Madrid hotels airport and centre - recommendations?
 

As there are no flights from Bristol to Valencia that are convenient for next year's GTG in Valencia [14-20 March 2019] I have decided to fly into and out of Madrid. This will involve one over night on the way out, and as the flight arrives at about 8pm, I thought that the easiest thing would be to stay overnight at the airport, then catch the shuttle bus from the airport to Atocha station in the morning to get the train, which should get me to Valencia in mid-afternoon.

So first of all I need a recommendation for an airport hotel. somewhere with an airport shuttle and a restaurant.

On the way back I've decided to spend 3 nights in Madrid; Bill and I stayed there for 3 nights over 10 years ago and that time we were in a hotel near the Opera. This time I'd like something a bit closer to the action.

I don't really want to spend more than €100 a night but I confess that when I travel by myself, I feel more comfortable in bigger more plush hotels than I might when I had someone to travel with. So a good safe well-lit location preferably in easy walking distance of nice restaurants to go to at night is essential. [I don't like using the metro by myself at night].

Any ideas gratefully received.

Hi. How about RoomMate Alicia for a great central location on Plaza Santa Ana. Very reasonably priced. Or more plush and expensive try Catalonia las Cortes-right next door. We stayed there in March and loved it. Lovely, elegant and great staff. Have fun!

You might consider going downtown ( close to Atocha ) upon arrival instead of
staying at the airport. Madrid is lively at night .
Taxi rate is fixed at 30 euros ...

danon - I had thought of going downtown on the night I arrive but I suspect that all I would do is to stay in the hotel anyway. Yes, daft I know but by the time I'd got there it would already be 9.30 and I'd be ready for bed!

Yes, I know that's early for most spanish people and at the end of the trip it's likely that I'd think nothing of it but I think I'd rather spend that €30 on a drink and dinner plus the bus to the station in the morning.

Thanks for the suggestions eefarr - I'll go and have a look at them now.

Hi, Ann! This hotel was recommended to me here years ago, I think by the legendary Maribel.
I've not stayed there but it looks fine and appears to have a shuttle bus:

https://www.clementhoteles.com

Very best, ek

Hi ek,

Funnily enough that was one of the ones I'd targeted for the night at the airport - it seems to tick all the boxes for me. Thanks!

And Maribel - I'd forgotten all about her. She was a wonderful mine of information when I first found Fodors - i wonder where she is now.

efarr - thanks for Catalonia las Cortes tip. Absolutely right for me, including having free snacks in the afternoon! brill. I have made a booking with free cancellation just in case but I think it will suit me very well.

Booking.com will find you something. Prices may not be available for next year.

When I went to Madrid I stayed at Hostel Benamar. I think I payed around $50/night. The room is basic but cozy with its private bathroom and in a nice part of town. Check it out on Booking.com.

Glad you like Catalonia las Cortes! I learned of it from Maribel’s guide. In addition to the snacks, there’s an in-room coffee and tea maker for the win!
Ellen

Annhig,

I dont know if you already know Madrid? If you dont, I would encourage you to get there a day prior and stay in the center to enjoy this fantastic city. If you do, I suggest a hotel in the Plaza Santa Ana area or Plaza de Oriente. We could take the train together to Valencia on the 14th!

I was very lucky to meet Maribel in one of my trips to Spain. Such a generous person with her knowledge of Spain, she helped me many times. I believe she has a successful travel business and is probably totally dedicated to that

“danon - I had thought of going downtown on the night I arrive but I suspect that all I would do is to stay in the hotel anyway. Yes, daft I know but by the time I'd got there it would already be 9.30 and I'd be ready for bed!”

I understand.. I am a nighthawk when it comes to Madrid.
I just though it would be easier to already be in the city for the trip to Valencia instead of a shuttle back to the airport and bus to Atocha in the morning.

<<I dont know if you already know Madrid? If you dont, I would encourage you to get there a day prior and stay in the center to enjoy this fantastic city. If you do, I suggest a hotel in the Plaza Santa Ana area or Plaza de Oriente. We could take the train together to Valencia on the 14th!>>

cruisluv - Bill and I went to Madrid for a long weekend a few years ago so I know it a bit, but not well enough which is why I've given myself 3 nights there after the GTG in Valencia. That fitted better with the return flight times as mostly they are late at night but on Saturdays there is one mid-morning which is what I've booked, and in true Fodor's style it puts me in Madrid at the end of my trip so I'll be in the right place for my flight home.

