Dritty

I will be traveling to Spain in mid July 2011 with a girlfriend. I would like some recommednations for hotels in Madrid, Granada, Nerja and Barcelona. Our price range is $90 - $125 US, a room with two beds (twin beds are fine but I think that is the stanard). The location is key as we will be spending only 2 - 3 nights in each location. A bathroom and shower is key as well. We will not be spending a lot of time in the hotel, but would like a place that is clean, has some charm of the loation and has some parking avialable (in Granada and Nerja).

On a side note, we are trying to decide on the better locaiton between Nerja, Malaga or Mirabella (with beaches and low key being the deciding factor before heading to Barcelona).

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thank you

Ian

I can put in a good word for the Paraiso del Mar in Nerja. Above the public beach & close to everything - shopping, restaurants, it is great. There is even a nekkid beach 10kms to the west if you are so inclined.

See http://members.rennlist.org/imcarthur/spain3.htm for my trip report & pictures.

Ian

Dritty

Thank you, Ian. The hotel in Nerja looks lovely with a beautiful view.

cruiseluv

Last year in late July I got a great rate at Hotel El Prado in Madrid, near Plaza Santa Ana http://www.pradohotel.com/ , 66 Euros for a twin room (had 2 beds). For addtl 5 euros per person they included breakfast. Free wi-fi and great A/C ( amust for that time of year!).

kimhe

NERJA:
My wife and I have been perfectly happy staying in traditional and almost seafront Hostal Mena in the center of town. Clean, basic, close to everything and great seaviews from the terraces. More than 50 years in business. 45€ for a double in July: http://www.hostalmena.es/hostal/eng/

Underground parking close by, or free parking (so far) at the Huertas field some five mins walking from Hostal Mena.

Relatively small Nerja (pop 20 000) has got eveything that makes it popular with tourists, but it has still retained much of its Andalusian charm. Lots of local atmosphere in the bars and restaurants in the beautiful Barrio antiguo/Old town. Delicious free tapas to chose with every glass of beer/wine/whatever in almost all places in town (1-1,50€). Restaurante La Marina is also one of my favourite seafood freidurias in all of Andalucía, as good as it gets: http://www.guideofnerja.com/pages/gu.../marina_en.htm

About Nerja: http://www.nerjatoday.com/

Hostal Mena would be on the cliff, just to the left of this photo: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2622/...de6a8146_o.jpg

MADRID:
Hostal Persal is great value, some 70-75€ for a double in July. The best location, just off bustling Plaza Santa Ana, close to Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol, the fabulous tapas bars and restaurants in and around Calle Cava Baja, the museums, the best flamenco clubs, jazz clubs etc. etc. http://www.booking.com/hotel/es/madr...madrid.en.html

About the area: http://www.gomadrid.com/sights/plaza-santa-ana.html

BARCELONA:
I would recommend Banys Orientals, 100€ in the great El Born area: http://www.hotelbanysorientals.com/

I've also been perfectly happy at close by but almost half the price Hostal Orleans: http://www.hostalorleans.com/index_eng.htm

About this area in Barcelona: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.c...s/el-born.html

GRANADA:
Several nice and quite affordable places in the first 150 meters up Cuesta de Gomérez towards Alhambra from central and lively Plaza Nueva/Santa Ana (Venecia, Austria, Viena, Landazuri etc). The area: http://granadamap.com/plazanueva.htm

Dritty

Thank you so much for the information. I will definitely look into these. This really helps narrow down what seems to be such a wide search as I'm not familiar with the area.

Thanks again!

AndalucianSunshine

NERJA
The Hostal Hostal Marissal is on the Balcon and a great place to stay, right in the heart of Nerja, I have stayed there many times. I have found places in the side streets to be very noisy especially in the mornings when rubbish is collected etc.Prices from 54 euros per nights, fabulous location