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Hi Maribel, here is what I have so far about Hotels...
Cordoba - Parador = Euro 100/night available - I have a question about it at the end of this post before we book it... Ronda - Parador = Euro 105/night - available - We are going ahead and making the reservation for this one... Granada - Hotel Roommate Migueletes = Euro 93/night - available - we will probably make reservation here if you think this is a good hotel... Madrid - Roommate Alicia did not work out = Euro 203/night. So still lokking... Seville - Looking at http://www.sevilla5.com for some apartments. My questions to you are: 1. Cordoba parador - I know it is not the regular parador like, but I am hoping it should still be good... How is its location? Also, is there something else that we should consider in Cordoba? 2. For Madrid in Sevilla, if possible, we wanted to stay in a more spanish place with a courtyard etc... do you any such place with a good location in mind? Thanks! |
Hi vibhav,
I completely forgot your overnight in Córdoba-sorry! Although I'm a big Parador fan, since you won't have a car for Córdoba, and this modern style Parador is outside of town, you'd need to rely a taxi from the AVE station to get you out there, then taxi back into town for sightseeing, then taxi back in the evening. You'd then lose those Youth Card discount savings with the taxi fares. And since you're looking for a hotel somewhere with a patio, meaning Andalusian flavor/ambiance/charm, you should stay in town in the Judería (car FREE!). You'll find that in spades in a Judería located hotel. Within that €120 more or less budget, consider: Hospedería El Churrasco for €130. Number one in popularity on Trip Advisor, belongs to the excellent restaurant of the same name www.elchurrasco.com Also dee the JPMoser review of it: www.jpmoser.com/elchurrasco.html Casa de los Azulejos, a member of the romantic boutique group, Rusticae, superior double or suite (€100/120) www.casadelosazulejos.com If you're looking for something more "hotel like", there's the Eurostars Maimónides, next to the Mezquita. I haven't stayed there since it became a Eurostars. My favorite hotel is the new 5 star Hospes Palacio del Bailío, but it's way beyond your budget at over €200. For Sevilla, the www.sevilla5.com should have some apartments in complexes with patio-a standard architectural element in Seville houses, especially in the Santa Cruz quarter. The Hotel Alcántara, sister to Alminar, should be in your price range, (low season then, probably under 100), and their double superior can easily sleep 3. And the hotel has an interior courtyard. www.hotelalcantara.net In Granada, the Migueletes is very popular, and it does have an elevator, but I would request one of their largest rooms (not the Alhambra suite with, cause it's almost as pricey as the Parador!) and one not next to the elevator or directly facing the courtyard. Noise. But you have to carry your luggage 100 yards from the street (Carrera del Darro) down an alley to access the hotel, since taxis won't come in. I'm thinking of your 3 yr. old and stroller, etc. Some rooms here are up a flight of steps tucked away in nooks and crannies, and the brk. room is located in the cellar. On their online booking service, they seem to require two rooms for 2 adults and 1 child under 12, so I would email them directly, if you haven't already. The other Room Mates I didn't have time to see when we were there in Feb. (may not have opened yet), but I like the Realejo neighborhood, where the Shalma is located, and the Leo is right downtown, with everything easily accessible rather than tucked away in a maze. But...they have a very contemporary/trendy look, typical of the Room Mates, which may not be the style you're seeking. But I might mix contemporary with Old Andalusian on this trip so that you can experience both. About Madrid: A hotel with pretty interior closed atrium (but not typically Andalusian patio with tiles, flowers, fountain) would be the Hotel Intur Palacio San Martín, a former embassy, with rates around your budget. www.hotelinturpalacio.com Another aparthotel, like the Jerónimos, but with an interior courtyard, is the VP Jardín de Recoletos in the swank Salamanca district right off Paseo de Recoletos, near Plaza de Cibeles. Not too far from Retiro Park. These fully serviced aparthotels are good for families. But... their wkd. rates are 133, but after Xmas with little business traffic, they might offer a good discount, particularly for 5 nights. www.vphoteles.com/recoletos.asp Just a thought or two... Hope this helps! |
Thank you so much Maribel!! You are just amazing... :-)
Cordoba Hotels: Here is what we have found so far: Hospedería El Churrasco for €130 - Available - Looks great but slightly expensive... We could go with this one if you say that it must be experienced... Eurostars Maimónides, next to the Mezquita - How are Eurostars in general? The location looks very good and the price too... so wanted to ask your opinion of eurostars in general... Casa de los Azulejos, €100 - We read on Tripadvisor that it is off the way and most attractions are more than 15 minutes walk... what is your opinion? For Sevilla: 1. Hotel Alcantara - €90/night available - looks good and has very good reviews as well... 2. From Sevilla5.com we have either Catedral/ Hernando Colón apartment available for €106/night or Santa Cruz (Burladero #2) available from the same price... We can not decide between the three choices... is staying near cathedral a good thing or should we try to stay in Santa Cruz? Madrid: Hotel Room-mate Oscar is available for €118/night. I don't know how good a location is for that hotel. Can you say something about it? I think LEO and SHALMA were not available for our dates... let me double check that though... Ronda - Parador Fixed Granada - Roommate Migueletes is fixed. We can not decide between the standard room €96/night vs. the executive room €118/night. I think since we only have to walk with luggage once in to the hotel and once out of the Hotel, we should be fine walking 100 yards from the point the taxi drops us... Thanks so much for all your advise and suggestions... |
Oh, I think I mixed up Shalma and Leo, which are in Granada and not in Madrid... Sorry about that... Both of those are also available...
