We are planning to visit Spain next January (we all like winter time). We would like to know which is the best neighborhood to stay in Madrid, we are not renting a car, to be close to major attractions, museums, restaurants and shops. Or, close to most of the attractions. My mother and I had already been to Madrid, but my children hadn't(they are 23 and 16 years old). We would like to stay in a 4 star hotel.
Do you have any suggestions?
THANKS everybody!!!

There are three key considerations you have included in your post; month you'll be traveling, ages of travelers, and hotel price range. THANK YOU. Very rarely you see a post that includes this critical info.

Since the travel will be done in January, I would recommend staying close to the Museum Triangle. I would also recommend a place with a nice restaurant for the possibility of an evening you would not want to step out. Also, a place with a gym/indoor entertainment for a bit of change of pace without having to venture too far. I think you need to take a look at Hotel Gran Meliá Fénix.

Hi lery,
A resounding second to the suggestion of staying in or near to the museum triangle (Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen) for easy sightseeing.

We spent the first week of Jan. in Madrid this past winter and will do so again this Jan.
I've spent the day hotel pricing for our upcoming stay. Our budget is 150 or under.

We were surprised at how mild the weather was during our Jan. stay, and we were able to spend most of the day and evening walking about the city comfortably.
(But one never knows about Jan. weather....)

My two favorite 4 stars in this area:

Gran Hotel Canarias, a 4 star PLUS (150 € on utell.com)-our very, very favorite.
www.sc-hoteles.com

Catalonia Las Letras. New, elegant and classy
www.hoteles-catalonia.es
(look for promo rates later on)

2 more on the lower end (much more savory, pretty) of the congested Gran Vía, with solid soundproofing and easily walkable to sights:

Hotel de las Letras New and hip, which the 23 and 16 yr. olds would really like.
www.hoteldelasletras.com

H10 Villa de la Reina
www.h10.es

The Gran Hotel Canarias, Hotel de las Letras, Catalonia de las Letras have good in-house restaurants, although they're really not needed, as there is a virtual bounty of restaurants in all price ranges in the Barrio de las Letras area and on the lively Cava Baja-Cava Alta parallel streets in La Latina.

The Gran Meliá Félix is a 5 star, a bit to the north of this area at Plaza Colón (a 10-15 min. walk to the Prado), and Jan. rates are running around 225.
www.solmelia.com
But check www.charming-spain-hotels.com closer to your dates for Dec-Jan promos. Right now the wkd. rate goes for 195.

We stayed at the Crowne Plaza just across from Plaza Espana and la Gran Via. It was very nice, spacious rooms, and very convenient location.

lery and all,
The Crowne Plaza is now closed-being converted into condos, I think.

No matter how old they are, they'll always be your children....

I agree with Maribel in the Canarias, it is really well located. Few people have in mind that the Reina Sofia is in the far end of the triangle, any hotel near this museum will be far from Goya and the Salamanca barrio, which is my favourite. I usually stroll or take the bus from Thyssen to the VIPs cafeteria in the corner Velazquez/Ortega y Gassett (aka Lista), which is where Armani, Versace, etc are located, and they have beautiful windows to look at. Lots of restaurants of any price, and tapas bars as well. I do not go to Plaza Mayor, Gran Via or Latina since I was a student in Madrid, many years ago, so I can't tell.
The NH Sanvy is right beside the Fenix and it is 130euro per room.
When you choose hotel, we'll pass to the restaurant selection, my favourite part.

think crowne plaza is actually being made in to shops and offices. i'd recomend the princesa ( more closer to plaza españa, but even then you still only 10 mins or less from atocha en metro or bus. but for a 4star hotel in the "art triangle" , the NH Nacional cant be beat. its located at paseo el prado, 48.

What makes hotel Canarias more appealing than Las Letras? Location? Price? Space?

I, too, am making a final call on hotels and would appreciate the extra info. Thanks!

thezanmiller,
For me it's a matter of style and location. I know both.

The Gran Hotel Canarias has more appeal for me due to its more classic style and really fantastic location in the middle of the Museum Triange. The Hotel Palace is across the street, the Ritz across the lovely Plaza Cánovas de Castillo with its Neptuno fountain illuminated at night. And there are innumberable great tapas bars and restaurants within an easy walk, some just around the corner.

