IC Madrid Master Thread [merged]

Old May 4, 2011, 1:22 pm
  #16  
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Originally Posted by TomT
Greetings:
I checked with the IC Madrid to see about airport pick up, they said no problem but cost would be 105E + 8 % VAT + 5% Cerdit card charge.

That seemed a bit high? All other hotels we have used just add the transfer to my bill......no CC charge.........

Any enlightment.................Thanks........TT
Taxi fare from airport is...EUR 25
Metro (metro station 150 meters from hotel): standard metro fare + 1 extra euro
Cannot really see the interest to hire a limousine
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Old May 5, 2011, 3:29 am
  #17  
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Originally Posted by TomT
Greetings:
I checked with the IC Madrid to see about airport pick up, they said no problem but cost would be 105E + 8 % VAT + 5% Cerdit card charge.

That seemed a bit high? All other hotels we have used just add the transfer to my bill......no CC charge.........

Any enlightment.................Thanks........TT
The 5% is probably because the deal is concluded as a cash payment to a third-party service provider, and so is treated as a cash advance to the guest.

A taxi is very easy to handle - with the usual caveat of meter turned on etc - and will cost under 30 Euros.

Even better, if you are travelling light, the Metro will whisk you into the centre in no time, and for peanuts, and there's only one change needed to get you to the IC.
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Old May 5, 2011, 5:54 am
  #18  
 
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Greetings to all once again:

Thank you for all the info., I had read the threads and realized the subway was cheap and easy, that a cab would only cost me a normal amount......my problem was that beloved wife had read about pick pockets on the subway and I was thinking that a hotel transfer might help with our 8:00Am or so check in.............as I always seem to find presenting a question or problem to FT sorts out my thoughts...I think we will just do the cab and I will EMail the hotel with a "heads up " that we are coming in rather early.

Thank yo all.......TT
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Old May 5, 2011, 8:26 am
  #19  
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Originally Posted by TomT
I think we will just do the cab and I will EMail the hotel with a "heads up " that we are coming in rather early.
And I'm pretty sure you'll find a far more enjoyable way to spend the $120+ saved on the limo charge...

But the warnings were sound: pickpockets are a real and present threat on the Madrid metro. No need to deveop a paranoia about it, but travel requires a level of vigilance - particularly if some character wants to help clean a splodge of bird mess inexplicably found on your coat....
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Old Jul 6, 2011, 7:15 am
  #20  
 
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Deleted as told the story last year :-)

Last edited by pomkiwi; Jul 6, 2011 at 7:29 am
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Old Nov 19, 2011, 12:45 pm
  #21  
 
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Notes from my November 2011 stay

Hello Everyone. I read this thread while preparing for my trip to IC Madrid so I thought I would update some information.

I am an Ambassador member. I worked with the Ambassador staff to book a deluxe executive room, with the hope I would be upgraded to a club room. The Ambassador office actually booked two stays, the second stay included a free night with a BOGO certificate, so I stayed for three nights and paid for two.

I was not sure I had been upgraded til we arrived and were escorted to the club lounge to check in. We arrived around 9:15 am and I had emailed in advance asking if we could check in early. Susanna the Club manager did a nice job in securing a room. When there was a little glitch as it was not ready, she invited us to have breakfast in the lounge which was very gracious and appreciated.

The lounge was small and nice and never crowded during our stay. For breakfast there was a small buffet as well as a choice of several made to order egg dishes. Try the spanish omelet, which is not what you expect, it is perfectly round with potatoes on the bottom. Throughout the day there is fruit, soft drinks and cava, small sandwiches and cookies. In the evening there is more wine on offer and some small desserts. There are several English language papers and two computers and a printer.

Internet access is free with club room, both in the lounge and in your room. You can also have the buffet breakfast in the restaurant instead of the lounge.

The Intercontinental is a bit out of the main tourist sites but there are two metro stops close by. We took the metro from the airport to Nuevos Ministerios and then changed to Gregorio Maranon. It cost 2.5 Euros and was easy but there were places where we had to carry our suitcases up stairs so be warned if you have much/heavy luggage. To go to Old Madrid, we usually used the other metro stop, Ruben Dario which we took to Opera station.

For advice we found Susanna in the Club Lounge helpful. We did buy a tour from the concierge which was just okay (Pulmantur panoramic tour).

I recommend you consider taking the Free Madrid Tour by Sandeman tours that meets in the Plaza Mayor. It is a great 3 1/2 hour tour and you tip what you think it was worth. Be rested when you take this as it involves a lot of walking. We also took their tapas tour--4 hours, three stops that included tapas and drinks for 14 euros.

