one night in barcelona/madrid- places to stay...
 

one day in Barcelona and then one in Madrid the end of July beginning of august. . and was wondering if if you could recommend some hostels or budget hotels ( 100 euro around or less)
traveling with my husband and one year old.

Hostal Orleans in Barcelona is great value and in the best location, in wonderful El Born and close to "everything". Basic hotel standard, private bathroom, tv, safe, A/C, 24 desk etc. Some 70€ for a double: http://www.hostalorleans.com/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/hostal-orleans.en.html

The area: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

In Madrid I can highly recommend both Hostal Persal and Hotel Plaza Mayor, both in the very heart of the city and some 90-100€. Hotel standard:

Persal: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/persalmadrid.en.html

Plaza Mayor: http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/plaza-mayor.en.html

The area:
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-mayor.html
http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

Considerably lower prices in the Madrid hotels Persal and Plaza Mayor now. (July/August is low season because of the heat). You could get a double room for some 45-60€, and a triple for some 70€.

I wouldn't stay in either city for 1 night with a baby,I suggest get a place near the airport. Then take the metro into the city.
Be aware, Madrid is super hot at this time of year, usually high 90's to 100-not very good for sight seeing for adults!

how long is the ride from the airport to the city on the metro?
is it a lot cooler? just cheaper?
we have a day layover in each place.

The metro entrance at the Madrid Barajas airport is quite a long walk once you pick up your luggage.Nowadays I take the airport bus,5 euros and it stops right in front of the terminal-it takes about 30-40 min:
http://www.esmadrid.com/en/barajas-airport-express
It stops downtown at Cibeles and the Atocha train station.Try to stay close to either place so you can take it back to the airport.
I've stayed at Hostal Prim,very clean and jut a couple of minutes from the bus stop:
http://www.hostalprim.com/en
However, if you choose to stay overnight near the airport just make sure the metro stop(Barajas) is close to your hotel.

thank you kimhe the hotel plaza mayor looks perfect, good reviews and very affordable.

Take a look at Hotel Banys Orientals in Barcelona, also in El Born and 105€ for a double: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/en/
http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/banys-orientals.en.html

The Plaza Mayor has lost some of its appeal -probably due to popularity! Be aware that there are rooms that are just miserable with window looking out on a dismal wall!If you take the airport bus you will need to take a taxi because it's quite a hike from Atocha station-all uphill and no metrostation close by.I would choose Hotel Persal over the Plaza Mayor!

Just got back from Barcelona. STayed at the Marina View B&B. Great location and the manager Paddy was superb.