I also agree with your comments that we should experience both contemporary and traditional andalusian flavors... Thanks and sorry for the confusion! |
vibhav,
I see you've been really busy and productive in your hotel research! About Córdoba: The Eurostars chain in general is fine-I know the new one in Segovia next to the aqueduct but don't know how Eurostars has renovated or changed the Maimónides since I stayed there. Two very reliable posters here have had recent, pleasant stays. It's right in the thick of things, which has its good and bad points-easy access to the Mezquita across the road but heavy with tourist traffic and next to the tourist trinket shops, but that's part and parcel of staying smack dab in the Judería. So, if what is most important to you is handy location, choose the Maimónides. Your moneyO:) Also it's more "hotel like" with 82 rooms versus the Hospedería Churrasco's eight ornate/antique style bedrooms. Do you prefer small or large? About Seville: I like staying near the cathedral-many posters here do-and it might be easier for you with your 3 yr. old. but that H. Colón doesn't have an elevator, and it's really very, very close to the cathedral, which might make it noisy-don't know. The Santa Cruz quarter is great for first-timers who seek romance -that quintessential Andalusian Moorish maze of whitewashed, flower bedecked town houses, very narrow cobblestone streets (some too narrow for cars), pretty squares filled with orange trees and central gurgling fountain (Plaza Santa Cruz). Delightful just to get lost in and to wander soaking up the atmosphere. But it's also become quite touristy due to the sheer numbers of hotels/hostals located there. That said, the location of those apartments is terrific-right on the Plaza de los Venerables with two great tapas bars, Casa Román and Hostería del Laurel, of Don Juan Tenorio fame. Whichever you choose, just be prepared for some street noise-unavoidable in those locations. I like the look of the Burladero 2 better than H. Colón myself, but again, that's just me. I'd put a great deal of faith in the opinion of the folks at sevilla5, as they're the experts. And be sure to read one of their agent's wonderful web site, www.exploreseville.com which is a true treasure-trove of info about the city-a labor of love of its extremely knowledgeable webmaster. About Granada: For the Migueletes I would certainly choose the executive. The standard rooms run small and narrow. And remember the steps issue. The Shalma and Leo are located outside the maze-like Albaicín, in downtown locations. About Madrid: I did like the rooms at the Oscar when I toured it in April, but I don't see it as a family type of place-more of a young singles or couples place-it has a hip vibe and bar/lounge that would appeal most to urban party-ers. Since it opened the rooftop pool and made it into a private club, charging an admission fee to hotel guests from noon-8 pm, it hasn't been getting great reviews on Trip Advisor-be sure to read them. It's located on the edge of the gay district of Chueca, if that matters, on not one of Madrid's prettiest squares. I just don't see it being really right for the 3 of you. In general, for your accommodations I would do a mix- a handy fully serviced apartment-Where do you need it most, at the end for 5 nights in Madrid or at the beginning for 3 nights in Seville? a traditional Andalusian hotel with all the Andalusian trimmings including that patio you're seeking a Parador (got that in Ronda!) and a contemporary, "new Spain" style property But that's juat what I would do. Do you prefer chains or are you happy at an independent boutique property? Remember you need to choose what best fits your family's traveling style. Again, just some thoughts... |
Maribel, I am kidnapping Vibhavīs thread, but I want to tell you that you have just saved me !
