Quiet Accommodations in Barcelona and Madrid
 

Some travelers can have a nice sleep on a bench in Time Square. We need a quiet environment... In order to start looking for accommodations in those two cities, I need to first sort out the more quiet, residential areas.

A list of those would be appreciated.

And if one cares to add the name of a nice, clean and inexpensive hotel (we're willing to consider B&B as well) in such area, I'd be obliged...

Quiet isn't a word often used to describe Spain's major cities, but any quality hotel should be able to provide the quiet environment you're seeking.

I also think in a big city, this depends more on the location of your room in a hotel, most likely. I suppose there could be some quiet sidestreet, but in central Madrid, that isn't too likely IMO.

However, I will tell you that I've stayed at the Hotel Intur Palacio San Martin in Madrid and love it because it is a great location, but it is somewhat away from the major big streets. But, the main reason is that I get a room that overlooks an interior courtyard area rather than the street (if you got a room in that hotel overlooking the street, there would be some noise, also, even if it isn't the Gran Via or something like that). Some people want the balcony or outer natural light, but I'm not in th ehotel much in the daytime anyway and don't care. Their rooms that only overlook the interior atrium are very quiet.

It is very reasonably priced for a 4* hotel in Madrid, but not as cheap as a hostal which I think is what you mean by a B&B. None of the ones I know of in Madrid are in that quiet an area.

Of course if you really want a residential area, you can find it but it will be outside the center city and I don't think will be very convenient.

I could say the same thing for Barcelona. I have stayed in a couple hotels there I liked and the rooms were very quiet, but that's because I specified upper floor, not overlooking main street. They were 4* hotels, also, so even though I liked both, probably not want you want as they were not inexpensive.

hoetl pulitzer is walking distance to all the touristy things but it is tuck away in a small street that you don't feel the hustle and bustle of barcelona. its right next to hotel jazz. it serves a wonderful breakfast and the pool on the roof top (more like a big jacuzzi) is a welcome place to just hang out, grab a drink and enjoy the view. very reasonably prized.

for madrd, hotel alicia was our choice. again, central location and new hotel. close to Salamance district for people watching and shopping. wonderful am/afternoon/pm vibe.

enjoy your trip.

Thanks for the responses so far... Yes, the idea is to find a residential, side street, rather than on "Time Square"... We're prepared to pay around $150-175 for a double-room (end of August, Early Sept.).

I'll look into the hotels mentioned, but would appreciate more ideas, Barcelona, especially....

Thanks.

The quietest place I ever stayed in Madrid is the apartment offered by the Hotel Plaza Mayor.

http://www.loftplazamayor.com/

It is in a busy spot, but the unit itself is in the back of the building.

I also found the Hotel Vueling in Barcelona to be very quiet, even though it is on a major street. I fled to this new (March of last year) hotel from a bad Airbnb rental and I was SO happy there.

http://www.hotelvuelingbyhc.com

Both are at, or under, your budget.

End of August, early September is high season in Barcelona, but low season in Madrid because everyone who can has made their way to the beaches or mountains to get away from the heat.

If you go on booking.com and search for 1 & 2-star properties, something in your price range should pop up. You'll definitely need a place with good A/C.

In Madrid, I stayed at the inexpensive and IMO very well-located Hotel Lope de Vega; it was, at the time, quiet. Nothing fancy, but quite serviceable. No guarantees about its current state, but it looks like it still gets decent reviews.

Thanks, rialtogrl. After some more research, I made a reservation at the Hotel Vueling, room only, no breakfast (adding $30 a day for breakfast seemed too high).

Still need to decide about Madrid.

On a side street near La Sagrada Familia, Hispanos7Suizas, an apart hotel. Ask for a unit on the back side of the building. We also require
Quiet rooms and this was perfect. They are apts and 2BR/2Ba, kitchen, W/D with a hotel like front desk. We used it as a hotel and found it on Maribelsguides.com

mamamia, I had coffee downstairs every morning for 2 euros. $30 is definitely too high. They have nice white wine in the bar too :)

Hispanos7Suizas is hardly inexpensive and may be a bit out of their budget range. An apartment for two is running €220/night the last week of August, first week of September.

