Maribel and Spain travellers - help for three nights in Spain after Madrid
 

We are staying in Madrid for three nights (couple and college age son), and then after that we have three nights remaining in Spain. We need to be at the Madrid airport the following morning to fly back to the states.

Originally, I had planned to fly to Granada, spend three nights there, and then fly back to Madrid early the next morning, and then check in for our international flight. However, because the travel day is a Sunday I can't find any morning flights out of Granada that would get us from Granada to Madrid early enough to make the connection.

One option is to spend two nights in Granada, fly back to Madrid and spend the last night either in downtown Madrid or at the airport.

I've been reading recent trip reports, though, and see some glowing reports about Segovia and the nearby villages.

What would you do? see Granada for two nights? rent a car and tour Segovia and area? Other suggestions? I'm quite torn since I've wanted to see the Alhambra but this seems like a complicated/ in-out way to do so.

Also, by way of background we will our trip consists of 3 nights in Lisbon/3 in Madrid and then this final leg.

Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

What time of year are you traveling? What time is your flight home from Barajas airport?

To keep in really simple and not venture too far from Barajas airport, I'd rent a car and tour Segovia and the Segovia province for your 3 days, maybe spending your last night in Pedraza.

From Pedraza to the airport takes under 90 min. from door of Pedraza's Hospedería de Santo Domingo to car rental return at T1 with light Sunday morning traffic.

Shoud have added that fellow posters ekscrunchy, amsdon and I have all done this.

We are travelling next month, in June. Our flight from Barajas is approx. 11:25.

Maribel, also, do you have any experience with the spain-select apartments for Madrid? There will be four of us in Madrid. Their apartments look very nice and appear to be well located.

Hi,


We just stayed at one of the Madrid Spain-select apts, the one at Plaza de la Paja. Is that one you are considering?

I liked the location and the apt. The problem is that eventhough it is a two bedroom apt the second bedroom is miniscule. We had to bring one of the beds to the living room (which is spacious) and my son and daughter took turns sleeping there.

This was our first experience renting an apt during vacation. Although I will "never say never", I found out that apts are not for us. I rather stay at a hotel.

Cruiseluv,

We are looking at the Plaza Mayor apartments. Tell me about your apartment experience - curious to hear why it was not for you.

Flyingaway,
If the flight leaves at 11:25, I wouldn't feel comfortable getting to Barajas any later than 9 am, just to leave myself plenty of cushion.

I don't have any personal experience with Spain-Select or Friendly Rentals, because for just the two of us, my husband and me, apts. are really not a great money saver for a stay under 7 days.
But several Fodorites have used both agencies and have given reports here. Maybe you can find them with the new and improved advanced search function.

Since you have to depart from Madrid, why not put Granada in the middle rather than the end? If you are flying from Lisbon to Madrid, could you not go straight on to Granada for two nights and spend your last four nights in Madrid? I don't know what is available, but are there flights from Lisbon to Granada?

While I love Granada, IMHO, Toledo & Segovia are just as beautiful and both make great day trips from Madrid. They are both also lovely places to spend a night. You could also visit Seville for a couple of days. All great options.

Flyingaway,

The Plaza Mayor apts do look beautiful.

It wasn't for us (specially for me) because it was a bit too much like being at home without the same comforts I have there (ie reuse towels, nobody making the beds or tidying for me , bathrooms getting all wet due to lack of shower curtain/ or ripped curtain, etc.) . In our case I found the "check-in" process awkward. We had to wait outside the building for 15-20 mins for the Spain Select representative to arrive ( eventhough I had called him from the airport as requested). I was also surprised that he was very ill informed about things such as nearby food stores, internet cafe, metro, etc. Also, the whole issue with the 2nd bedroom being so small did impact us negatively.

However, if in the future we are again traveling with our kids (adult/ young adult) I would consider staying in an apt if it is a much cheaper option than booking two rooms.

I think we are somewhat of an anomaly as most people that rent seem to like doing that vs hotel.

Thanks everyone for all your helpful replies.

I think what we have decided to do is tour Segovia and nearby regions. Do people have recommendations as to whether to spend two nights in Segovia or to stay at different locations? Also, any suggestions for routes would be appreciated.

I'm still undecided as to whether rent an apartment or get a "family room" in one of the hotels in Madrid and would appreciate any suggestions.

To keep in simple, you might want to spend the two nights in Segovia, making it your base, where you'll have multiple lodging options, from budget to moderately expensive. And do day trips to Pedraza, Sepúlveda and the Hoces del Duratón (Segovia's "Grand Canyon") or Avila or do some of the "castle route". There's lots to do and see in the Segovia province.

What is your total per night budget for your Madrid lodging? If we know that, we can give better suggestions as to hotel alternatives in the Plaza Mayor/Barrio de las Letras area.

Maribel, I'd like to spend under 200 Euros a night in Madrid. The first night, there will be four of us, then my daughter heads back and there will only be three of us, but in any event we will need a large room. Thank you!