I am going this weekend to Segovia for the Hay Festival (coming and going every day from Madrid). I was trying to find a place in Segovia that was a bit different, and I have found your recommendation of Di-Vino. I have just booked a table for 1:30. Thanks ! Cova |
Hi cova,
Since you really saved me WAY, way more than once, I'm really happy that I could save you! Hope you like it. Speaking of Córdoba, did you stay at the Maimónides when you went down for Semana Santa (or I am just dreaming that?) If so, you could tell vibhav about it... |
Hi Maribel,
yes, we did stay there in 2006. We were very lucky with the price they gave us because we were staying the whole week. I donīt know if it has been renovated since. The room was great, on a corner overlooking the Mezquita, and that was amazing specially at night with the processions. We didnīt have breakfast at the hotel, opting for grabbing a coffee and a pastry at any bar. Itīs very much a question of big hotel against typical patio house. We chose it because our first options (a couple of patio places) were booked for Thursday (the big Holy Week night in Cordoba) and there was the possibility of watching the processions from the room late at night. It was nice, but I think that next time I will probably go for the patio ones. And now to sleep. I am getting the 8:30 AVE tomorrow, and then my first conference is at 11:00 am. "Fascinated by Spain", it sounds good. Cova |
Thanks, cova,
Hope you enjoy the Hay Festival. I'd really like to attend the "1968 en España, comienza el camino hacia la democracia" talk by Paul Preston. Boo-hoo. We can never go in Sept. Lucky you! Now, vibhav, You have a SUPER reliable Spaniard assuring you that the Eurostars is just fine. I think it boils down to what style you prefer. On with your planning! |
Thank you Cova and Maribel for the assurance that the Eurostar Maimonides is a good choice in Cordoba... We like the idea of a very central location with that one as we will be in Cordoba the first two days after flying in and might not be in a state to do too much walking around...We have made our reservation there.. Even though we were very very enthralled by the Hospederia Churrasco which would have given us the andalusian boutique style feel... It was tough to let it go ... but for a price difference of 60 Euros, we could not justify it to ourselves :-~ ... we are not on too strict of a budget but just trying to make somewhat sensible choices if we can...
As I said earlier, we have booked the parador at Ronda, so definitely looking forward to that ... For Seville, we are contemplating between the Alcantara and the Amadeus... Any specific feedback on any of those? Any particular pros and cons to consider given our situation with a 3 year old ... My wife is sifting thorough the trip advisor reviews to be able to make an informed decision... Maribel, if you have seen any particular useful feedback from amy of the posters on any of these, that will be very helpful... Both of their location seems to nearby to each other in the Santa cruz district and 5 mins walk to the central sights... The Amadeus unique music theme seems alluring... Also, any opinions about the new addition next door to the Hotel Amadeus called the La Musica de sevilla... In the email response, they also offered rooms in that new addition of rooms... We are planning to book the executive room, following your advice, at the Migueletes in Granada... Still looking for something in Madrid ... Bummed that Alicia is not available in Madrid ... Thanks for the warnings about the Oscar in Madrid ... We completely agree and will be looking at something else in madrid ... My wife is researching the accomodations one city at a time ... She is also very interested in the Arabic baths/ hammams ... Are they as good as they are touted to be? She wants to try it for the experience .. But would like to go with me and my son which I am not sure will be possible ... Not sure if a 3 year old will be welcome at such a place ... We are not too big on leaving him with a baby sitter ... Anycase, do you have any favorites amongst the various baths in Madrid, Seville and Cordoba ... Once we get all the accomodations done, we will move onto the sightseeing plans, exepriences like flamenco, hammams etc and then obviously the FOOD :-) ... |
Vibhav, I have been to the baths you mention both in Madrid and Cordoba.
