Madrid Hotels Question
Sep 2nd, 2013, 02:41 PM
#23
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Well, I did not stay across the street from The Prado. If you want that, you pay top dollar (or top euro).
I found the Hostal Benamar ("hostal" means "hotel" in Spanish; it has nothing to do with a youth hostal--perish the thought) on booking.com. I stayed there twice. The first time when I drove up I thought, "Uh oh, a disaster." It wasn't a disaster. It was nice and just what I wanted.
I am not a big one for dumping big bucks on hotels. The Benamar is a small family run hotel--and Madrid is full of them.
It is on the Calle San Marco and occupies pieces of the building. The check in desk is on the European 2nd floor and there is no elevator. To get in the building, you have to buzz. They buzz back and the door opens. They come down to help with luggage.
Now I paid for a single. You will pay more for two people, but not double. My apprehensions turned into nothing once I saw the room. Very nice. I stayed there twice. The second time I stayed on the ground floor--which I liked because I didn't have to go upstairs. This hotel is not well known, does not have a concierge and certainly does not serve breakfast. It is walking distance from the Grand Via, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace. It is a 10 minute bus ride or easy Metro ride to the three art galleries (they are clustered in the same place).
This hotel is a real find for those who just want a basic room. It is not one where there is a lot of staff. The rooms I had (I stayed there twice during my recent 7 1/2 week home exchange based trip to France & Spain). I would stay there again. The bed was made up and the room was cleaned every day--for 30 euros per night. What else can I say?
If you want the ambiance of an upscale hotel, you probably would not like the Benamar, but it suited me just fine. Please tell Jose (It's owned by Jose Benamar--hence the name) that I sent you. He gave me a big greeting when I came for 4 nights at the end of the trip. While there is no concierge, he has maps, etc., will direct you to restaurants, the Metro (around the corner at Tribunal) and to bus 37 (easiest way to get to the 3 art galleries.
So that is the scoop on the Hostal Benamar. Jose deserves more business than he has. On the view: He gave me a choice of the street or the courtyard. I prefer quiet even if my view overlooks a lot of drying laundry. It does have those European unit air conditioners/heaters in the rooms.
If I ever return to Madrid, I would stay there again. I do not demand much from hotels. You can always check out the lobbies in the more expensive places (I didn't) or eat in their restaurants. The Ritz serves high tea, but I didn't go. It's right by The Prado as well.
Enjoy Spain!
I found the Hostal Benamar ("hostal" means "hotel" in Spanish; it has nothing to do with a youth hostal--perish the thought) on booking.com. I stayed there twice. The first time when I drove up I thought, "Uh oh, a disaster." It wasn't a disaster. It was nice and just what I wanted.
I am not a big one for dumping big bucks on hotels. The Benamar is a small family run hotel--and Madrid is full of them.
It is on the Calle San Marco and occupies pieces of the building. The check in desk is on the European 2nd floor and there is no elevator. To get in the building, you have to buzz. They buzz back and the door opens. They come down to help with luggage.
Now I paid for a single. You will pay more for two people, but not double. My apprehensions turned into nothing once I saw the room. Very nice. I stayed there twice. The second time I stayed on the ground floor--which I liked because I didn't have to go upstairs. This hotel is not well known, does not have a concierge and certainly does not serve breakfast. It is walking distance from the Grand Via, Plaza Mayor and Royal Palace. It is a 10 minute bus ride or easy Metro ride to the three art galleries (they are clustered in the same place).
This hotel is a real find for those who just want a basic room. It is not one where there is a lot of staff. The rooms I had (I stayed there twice during my recent 7 1/2 week home exchange based trip to France & Spain). I would stay there again. The bed was made up and the room was cleaned every day--for 30 euros per night. What else can I say?
If you want the ambiance of an upscale hotel, you probably would not like the Benamar, but it suited me just fine. Please tell Jose (It's owned by Jose Benamar--hence the name) that I sent you. He gave me a big greeting when I came for 4 nights at the end of the trip. While there is no concierge, he has maps, etc., will direct you to restaurants, the Metro (around the corner at Tribunal) and to bus 37 (easiest way to get to the 3 art galleries.
So that is the scoop on the Hostal Benamar. Jose deserves more business than he has. On the view: He gave me a choice of the street or the courtyard. I prefer quiet even if my view overlooks a lot of drying laundry. It does have those European unit air conditioners/heaters in the rooms.
If I ever return to Madrid, I would stay there again. I do not demand much from hotels. You can always check out the lobbies in the more expensive places (I didn't) or eat in their restaurants. The Ritz serves high tea, but I didn't go. It's right by The Prado as well.
Enjoy Spain!
Sep 2nd, 2013, 02:54 PM
#24
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Lots of hostals are cheap, but I don't understand the point of this one since it isn't near the Prado.
And what is the purpose of asking someone to tell a hotel manager than some person on the internet "sent you". Do you get a kickback? I just don't understand these kind of requests, they sound egotistical.
And what is the purpose of asking someone to tell a hotel manager than some person on the internet "sent you". Do you get a kickback? I just don't understand these kind of requests, they sound egotistical.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 04:08 PM
#25
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Whoa, Christina! No need to be unkind.
I asked lauren for more information about Benamar and she kindly responded. I believe the price was so good that she mentioned it even though it isn't near Prado. This is the kind of info that most people find helpful on this forum.
My late husband and I made some wonderful connections at hotels and have often said in recommendations to say we sent them and say to say hello to hoteliers we especially enjoyed.
I asked lauren for more information about Benamar and she kindly responded. I believe the price was so good that she mentioned it even though it isn't near Prado. This is the kind of info that most people find helpful on this forum.
My late husband and I made some wonderful connections at hotels and have often said in recommendations to say we sent them and say to say hello to hoteliers we especially enjoyed.
Sep 2nd, 2013, 07:02 PM
#26
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I am not financially involved with the Benamar. The thing that drives me nuts on Fodors is that every time someone recommends a place he is accused of taking kickbacks or advertising.
I stayed at the Benamar a total of 5 nights. I stayed 1 night when I flew to Madrid from Bordeaux and got in really too late to take the bus to my home exchange in Salamanca on the same day. Then I stayed 4 nights at the end of the trip. So, when I said "twice", I meant twice in the same trip.
Jose was nice to me and I told him I would recommend the place on my website--which I did. If someone goes there on my recommendation, I would just like him to know. It is my way of saying "thank you" to tell others about a good place.
I stayed at the Benamar a total of 5 nights. I stayed 1 night when I flew to Madrid from Bordeaux and got in really too late to take the bus to my home exchange in Salamanca on the same day. Then I stayed 4 nights at the end of the trip. So, when I said "twice", I meant twice in the same trip.
Jose was nice to me and I told him I would recommend the place on my website--which I did. If someone goes there on my recommendation, I would just like him to know. It is my way of saying "thank you" to tell others about a good place.
Nov 3rd, 2014, 03:11 AM
#28
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Michelle_d, it's always nice to hear that one's information helped someone else. That is why most of us post. I doubt Jose would remember me at this point, but I do remember my brief stay at the Benamar with pleasure. Should my travels take me to Madrid again, I would certainly stay there again.
