Where to stay in Madrid
 

My wife and I are in the planning stages of a trip to the Madrid area. We are looking for moderately priced accomodations, they don't have to be right in Madrid. We enjoy out-of-the-way places that have more local charm and flavor. Any suggestions?

Alan, I wish I had a place to suggest, but I'm looking for the same information. I second this request! Can anyone help?

I would advise you to stay in Madrid. It is a fascinating city, with great museums, restaurants, etc. We were just there in beg. of june and stayed at a new hotel called Hotel Nacional, right on Paseo de la Castellana. It faced the Jardin Botanico; 5 minutes walk to Museo del Prado; 2 minute walk to the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. The hotel had just opened last July 1997, thus everything was new and pleasing to the eye. The rates were wonderful $110/night including a fantastic buffet breakfast every morning. You will not be disappointed! Try Restaurante Botin or Rest. Casa Paco, off Calle Cuchilleros: the food was amazing! Buen viaje!

Allen & Meg, <BR>Visit this site called 'www.okspain.org/' and you should be able to look up hotels not only in Madrid but in other cities in Spain as well. <BR>Do enjoy your trip. <BR>Kris

The suburbs/areas surrounding the city centre arent especially charming, you should definitely stay in the centre of Madrid, which is very nice with a unique urban atmosphere. This will locate you close to all major "must sees", but even more important is it that you would stay right in the middle of what Madrid is all about; enjoying life in the streets, the cafès, bars, restaurants. My wife and I went to Madrid in the beginning of June this summer, and stayed at an hotel which is considered to be one of the most unique in Europe, The Mónaco. A former luxury brothel, now a very charming hotel with much of the fabulous décor still intact. All the rooms are different, some are more attractive than others (we stayed at room no. 127), but it is possible to book specific rooms. In spite of its fame, it is not expensive, ptas 7.000 ($45) for single rooms and ptas 10.000 ($65) for double rooms. It is located in Chueca, just two minutes off Gran Via, ten minutes walk to the Prado, in an area known for its good value bars and restaurants and thriving nightlife. The area is very "authentic" spanish, although just a few minutes from major sights you will find yourselves among locals and very few tourists. Highly recommendable ! <BR>

Forget the suburbs - stay IN Madrid. There are scads of reasonably priced to downright cheap accommodations. We found Hostal Lopez using Fodor'd website. (A hostal is like a B&B without the breakfast.) Clean, safe, basic room and provate bath for under $50/night (!) and tremendoously well located.

There are several good web sites for the lower price hotels (called hostals, but not to be confused with youth hostels, they are just budget hotels without restaurants). try using a browser like alta vista or yahoo and searching on hostal + madrid