I donīt think a lot of it. They are OK, but after 1 hour or so you end up a bit bored. Although I am happy to be able to say "been there, done that". I donīt think that they allow kids of that age in the baths. Also, you should know that the water can be very cold and very hot, and that would be uncomfortable for the child. I can try and give them a call asking about the kidīs situation, if you want. Bye, Cova |
Hi vibhav,
I agree with you about Córdoba and the Maimónides. Since these are your first two days, at the beginning you need a more "full service hotel" in a very handy location both to acclimatize and to sightsee easily. Sound choice and a money saver to boot! O:) In Seville, the Alcántara and the Amadeus locations are similar, just 2 blocks apart, right in the heart of the romantic Santa Cruz quarter. And both are very popular, are nice, small 2 star hotels, have been positively reviewed here (and have a huge # of Trip Advisor reviews) and represent a good value. The differences I see: The Amadeus/La Música has a more charming, quintessentially Seville look with pretty Moorish tiles, lanterns, oil paintings, antique furnishings, high quality linens, and that classical music theme along with pianos for guests' use. The Alcántara has more of a sleek, modern and pared down look (bare laminate wood floors, more contemporary furnishings), although with that typical Seville courtyard and roof terrace. Both have coffee, tea available 24/7. Both the Amadeus and Alcántara are located on small pedestrian streets. But at the Amadeus, I'd request an upper floor room (hotel has elevator), since the downstairs rooms that I saw, located in the back, right beyond the parlor, lack for privacy and are dark. When guests are playing the piano, it would be hard to take a siesta (but piano music stops at 11 pm). The first floor is where the coffee/tea/hot chocolate machine is, and the open railing above the parlor allows noise up to that floor. So a 2nd floor room would be quieter. The rooms in La Música have been reviewed here too. This new annex is located directly on San José (extension of Santa María la Blanca) so front facing room can get some late night street noise, but that's really inevitable when staying in this late to bed neighborhood. But La Música only has 6 rooms with newer, more up to date baths, and would give you the feel of more privacy and of living in a very prettily decorated family home, which I find appealing. To me those rooms just look even more inviting. So it would be my choice. And it would give you much of the boutique feel that you would have found at El Churrasco. Does this help? In Madrid the hotel rates seem to jump on 12/27-29-29, except at the 2 star Hotel Plaza Mayor, where they're actually discounted until Dec. 29. A triple goes for 95, which is regularly 115. I do see availability at the Room Mate Alicia but with steep prices for the executive rm., and the booking function tells me that it's limited to adults only. About the hammam/baths: A session at a hammam, with bath followed by massage followed either by Moroccan tea or by dinner and belly dancing seems like a couples type of entertainment or evening out. But you can just go to take the baths only. But I would think it might tedious for a 3 yr. old. On the www.hammamspain.com they do offer a reduced children-under-12 price of 24 euros. But it can be an expensive 2-3 hrs. for a family of 3. There are 2 hammams in Granada. One belongs to the Al Andalus group and the other can be seen here: www.aljibesanmiguel.es Here's the link for the one in Sevilla: www.airedesevilla.com Both are open every day except 12/25 but all require reservations. This could be something you'd want to do in Granada on 12/24 when other things are closed. Just my thoughts again...and continued good luck in your planning! |
Hi cova,
Your post crossed with mine. vibhav, Agree with cova about being boring for a 3 yr. old, and your son would probably be the only young child there. Also the cold and hot water-might not like that at all. |
Hi vibhav,
Just a little correction: The annex of the Amadeus, La Música, has 12 rooms rather than 6-half face the street, some with balcony and the other half face the interior patio. Both the Amadeus-La Música and Alcántara are represented by www.innsofspain.com so you can read the reviews and guest feedback there to get a better sense of how they compare. I think you'll find that La Música sounds most appealing of the 3. These rooms have flat screen TV. Also Room Mate Migueletes is represented by both Inns of Spain and i-escape.com so you should look at their reviews as well. Have fun deciding! A couple of really excellent reports on Andalucía for your reading pleasure- http://tinyurl.com/4scad6 http://tinyurl.com/3rge2b |
Awesome information, Maribel...So, the hotel scene is:
1. Cordoba - Eurostar Maimónides (Done) I think wife is happy as well since she conned me into buying a decent souvenir with the saved money! :-) 2. Seville - Hotel Amadeus (room in the new portion facing the courtyard) - Done 3. Ronda - Parador (Done) 4. Gradana - Hotel Migueletes Excutive Room - (Done) 5. Madrid - Hotel Plaza Mayor (Don't like the look of the hotel at all but just went ahead and booked it) We might end up changing it upon further research...These are last 5 days in Spain after a long trip, I would like something better... :-) Car - Alamo car rental done. Pick up at Sevilla Airport and Drop off at Granada Train Station. Do you think picking up car at some place inside Sevilla city would be better of just take taxi/train to the airport and take the car from there? Also, put in request for a toddler car seat. Now comes the food... with a 3 year old kid, I don't anticipate us going to any fancy restaurant!! :-) good street-side or inexpensive authentic Spanish food is what we are looking for...ambiance is not the most important thing with a kid! :-) We will read your guides in detail to look at restaurant recommendations and then ask questions...Also, both of us are vegetarians but we don't want to go for primarily vegetarian restaurants...if a restaurant is good and it has a couple of vegetarian things, we would rather go to that place than going to an all vegetarian place whose food sucks! :-) Also, we need to start looking into detail about what all do we want to see in all these places...fun..fun!! :-) Thanks so much for your help again, Maribel... |
Vibhav, I can recommend you two very good vegetarian restaurants in Madrid :
"La isla del tesoro", in Manuela Malasaña (near the Tribunal metro station) and "Al natural", in Zorrilla just behind the Congreso de los Diputados. Both of them are good and the food is quite tasty. "La isla del tesoro" is probably more imaginative than the other one, but I cannot choose among them. I had dinner last Saturday evening at "Al natural", and everything was really good. I should go and look for their cards and give you more details. Bye, Cova |
Awesome Cova, I have added your recommendations to my list!
