Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar - Where to stay in Madrid (Priceline?)

Hi everyone,

I'm heading to Madrid for the weekend 12 - 15 of March (3 nights). Any advice on a good cheapish hotel ($100 - 120/night) -- is Priceline in "Old Madrid" a good idea?

Let me know what you think!

Cheers,

-W

I really like Hotel Arosa on the Gran Via; the location is great and the hotel is very nice; Last time I looked it runs 120 euros per night unless you have some discount with Best Western (over 62, AAA, government rate). The price includes free internet (big deal for me).

We stayed at the Starwood Palace a couple of years ago. Doesn't have a pool or a real club floor (free espresso in the hall to 11am on flrs 5-6 is about it), but the location is perfect. We loved it.

And the Starwood cash and points price was pretty great too. $90 and 4800 Starpoints.

By the way, one of the best places I ever eaten at (value to quality ratio) is the Terra Mundi a couple of blocks from the Palace. http://www.terramundi.net/

The ten Euro lunch special with wine included is incredible. Remember that they don't even think about eating lunch in Madrid until 2PM.

To think I didn't even know there was Galician food until I wandered into the Terra Mundi. I'd go back to Madrid just to eat there (and maybe see the Prado again). :D

The internet at the Palace is a rip--but there is a good internet cafe near the Terra Mundi called the Brujas (witches) de Argentina

try some tapas and wine at any of the Museo de Jamon; my favorite is in the Plaza Mayor; you can make a meal out of it.

It's probably a bit higher (though not much) than your budget, but my hands-down favorite in Madrid is the Hotel Preciados. It's great value for money, and the location is outstanding -- all the more now since the street has been made into a pedestrian zone (so no traffic noise).

See www.preciadoshotel.com for info/rates.

I last stayed there in December -- I think it was 100 euros for the night at the time, not including breakfast. (I never opt for the breakfast rate at hotels in Madrid - it's always way overpriced at around 20 euros, and there are bars/cafes everywhere with great continental breakfasts for around 4 euros. Of course YMMV if you want a full buffet breakfast with eggs, bacon/sausage etc -- I just don't prefer that.)

- michael

try some tapas and wine at any of the Museo de Jamon; my favorite is in the Plaza Mayor; you can make a meal out of it.

Are you sure there's one in Plaza Mayor? I don't think so! There is one on Calle Mayor.

Are you sure there's one in Plaza Mayor? I don't think so! There is one on Calle Mayor.

http://www.museodeljamon.com/establecimientos/plazaMayor.php

I Really enjoyed my stay at the Westin in madrid, at the time it was quite pricey.

To priceline a hotel keeps you stay within your budget (you have control of the $ spent). Which hotel you will end up winning is subject to their assignment. Good way to go if you know an area like. Need some home work before you bid though.

IMO the problem with PL is that there are a lot of hotels in Madrid that are just not good value for money. Once you set aside the top tier (which the OP's budget automatically excludes), many hotels have rooms that are the size of a closet or are have been poorly maintained.

With some exceptions (like the Preciados I recommend above), I've been disappointed a number of times with mid-range hotels in Madrid.

Friends and I will be coming back to Madrid for the last evening in Spain before going to the airport in the morning, and I can't find a hotel! Apparently there is a soccer tournament in town that weekend and everything is booked. The hotels in the center that have availability want to charge something like 1200 euros per room per night. No thanks. This is for the night of May 22-23.

Can anyone recommend any hotels between the city center and the airport, near a metro stop? I'd like to spend less than $200/night/room for two rooms.

Thanks!

Friends and I will be coming back to Madrid for the last evening in Spain before going to the airport in the morning, and I can't find a hotel! Apparently there is a soccer tournament in town that weekend and everything is booked. The hotels in the center that have availability want to charge something like 1200 euros per room per night. No thanks. This is for the night of May 22-23.

Can anyone recommend any hotels between the city center and the airport, near a metro stop? I'd like to spend less than $200/night/room for two rooms.

Thanks!

You could try the Confortel All Suites Madrid.

I'm not sure about current rates but it's a nice hotel and very near the metro (Alfonso XIII station). This involves taking Line 8 from the airport and changing at Mar de Cristal.

You could try the Confortel All Suites Madrid.

I'm not sure about current rates but it's a nice hotel and very near the metro (Alfonso XIII station). This involves taking Line 8 from the airport and changing at Mar de Cristal.

Thanks for the idea; they're booked (like everything else). I managed to get the Clement Barajas by the airport.