Hi Flyingaway,
There have been some under 100 euro rates for doubles at the 3 star Hotel Prado, where cruiseluv and I stayed in late March. My room rate then was 77 euros for a 3 night stay. They do offer a discount for 3 nights or for advanced booking online. But it really depends on your dates in June.
www.pradohotel.com

There's the 2 star Hotel Plaza Mayor, which does have a triple or two (for those last 2 nights)
www.h-plazamayor.com

But I just checked for the last weekend of June (26.27,28), and a triple wasn't available there.

The Room Mate Mario has doubles available for some dates in June for 100 euros, which include buffet breakfast.
www.room-matehotels.com

Thank you. I will look at these. And also do you know anything about the Petit Palace hotels? I've been looking at the Petit Palace Posada del Peine. And the Hostal Adria Santa Ana - only thing that worries me is the stairs, but otherwise it seems very nice.

I've been looking at AutoEurope for rental cars based on recommendations on this forum.

I do know the Petit Palace Posada del Peine, but it doesn't really appeal to me. I don't know why-maybe because of the pink walls in the recpetion area. It may just be a color issue!

But I think it may be over 100 euros for a double. But if you're thinking about those family rooms, they do have space for 4 with a double bed and bunk beds, but just one bath. I was thinking that two inexpensive doubles would give you more privacy and space.

The Adriá Santa Ana is a 3 floor walk-up. It's one of the best, of not the best, of Madrid's many hostals with extras like free Wi-Fi, but a hostal nonetheless. I do have the Adriano and the Adriá Santa Ana in my Madrid file as good options for budgeters.

If price were equal, I'd choose one of the above hotels over a hostal without elevator, but that's just me.

Flyingaway,

Like Maribel, we also got a very good rate at El Prado hotel. For the price(I think we paid around 85Euros ,incl taxes) I was really happy with the hotel and the location can't be beat. My husband and son were sharing a room and for some reason were assigned a triple. It looked to be slightly larger than the double , with 3 individual beds.

All,

Thank you so much for your suggestions. I seem to have a lot of good options, here they are so far:

Hotel Meninas has a Junior Suite (159 Euros, inc breakfast)

Hotel Suite Prado has a room with sofa bed/kitchenette (120 euros plus tax)

Hotel El Prado triple room is 140 Euros plus tax (no breakfast)

Hotel Intur has rooms for 90 Euros (still trying to confirm that they can put an extra bed in the room)

Hotel Preciados has a triple for 146 euros (plus tax, no breakfast)

Hotel de las Letras has a triple for 209 euros (VAT included, no breakfast).

I have ruled on Hotel Plaza Mayor (tripadvisor comments about bedbugs)


I plan to get the triple for four nights, and will get a single for the one night that we need an additional room.

What are your thoughts about the relative pros and cons about these hotels. I'm trying to balance location versus creature comforts. All feedback welcome.

Maribel, we've also booked two nights in Segovia at the Hotel Infante Isabel and I'm really looking forward to that.

Thanks everyone
Flyingaway

Hotel Intur,
Housed in a former palace, behind El Corte Inglés shopping complex facing the square. Pretty atrium lounge, folks seem to like it. Rates always discounted here. Solid budget choice.

Hi Flyingaway,
Sorry about that. Accidentally erased the major portion of my post. Here it is-

Hotel Meninas-
We suffered through considerable early morning street noise on our last stay there (recycling collection, noise from revelers leaving the Viuda Negra club across the street, construction on Opera square), because our windows weren't double glazed. I've seen the jr. suite there, which is quite nice, but I believe it's an exterior. I would inquire about that. But I believe they don't guarantee interior rooms.
The Meninas offers the best deal overall with the breakfast (and it's quite plentiful).
Near the Royal Palace and Opera House but a longer walk (20 min.) to the Prado. It's quite a stylish little place, but they really need to insulate the front rooms better (the de las Letras has done a superb job with this while retaining the historic facade).

Suite Prado
Right behind the Hotel Prado on a pedestrian street. Big enough rooms for 4 (in one large space) but no utensils provided in the kitchenettes (unless that has changed). A 4 star that seems more like a 3 to me. No lobby, limited services, just a front desk. A solid bargain for those who are familiar already with the city and don't need orientation or extras.

Hotel Prado
Plenty of services, like computer in downstairs reading room, breakfast room where one can have just coffee or coffee/croissants (yummy) or the whole buffet, free Wi-Fi, Nespresso machine in lobby for espresso (1.50), machine for water, sodas, lots of brochures, good orientation from desk, decent sized rooms.

Hotel Preciados
Very stylish, contemporary, comfortable, well run 4 star hotel in a busy location. Free mini bar. Gets lots of praise from folks who have stayed there, including friends of ours.

De las Letras,
Very hip design hotel with stylish rooms, lots of amenities including "chill out" roof terrace, popular downstairs lounge/ bar and basement spa/gym. On the ultra busy Gran Vía but in the eastern part, thankfully, which is more attractive. Great soundproofing in the rooms. This hotel has the most creature comforts of all your choices and most definitely the most attractive, spacious rooms & baths, thus the higher tariff.

Hotel Intur,
Housed in a former palace, behind El Corte Inglés shopping complex facing the square. Pretty atrium lounge, folks seem to like it. Rates always discounted here. Solid budget choice.