Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Europe
Reload this Page >

What area(s) in Madrid best for moderate price, safety?

Search

What area(s) in Madrid best for moderate price, safety?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 03:38 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
What area(s) in Madrid best for moderate price, safety?

My friend's 21-yr-old daughter and a friend are going to Spain for the entire month of August. They told their mothers they were just buying plane tickets and going.. weren't going to book anything in advance.

Needless to say, moms were not amused and asked me to inquire.

If the girls book an apartment in Madrid, what areas should they stay away from or where should they concentrate their search?

thanks!
sarge56 is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 03:51 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 12,820
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Even in my most adventurous days, I would never travel to Europe without making a reservation for at least the first night.

I've never heard or read about any areas in Madrid that are really dangerous. Maybe I'm being naive, but I would just get a reservation anywhere in the center of town. Around the Puerta del Sol.

I know nothing about apartments. I always stay in a hotel.
Pegontheroad is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 04:01 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Much as I like planning in advance, I recognize lots of people do great winging it. For Spain in August, the cities will have emptied out to a large extent, and there will be great deals probably. I have heard *not* to stay in the Lavapies area. I think the area around Plaza Santa Ana is especially nice.
WillTravel is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 04:03 PM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I don't see that an apartment is a great choice here. Likely they will want to go to a bunch of places in Spain, and they will definitely want good air conditioning in their bedrooms. My feeling is that this is easier with a well-chosen budget hotel than it is with an apartment.
WillTravel is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 04:13 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 8,247
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If they just need accomodation in Madrid for a few nights, i.e. less than a week, any hostal in the central part of town should do. If they want a bit more hipster environment than flamenco meets paella tourist traps, they could check out Chueca. There are quite many affordable hostals on C./ Hortaleza, which is a pedestrian street off Gran Vía. Always felt 100pct safe there, though as I am not a 20something girl my assessment is probably not too relevant.
Cowboy1968 is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 04:49 PM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
www.madridman.com has a good list of accommodations and personal reviews for Madrid.
lincasanova is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 05:50 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 657
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Madridman is amazing. He's been there forever and just keeps growing!
weber6560 is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 06:42 PM
  #8  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks bunches! Appreciate the input!
sarge56 is offline  
Old Mar 30th, 2013, 10:29 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On s trip a few years ago to Madrid in August, I got an excellent deal through solmelia.com . Sign up for specials, and there are specials for other cities too. This was for a centrally-located hotel, and included breakfast. And the hotel had excellent air conditioning.
WillTravel is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2013, 04:12 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Actually, I think he is physically in Columbus, Ohio.
lincasanova is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2013, 04:16 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,858
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I wouldn't worry too much about central Madrid, I don't think Plaza Santa Ana is all that as much as is touted, besides, it will be more expensive there.

A month in Spain in August is an unusual plan. I agree that you might find it more difficult getting AC in apartments, or cheaper hotels.
Christina is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2013, 07:39 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,492
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I thought they were traveling around Spain for a month IN August.
lincasanova is offline  
Old Mar 31st, 2013, 02:37 PM
  #13  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,741
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Their plan is to spend the entire month of August, this year, in Spain.
sarge56 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CanadianJane
Europe
19
May 20th, 2017 04:46 AM
kerrylou
Europe
5
Aug 10th, 2016 06:53 AM
ekscrunchy
Europe
41
May 16th, 2012 02:46 PM
storken
Europe
6
Oct 12th, 2009 01:36 AM
TPaxe
Europe
6
Oct 9th, 2009 08:50 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On



Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -