edreams.com

The newer Gran Hotel Canarias is located nearby, with views of the Plaza Neptuno, within a very short walk of the Prado
and is equal in amenities to the V.R., except for the pool privileges the Villa Real guests have at the Urban. Rooms have really fine bathrobes, slippers, snazzy dark green marble baths with fantastic showers and deluxe toiletries, thick carpets woven by the Royal Tapestry Factory, Bang & Oulfsen TV/internet, turndown service with orchid and chocolate, buffet breakfast (with additional "egg menu" for freshly made omelets), nice bar and brasserie.
It was once the palace of a count.-it has plenty of Spanish character.
We've found rates with buffet brk. there for 150 euros. Try www.gtahotels.com or
www.accomline.com

What is your price range?
If it's far below that, around 100 euros,
I also recommend the Plaza Mayor

If it's around 120, the Intur Palacio San Martín

We stayed at the Plaza Mayor last Oct.for 3 nights & loved it, good location, close walking distance to most things like bars restauants & sights, clean, friendly staff, maybe not 5 star but still very pleasant & the price was good as well. Highly recommend.

Another vote for Plaza Mayor. We have stayed there twice, most recently in May of this year. It is newly renovated and redecorated. Their "Superior Double" was
a bargain at 95 euro.