I'm flying in on the 13th so we should be able to get the train together anyway, if you don't mind waiting for me to get from the airport to Atocha.

how nice you were able to meet Meribel - there wasn't much about Spain that she didn't know, so far as I could tell and it was obvious that she was passionate about it. I hope that she's been able to turn that into a successful business.

Danon - I know it's wimpish but I prefer to do the airport - bus to Atocha thing in the morning when I'm feeling fresh rather than having to get to my hotel in central Madrid at night when I'm tired and hungry. Perhaps if that was my only night there it would be different but as I've got three nights there at the end of the trip I'm not too fussed.

When I went to Madrid I stayed at Hostel Benamar. I think I payed around $50/night. The room is basic but cozy with its private bathroom and in a nice part of town. Check it out on Booking.com.>>

Thanks, Loackerwafer - unfortunately it's not averrable for my dates. possibly it's too early to book for then or it's such a bargain it's already full!!!

<<Glad you like Catalonia las Cortes! I learned of it from Maribel’s guide. In addition to the snacks, there’s an in-room coffee and tea maker for the win!
Ellen>>

I know, I saw that too Ellen - and there's nothing I like more than being able to make myself a nice cup of tea in the morning and in the afternoon. [that's only a slight exaggeration]

Now all I have to do is decide how I'm going to spend my 2 ½ days in Madrid!

I stayed at the Clement Barajas by myself about seven years ago. It was very comfortable and I actually walked down the street for dinner. There was a little square just down the road with some restaurants.

The one issue I had was that I needed to get to the airport early the next morning and I was nervous about relying on the shuttle, so I got a taxi and the driver charged me some extortionate fee because he said that was the minimum. I wish I'd been wise enough to check with the hotel about that. I've been ripped off in Rome by an airport taxi too so always book a pick up there.

thanks, palatino82. Fortunately I won't be in a particular hurry in the morning as I will be getting a train from Atocha to Valencia, so "all" I need to do is to get the hotel shuttle back to the airport and pick up the bus to the station.

If anyone has done that, I'd be grateful to have more details about where to catch it from.

Ann,

instead of getting the bus to Atocha, you can get on the train from the T4 to Atocha. The Cercanias ticket is included on your AVE ticket, and it gets you straight to the station.
It can be used up to 4 hours before departure of your AVE train or four hours after arrival
CombinadoCercanías
There is a number on your ticket that you must input on the machines and it will give you the ticket. Oficially there are only two trains per hour from Madrid to the airport, beginning in Principe Pio ... but extraofficially there are two more trains that come all the way from Villalba. The time table is something like 50, 55, 15 and 25 (aprox, totally crazy, I know). They added the extra trains last year after the L9 metro works, and World Pride, and they stayed.
Madrid Cercanías

I would prefer to get to Madrid on your arrival. 20:00 is not so late, but I understand that it will be more relaxing to stay at one airport hotel.

Bye, Cova

Annhig, your post about Madrid caught my attention as that's in our plans for the beginning of our trip to Northern Spain. Unfortunately, our dates don't overlap as we're headed there in late August. However, we'll keep an eye out for your trip report. Good luck in your planning! Valencia is a city we're sorry to miss, so we'll be especially interested in reading about your experiences there.

Cova - that's exactly the sort of information I was hoping to get from someone here. Thank you. I understand what you say about getting into Madrid the evening I arrive but my flight arrives into Terminal 1 which would mean yet more faffing about to get over to Terminal 4, the train, hotel etc. Too far outside my comfort zone!

Do you happen to know how far in advance I can book my ticket from Madrid to Valencia [and back]? is there any price advantage in booking a return as opposed to a single? I've never bought a ticket on Renfe on line before - are there any snags? [ok, I just went to the Man in Seat 61 and "he" answered all my questions! Highly recommended. so 90 days in advance for AVE tickets, 2x single promo fares probably cheaper than the return, and www.loco2.com is easier to use than the Renfe site, Sorted].

tomarkot - yes, shame our trips will not overlap. Do I understand that your trip is in late August 2019? That's what I call forward planning! I have been both to Madrid and Valencia previously but only for 3 and 4 nights respectively so when the chance to go to the Las Fallas and a GTG in Valencia came along I leapt at it, and the chance to add on a few days in Madrid was too good to miss. I will do my best to remember to do a TR - you will have to remind me!

Annhig,

I'm doing my Madrid stay in reverse, probably arrive Madrid on the 10th and take train to Valencia on the 14th. Looking at itineraries there're two AVE departures from Atocha that would work for me, either the 10:40 am, or 11:55 am. Obviously dont know if the schedules will change for next year. Closer to the date we can see if we can coordinate. Do you know where you're staying in Valencia?