ncart2

What is your favorite neighborhood to stay in Madrid and why? Pros and cons?

We're a middle aged couple visiting Spain for the first time along with our grown children (early thirties). We love exploring cities, experiencing local food, wine and culture. We're planning to rent an apartment but there are so many choices to narrow down, even after doing much research online and in guidebooks. Would love to hear some personal opinions and experiences!

maitaitom

Here' the apartment where we stayed in June 2015...A great deal in a quiet neighborhood within walking distance of a zillion sights and restaurants. I have also included my Trip Report. See the first day in Madrid (Chapter Seventeen) for photos of apartment (the shower in the master bedroom was killer!). It will run you about 155 euros a night...a bargain! Spain Select was a wonderful company to work with (we also book a great apartment in Sevilla through them). They have other properties inMadrid if you want something smaller.

http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...ope-de-vega-ii

http://travelswithmaitaitom.com/spain-2015/

danon

We always stay in Serrano -Salamanca just north of
the park (Retiro).
The area is beautiful, elegant , not touristy,
many restaurants and upscale shops.
One can walk to Prado in 10 min. two metro stops to Sol.

If you prefer more 'hopping" part of the city - closer to
St Ana or Mayor would be better.

danon

p.s.
A few weeks ago we stayed at apt. Serrano 5 also
through Spain Select. It was perfect 2B2B.

ncart2

Thanks for the replies and suggestions! I actually contacted Spain Select apartment but we are a group of 6 and they said 4 is the max for that apartment.
I've found this apartment that sleeps 6: http://www.vrbo.com/1734998ha
It is in Chueca. It concerns me a bit that there are only 2 reviews though, makes me wonder why there aren't more.

IMDonehere

If it matters, Chueca is the hip gay area.

ekscrunchy

This is a large apartment on the east side of Retiro Park. I stayed there about three years ago, through Spain Select. It is in a non-touristy area and you will have to walk a bit to get to sights but there are good, non-touristy restaurants nearby.

http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...id/anunciacion

Here is my trip report, focused on food but with more info on the flat:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...and-malaga.cfm

danon

In addition to PP,
SS offers more threeB apt ( depending on the date ) that accommodate 6 people.
I would stick with them.

danon

http://www.spain-select.com/en_US/re...ily/3-bedrooms

cruiseluv

I also recommend the area where the Spain Select Lope de Vega apt. mentioned above is. This area is also called Barrio de Las Letras, and its strategically positioned near the Museum triangle (Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen), Plaza Mayor, and Plaza Santa Ana areas. Plenty of restaurants, bars/cafes in that area.

maitaitom

Should you decode to stay in Chueca, we had a good meal at La Cocina de San Antón in the multi-leveled Mercado de San Antón, which has vendors selling everything from meats to fresh produce to regional specialties. It's on the top floor.

plambers

We stayed in the barrio de letras but ate near retiro (Salamanca area) almost exclusively.

ncart2

plambers, did you find more dining options in retiro/Salamanca?
We're interested mostly in casual dining options. Tapas, wine bars, etc...

Thanks for the dining reco maitaitom! I've been enjoying your trip report very much. I'm sure I'll refer to it often when planning our trip!

danon, what is PP?

danon

previously post or previous poster

Salamanca is an upscale area just north of the park...lovely and upscale.
It is not touristy, many restaurants , expensive shops, galleries ,bars
More of a local feel ...but not very formal .
Madrid is easy to get around.
Although we stayed in Salamanca, we ate a few times on Cava Baja
( near Mayor).