IC Madrid Master Thread [merged]
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: PARIS (France)
Programs: AF/KLM Club 2000 | InterContinental Diamond RA |AMEX Plat | Visa Infinite |Hertz President's Circle
Posts: 10,898
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
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
Metro (metro station 150 meters from hotel): standard metro fare + 1 extra euro
Cannot really see the interest to hire a limousine
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,965
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
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
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.
#18
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Fla.
Programs: Starwood life Plt, AA Gold.,Delta . ,Priority Plat,IC Ambassador
Posts: 408
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
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
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,965
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....
#21
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Silver Spring, and Eastern Shore Md. USA
Programs: AA EXP, UA MM/Premier Gold, Hyatt Globalist,Hilton Honors Gold, IHG platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 1,059
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.
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
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Here, There & Everywhere
Programs: OZ Diamond, Miles & Smiles *G, PC Amb
Posts: 659
(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
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
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?
#24
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,503
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.
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.
#25
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,556
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....
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....
#26
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Brussels,Belgium
Posts: 191
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/
http://travel.bart.la/2012/02/06/int...d-deluxe-room/
#27
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: South Germany
Programs: Miles&More Senator , EX-SPG Platinum now Bonvoy LTP, IC Platinum , Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 300
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!
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!
#28
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Intercontinental RA, PC Plat, AX EX Plat, Priority Pass Elite
Posts: 91
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.
#29
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: 6E Westbound, 4E Eastbound
Programs: AA EXP & 3MM, Priority Club Plat since 1984
Posts: 6,293
For transportation from the airport to the hotel, I recommend:
http://www.viator.com/tours/Madrid/M...-3864MADAPTHTL
Under $30 US.
http://www.viator.com/tours/Madrid/M...-3864MADAPTHTL
Under $30 US.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: in your favourite lounge, clearing the whole buffet
Programs: LH Maximizer of the year, BA Blue Label killer
Posts: 1,001
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
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