We found Madrid to be a beautiful and interesting city with nice people and we will likely return to Spain and Madrid. We had a wonderful stay at the IC Madrid.

Last edited by silver springer; Nov 19, 2011 at 12:46 pm Reason: add information
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Old Jan 26, 2012, 4:37 am
  #22  
 
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Originally Posted by Hannibal Lecter
(cuatro paradas en los puntos ms emblemticos de la ciudad).

It says 4 stops, but they only list 3: O'donnel, Cibeles and Atocha

here's a timetable
http://www.emtmadrid.es/lineaAeropuerto/horarios.html
From what i can make out, the Plaza de Cibeles stop is probably the closest to the Intercontinental.

Can anyone share any insight into the possibility of catching a cab easily from the bus stop to the IC at around 9:30pm on a weekend?
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Old Jan 26, 2012, 5:00 am
  #23  
 
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Does anyone have any insight in the Premium Suite at the IC Madrid? Is it a 2-room suite e.g. with Living Room?

Thanks
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Old Jan 26, 2012, 5:48 am
  #24  
 
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There are also some buses that go down the main road in front of the IC that I preferred to take; then you can see the outside world on the way to the city center (maybe 15 minutes?). Most buses also have free WiFi! I forgot how to pay for buses, whether it's cash or tickets-- just ask the concierge.
It's nice also because down the same road on the bus is an amazing museum, the Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza. From there it's not far to the main shopping street in the city center, also the big square which is full of people on weekends, even in chilly weather.
I was in what is probably a Junior Suite, a large-ish room facing the inner courtyard. I'd booked either the cheapest or 2nd cheapest room, then was UG to this room with Club access. Really nice stay. Excellent Club Lounge! Ambassador services booked me mistakenly as 2 paid nights (in their system at least--my confirmation showed BOGO), and the lounge agent checking me in had to make several phone calls, so I'm not sure I would have gotten Club access if they had me down as using a BOGO, but it worked out for me.
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Old Jan 26, 2012, 2:45 pm
  #25  
 
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Originally Posted by IAN-UK
And I'm pretty sure you'll find a far more enjoyable way to spend the $120+ saved on the limo charge...

But the warnings were sound: pickpockets are a real and present threat on the Madrid metro. No need to deveop a paranoia about it, but travel requires a level of vigilance - particularly if some character wants to help clean a splodge of bird mess inexplicably found on your coat....
Well, pickpockets are a very real threat in any major city, especially when you have large numbers of tourists. That being said, I have been to Madrid at least 25 times in my life, and have never once been pickpocketed or even had anyone try. Just be cautious as you would anywhere else and don't make yourself and easy mark. That being said, I would DEFINITELY ride the Metro from the airport to the hotel, as it is super cheap and very easy.
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Old Feb 6, 2012, 12:40 pm
  #26  
 
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Picture review InterContinental Madrid Deluxe Room

Stayed two nights (weekend) mid January at Deluxe room for 99, picture review on my travel blog:

http://travel.bart.la/2012/02/06/int...d-deluxe-room/
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Old Mar 26, 2012, 7:53 am
  #27  
 
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Just returned from a lovely weekend Madrid stay. Booked standard room and received a nice renovated (Club?) room. It was in a corner of the alley so it was quiet.

This was most important to us. Without asking we received access to the Club Lounge this is really great for Breakfast.

The room was very clean, flat TV and really nice bath room.

I recommend this hotel and also public transportation from / to Airport (25 min.) and into the center is great. A 3 day pass cost 13,50 /p. P. the trains are comming all day/night within 5 minutes. Fantastic!
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Old Aug 3, 2012, 12:25 pm
  #28  
 
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Currently at the IC Madrid. Booked a Deluxe and received a Junior Suite the same room that I have had on my previous 2 visits overlooking the courtyard. Club lounge access is again complimentary as RA. For reference the Club Lounge is closed for breakfast during August and opens at 11am. I was told I can have breakfast in the main restaurant or room service continental breakfast.
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Old Aug 4, 2012, 8:06 pm
  #29  
 
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For transportation from the airport to the hotel, I recommend:

http://www.viator.com/tours/Madrid/M...-3864MADAPTHTL



Under $30 US.
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Old Jan 25, 2013, 4:29 pm
  #30  
 
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I made a BRG for the Junior Suite some weeks ago. I wonder, is Club Access included in any rate there?

How long do I have to walk from the Hotel to the Nuevos Ministerios Cercanias station? There is no Metro so early in the morning
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