We also try for a quiet but central location (of course!) Barcelona - last May stayed 4 nights at The Urban Suites - a reasonably priced 1 bedroom apartment. This turned out to be a terrific location due to the excellent metro one block away, also a couple of blocks from Sants station for airport train connection and train to/from Madrid. Stayed apartment #212 and it was quiet. Here's some photos from our stay there: http://rebeccasnyder.com/gallery.htm...ccomodations/&

We changed our minds and rented a charming B&B in Barcelona for 4 nights. So now looking for a place in Madrid...

Question: what is the main (if there are more than one) train station in Madrid, from which we'll depart for some day trips? I'd rather find a quiet accommodation not too far from that station....

Also, Rebeccah, I see you spent some time in Girona... I saw some photos and got really excited, but having a limited time in Spain, would you definitely suggest we stay overnight there? Isn't a day-trip enough there?

"what is the main ... train station in Madrid"

Atocha. The hotel I mentioned in my earlier post is within walking distance of Atocha, is across the street from El Prado, and is near some areas that are pleasant for dinners and/or drinks (e.g., Plaza de Santa Ana).

If this kind of information isn't covered in the guide book you are using, I would strongly urge you to get another.

Yes, kja, and thanks, I will definitely consider this one seriously...... Truth is, I have a good book, which I will read for general info about Spain, practical things and what to see, but as of now, more than 7 months before our trip, I spent 95% of my time online to decide where to stay....

Although you could go on a day trip to Girona by train, I suggest just spending your 4 days/nights in Barcelona. There's so much to do there, it is a BEAUTIFUL city and getting around on the metro is quick and easy. You won't be bored.

Madrid has two "main stations", Atocha, for day-trips to Toledo, Aranjuez, Alcalá de Henares and Cuenca, and Madrid-Chamartín, for day-trips to Ávila, Segovia, El Escorial and Sigüenza (on the Medieval Train).

www.esmadrid.com/en/siguenza

A couple of months ago, I stayed at the Hotel Ada Palace, right on Gran Via, which is a very busy street in central Madrid. I had a room facing the courtyard, which was very quiet. Even with the window open, I could barely hear the street noise. One evening during my visit, there was a protest on Gran Via, which I could just hear from my room with the window open. I went up to the roof terrace to see what was going on, and from up there, overlooking Gran Via, the protest was pretty loud, but not from my room.

I think the key will be to get a room that overlooks an interior courtyard as others have mentioned and you will be fine.

mamamia2 -- which B&B did you choose in Barcelona? I'm still searching for my trip there in April.

Thanks!

Judy, it's called "Quadrat d’Or" and their website is www.bbquadratdor.com. They have 2 rooms facing the front and 2 facing a courtyard in the back, which is what I chose.

Rebeccah, I saw some photos and read a bit about Girona, and I decided we can't miss it... It's planned for the day we're leaving Barc anyhow, so we're still spending 4 nights there.

Thank you for the information -- I checked the website, looks really pretty! But, unfortunately all 4 rooms are booked the week I'll be in Barcelona.

Thanks again.....back to more research!!

Hi
Stayed in this great centrally located hotel in Madrid. Off a square in a side street it was quiet . Great customer service and good buffet breakfast included. Would stay again .
We found it first at booking.com. but here is a direct link.
http://mario.room-matehotels.com/

Hi

This is the website used by most "Spanish" people to book hotels and hostels www.infohostal.com/en

Best

We ended up booking an apartment at a new place called Eric Vökel Atocha Suites, which is 7 minutes walk from the Atocha train station, from which we plan taking a few day-trips to Toledo and other magical cities around Madrid.

The consideration was first and utmost a quiet area (it's on a side street) and being a clean, modern facility that got some very good reviews.

What a strange/obtuse place to choose to stay in Madrid! Working class neighborhood,quite a trek to Atocha and to any place of cultural interest!
I always get a chuckle when posters ask for hotel suggestions-they rarely follow well intended suggestions and end up choosing something on their own!!!
I wish you sweet dreams!
All you need to do is ask for an interior room and you will have a quiet night!

"...quite a trek to Atocha..." - not according to the map and Google-Map... More like 5 minutes walk to the station. And unless Google-Map is totally misleading, It's also 16 minutes walk to the Museo Nacional del Prado...

Believe me, I did a LOT of research, some based on ideas I got here, but I'm willing to, and still can change my booking... It was VERY important for me to find a QUIET place, in the $150 level, and preferably close to the station, since we plan 2-3 day trips using the train. I was looking for B&B as well, just couldn't find a better alternative...