Has anyone been in, on or near this area recently as I know there is construction going on. Would this be a drawback to staying in the area. I cam considering the Hotel Europa.

When I contacted Hotel Europa a few months ago and asked about the construction, I was told it would all be over by October 2006. Any first hand accounts out there?

I just got an email from the Hotel Europa that the construction was still going on. I am planning to go in May and am very concerned as I would like to stay in that location. I also wonder if the cafe in the pedestrian mall is affected by the construction. I know the hotel construction is finished.

Most of the construction in Puerto del Sol is centered on rerouting/redirecting public transportation and will be ongoing for a while yet. Don't expect it to be completed by May 07.

Would the construction be a drawback from staying there? I am thinking of staying at the Hotel Europa as it is convenient to the on-off busses.

There are constructions in Madrid in many many places, if you wait for them to finish you will probably be too old
Just don't worry and enjoy It is spelled "Puerta del Sol" in case you look for it

There are other hotels very convenient to the hop-off buses such as "Gran Hotel Canarias" that has a bus stop right in front of it. This hotel is reasonably priced in a great location in front of the Prado museum. I was very excited to stay at Hotel Europa this New Years to watch from its balcony the crowd celebrating the countdown but decided not to. The hotel did finished its renovation but the area around the Puerta del Sol is a nightmare. When I come back in January 07 I"ll give an update.