Wildfire

cmeyer-
MFNYC mentioned the Carlos V, the Palacio San Martin is basically around the corner from there on the Plaza Descalzas. they are owned by INTUR, thats the website to look for (sorry, i dont have it in bookmarks anymore)

the westin will be very expensive if i remember correctly

In Seville you will want to get something downtown, I once stayed out near Parque Maria Luisa, which though very nice was quite isolated. Last year my parents stayed at Los Seises practically right next to the cathedral but were disappointed. take it for what its worth.
hope this helps.

zbjoon

cmeyer54 -

I got back a couple of days ago from a 45 days trip to Andalucia and Madrid.

I visited the cities/towns you have listed in your choices 1 and 2. I think if you only have a short time, you want to drop Malaga. It is a nice and relaxing city to visit only if you have already seen the other sites you have listed. If you go to Malaga, the must sees in my opinion are going to Gibralfar to see the panaromic view of Malaga, and Picasso museum.

It seems you are pretty much set in where you want to go. AVE train from Madrid to Sevilla is the right way to go. It takes 2 and half hours. Reserve in advance though. You are travelling with teenagers and maybe is more comfortable to have a car with the exception of parking. I heard from other travellers that they did not have an easy time with parking. If you were not travelling with teenagers, you could
have gone with bus to other destinations. You only need to know the bus schedule. It is pretty comfortable and inexpensive. I took the AVE train from Madrid to Cordoba, Sevilla back to Madrid. And I bussed around the rest of Andalucia quite a bit with a 29" suitcase! not a problem

I don't particularly care for Paradors since I like to stay in the center and close to othere sites and also be able to be out late for dinner and coffee. The places stay open till midnight or later. The only Parador that is in the center is in Ronda. I stayed across from Parador in Ronda for a lot less though in a 3-star hotel

In Malaga I recommend Hotel Don Curro. It is a 3 star hotel and the staff were professional. I hope I have the spelling right. It is in the center and close to the sites except Gibralfar. Gibralfar is far from center.

In Nerja, the major site is Balcon de Europe. There is a hotel with the same name that I think is in the expensive side. The parador is next to the beach. Anyway, the town is so small that you can walk from Balcon de Europe to nice beach and back with almost no effort. I stayed in a hotel called Plaza de Cavana in a plaza with the same name. Ask for a room on the higher floors and quiet. This hotel is almost next door to Balcon De Europe. The staff was very friendly, the place was clean and the hotel is right in the center. Again, is a 3 star hotel. Nerja is a small town. The nicest beach is Playa de Burriana(sp?). You want to make sure to see the Nerja caves. It is maybe 10 minutes to Nerja and there are busses that run there very frequenly. One of the white villages close to Nerja is Frigilina. On certian days there is an American tour guide at 10:00 and 12:30. He is real good. I recommend you visit Frigilina as well. It is a white washed village and it is beautiful.

In Granada you can either stay up the hill next to Alhambra with nothing else around or down the hill where it is filled with restaurants, souvenir shops, close to other sites such as Cathedral. Parador and Hotel America(I hope I have the name right) are next to Alhambra. The latter is a 3-star and a real old hotel. I recommend a hotel down the hill. You can take the mini busses that run very frequently up the hill to Alhambra, albayzin, sacromonto(I would be very careful there) and there is no need to stay right next to Alhambra. I stayed in a hotel called Macia Plaza in Plaza Nueva. The hotel was clean and the staff were helpfull. I would only stay there if they give you interior rooms since the ones facing the plaza can be noisy. The location was absolutely great and close to everythingincluding Alhambra.

In Sevilla, I stayed in Hotel Amadeus. It is close to the Casa del Juedria. The location is very good. The staff is nice.

In Madrid, I stayed in a real old hotel called Hotel Ingeles. They have added some new room. I stayed in both old and new sction. It is a 3-star hotel, it is clean and the staff seemed nice. It is right next to Peurto del sol and Plaza Santa Anna. Meaning right in the center. You can ask for an interior room in the new section. Their claim to fame is that Virginia Woolfe stayed there Anyways, I thought the location was excellent and good value for the money. For something nicer, you can go to Hotel Reina Victoria in Santa Anna plaza. It is a 4/5 start hotel and beautiful but more expensive.

Have a fun a trip!

Chatters

I've been to Spain many times and will be returning again this coming November. This time is a Mother-Daughters (2) trip; I am the daughter in charge of route, my sister is the driver and Mom is the Queen. We are arriving in Madrid for 3 days stay, AVE to Seville for 2 day stay, renting a car in Santa Justa Station and driving on to Cordova and Granada, back to Seville via Ronda. Having Cordova, Granada, Ronda, and Seville as sightseeing choices, can't even fathom why even consider Nerja and Malaga. Staying in Hotel Europa in Madrid, Hosteria del Laurel (house where Jose Zorrilla wrote "Don Juan Tenorio&quot and on God's good humor the rest of the trip. Can't wait!

mjs

I also question the choices of Malaga and Nerja for your trip when there are much more interesting places to visit on your upcoming vacation.
We also now travel with two teenagers and I think I understand Your hotel needs. Two rooms in a modest hotel or one room for 4 in a nicer hotel?..... Recommend the Hotel Las Casas de los Mercaderes for your family in Seville. You can get two rooms for your budget there and they have convenient parking underground. Location is excellent between the main shopping district and the Barrio. Appropriate 3 stars.
Olga who sometimes posts here works at the hotel.