If you can think of any real good spanish restaurants, that may serve a couple of vegetarian things, please let me know about them as well... Thanks again! |
Hi vibhav,
You've made good progress. 1. Córdoba. There's a very large souvenir store right across from the Maimónides where my friend bought her Majórica pearls. 2. Sevilla. I can't see why you won't love La Música. Good choice 3. Granada. For eating, make sure you hit Azafrán right on the Paseo de los Tristes (continuation of Carrera del Darro, beyond your hotel). It has nicely prepared, contemporary style dishes for good prices and is open continuously-very handy for those who have a hard time with those late Spanish meal hours. Azafrán serves some vegetarian dishes. Do you eat fish? See the menu: www.restauranterutadelazafran.com 4. Ronda. Remember to sign up for the Amigos plan to get your free parking in the handy Parador underground garage. Parking in Ronda is tough. And when you arrive, ask if a corner room is available. They have a few that are standard rather than superior that have great views. 4. Madrid. I understand. The Plaza Mayor is a simple, serviceable 2 star that fits the budget issue. But you get more bang for your buck charmwise and pricewise in the 3 southern cities than in more expensive Madrid. I'm sensing that the full service apartment idea doesn't hold much appeal. I've checked the 4 star Meninas for your dates but price is 195 for 3. Ditto to the 3 star Hotel Prado, 4 star Lope de Vega, 4 star Paseo del Arte, 4 star Quo and the 3 star High Tech/Petit Palace properties plus the Vinccis-beyond your budget for those dates. The trouble with finding something more upscale lies with your budget of 120 for 3 during the busy Xmas-New Year's period. Sorry! About the car rental airport pick up/train station return: Since driving anywhere in downtown Granada is a headache, I would reverse this: On 12/18 pick up your rental in Seville at the train station (Santa Justa-Av Kansas City 32) and drop off at the Granada airport, which is a snap to reach. It's Alamo's GRXC71 location, carretera del aeropuerto. (use www.viamichelin.com for your route planning). I always find it much easier/smoother to pick up a car and get OUT of the city than it is to bring it back IN to a city, particularly one with poor signposting, lots of streets now closed to cars without permits and a Moorish maze. Taxi fare from the airport to the Migueletes will be about 28 euros, but you'll save time and hassle. And from Granada's train station you'd still need a taxi to the Migueletes. Print out the directions to the Migueletes from the web page. Some airport taxi drivers don't know the Albaicín hotels well. Driver will drop you off at the entrance to the alley on Carrera del Darro where you'll walk down to the hotel entrance. Hope this helps. |
Hi cova,
Our posts crossed again! vibhav, I like cova's recos. Been wanting to try La Isla del Tesoro myself. It gets a star for special charm in my metrópoli guide. Hera are their webs: www.alnatural.biz www.isladeltesoro.net Another cheap vegetarian near the Reina Sofía art museum- El Granero de Lavapiés at Argumosa 10. Open 1 to 4 only except Fri. when it opens at night from 8:30-11:30. One that's been around for a long time, in Old Madrid is El Estragón at Costanilla de San Andrés at the pretty Plaza de la Paja (La Latina). Also handy to the Plaza Santa Ana is an old standby, Artemisa on Ventura de la Vega 4. Easy walk from the Plaza Mayor Hotel. www.restauranteartemisa.com |
And another (haven't tried-maybe cova knows it?)
Yerbabuena at Bordadores 3, near the Royal Place and Royal Theate. www.yerbabuena.ws From Mon.-Fri. they serve a 3 course menú del día for only 13 euros, including bread, dessert, drink. |
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