Rooms at the G.C. do run on the smaller side (interior rooms 03 and 05 are the largest) but are extremely comfortable, with fine linens, heavy draperies and spreads, thick, handwoven carpets from the Royal Tapestry Factory, great soundproofing, Bang & Olufsen TV/internet systems with bathroom speakers, gorgeous dark green marble baths with terrific showers, large, thick towels and bathrobes of Egyptian cotton, slippers, lighted make up mirrors, fine toiletries, turndown service with a flower and chocolates, room service from the Galdós restaurant.. There's also a stylish brasserie downstairs.

I don't find the location of the Hotel De las Letras directly on the bustling, less attractive Gran Vía particularly pleasing (I'm not a Gran Vía fan), although it is located further down towards Plaza Cibeles on the Gran Vía's more urbane, less tawdry, tarnished side. In this section many of the buildings' ornate 19th c. facades have been recently restored, making this stretch look more upmarket and attractive than before. It does share space with the Adolfo Domínguez fashion boutique, and it's an easy walk to one of Madrid's better bargain restaurants, the Glorieta de Montera.

And despite the constant traffic and hub bub of this area, the street facing rooms at the de las Letras are surprisingly quiet, made so by very good double glazing.

Rooms at the D las L (a former mansion) are also quite spacious, and the tariff is lower here. Decor is more Ikea style with simple, clean lines, minimalist designer style (it's a member of the Design Hotel group), flat screen wall mounted TVs, polished wood floors, and the blue, green or dark red walls are stenciled with poetry. Baths have double sinks, bathrobes. And there's a roof top solarium and basement spa plus trendy downstairs lounge and restaurant serving both Spanish and Japanese cuisine.

The De las Letras is a very hip, stylish hotel.
I simply wish it were on the Castellana instead of the Gran Vía.

Hope this helps you to decide.

Maribel,

This is a terrific help. Thank you!
I may even have the opportunity to book at both. (We start our journey in Madrid, and end our trip with one final night there.)

Thanks again!

I would highly recommend Hotel Intur Palacio San Martín. Although it is located in central Madrid between Plaza del Sol and the Gran Via, I think it is a perfectly suitable location for January. The hotel is very reasonably priced at around $100 per night and it is every bit a 4 star quality hotel. The staff is extremely helpful with recommendations on nearby restaurants and shops. I love the energy of the area and it is conveniently located to obtain all kinds of transportation close by. With a 23 old and 16 year old in tow, I would have to imagine you will be doing more than just the museums. Even if you don't stay at Hotel Intur Palacio, make sure to stop by “Pastelería del Pozo” (on Calle del Pozo, near the Puerta del Sol)for croissants and Chocolatería San Ginés (right up the alley, Pasadizo de San Ginés).

I also highly recommend the Hotel Intur San Palacio in Madrid. It was a wonderful hotel and a great central location.

I don't think you are likely to get it for $100, though, that seems highly unlikely to me. Because Madrid is a capital city with business, their rates are a lot lower on weekend than weekdays, and low season weekend rates may be around 100 euro, but not $100 (for a double).

iery,
If you decide to consider the Intur Palacio San Martín...

I've spent the morning checking 4 star Madrid hotel rates for low season, Dec.-Jan. (I do this regularly). I've included this hotel in my Madrid guide, and the very upscale Cellar Tours uses it for its gourmet cooking school stays.

The lowest double room rate I've found available at the San Martín for the winter season is 110€ plus 7% VAT.
This is through www.bancotel.com, and on the hotel's own web site the lowest double rate I've found has been 1 € more.

(On www.talonhotel.com the tariff runs 120€, including VAT. BYW, as of July, one can now buy individual talonhotel coupons at all Viajes El Corte Inglés travel agencies )

www.charming-hotels-spain.com does have special rates with this hotel, but I doubt that you'll find them very much lower, other than in the dog days of August! But the site does give user reviews, which are sometimes helpful.

And jonalex's suggestions of pastires at the Antigua Pastelería del Pozo and churros at Chocolatería San Ginés are spot on! Both not to be missed!