Madrid Travel Forum

We will stopping in Madrid for 4 days at the end of June (24-28).
We are 3 girls who will share a room.

The most important things are:

Centralized Location
Cheap Price

We need a roof over our head and a safe place to keep our stuff!

I know very little about hostels and boarding houses. Can you tell me if or which ones would work? I want to be able to go around the city, and know that my belongings (luggage) left in my room are safe.

Please, I am open to any suggestions for cheap hotels or good hostels!

Thanks!

PS any good food or restaurant suggestions would be fabulous!

Actully, what is the best neighborhood or area for to stay for some New Yorkers in their 20's?

Last summer I stayed at Hostal Jerez, Calle Montera 47. (A last minute choice as a traveling companion had screwed up the reservations I thought we had). We paid about 50 euros for a double.

This is hotel rather than a traditional hostal. It is easy to reach via the Metro, and quite centrally located. It is clean though basic, the air conditionaing worked and is free, free wifi (though it doesn't reach every room, but always available in the lobby), and it is safe (24 hour front desk with locked front door). The staff is helpful.

The only negative is that the street itself (Montera) is "seedy" and the gathering place for young prostitutes. This is quite a shock at first. Actually, this is quite a shock at second and at third! Still, it was a very good price for the quality of the room.

Hi

We stayed at the Marlasca Hostal - http://www.hostalmarlasca.net. No complaints. Air conditioned and private bathroom. Breakfast not included. In the same street is the Cantabrico - http://www.hostalcantabricomadrid.com. They may include breakfast - email to check. Both are near Puerta del Sol, the location is excellent. Nearby is the picturesque Plaza Santa Ana. An evening meal there is a must! And also the lovely Alhambra tapas bar is around the corner from the hostals. Don't forget late night chocolate and churros at San Gines - death by chocolate!

We stayed at El Busca del Tiempo on c/ Barcelona just SE of Sol. (On both my Madrid and SirRichard travel pages). The rooms were large and the price very reasonable for a hotel, including breakfast and a kitchen in one room. Many reasonable places to eat on the street below and a good bar scene the next street over. Karl

As to areas to avoid, I would stay away from the area just North of Gran Via. Again, there were several corners where the street walkers and drug dealers were fairly obvious. The young prostitutes are rather shocking, not shocking that there are prostitutes, but they look so young. So young that my family did not notice who they were until I pointed it out, which put me in the dubious postion of trying to explain away my expertise. There is a large six/seven floor nightclub called Kapital by Atocha you may enjoy. Karl

los amigos backpackers is a very well run hostel in a nice street in central madrid.
i have a couple of photos of the place and the adress of a cheap hotel on my madrid page:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/36ade/3ff84/3/

Lodging: Los amigos Sol: this is the most centrally located youth hostel in Madrid, in the heart of the city and within walking distance of just about everything.It has a living room, TV-DVD, book exchange, games, use of kitchen. individual lockers in your room.Prices are less than US$20 Address: Calle Arenal 26Directions: sol. Restaurant: arroceria Gala
; its a restaurant serving mainly local food, that is, paella. its a typical reastaurnat because its situated in an incourt garden. always overcrowded, mainly by non-tourists
try paella with shrimps and langustinos Prices: US$11-20 Address: moratin 22
Directions: area les lettras

Try Hostel Abril...http://hostalabril.net/situation.html

Double room with private bathroom 48 euros

Single room with washstand 27 euros
Single room with shower 30 euros
Triple room 65 euros
Prices per night and room.
Taxes included.


It's clean and well priced and right where you want to be (Calle Fuencarral...on one side youve got the Chueca area (gay, fun..good restaurants), and on the other there is my favourite are Malasana...funky bars, shops and was where the Movida is said to have been based around (the young folk creating parties and co, just after Franco's death).

Restaurants - Malasana - Bufalino is a must...cant remember the street name...sorry. their lunch time menu is incredible and only 20€...Go down Calle Barco, just off Plaza San Ildefonso, and turn right...the restaurant will be on your left hand side...its painted green.

A good bar is the corner bar on Calle Spirito Santo...go the other way from Plaza San Ildefonso. Its on the right, in a little, w seats outside.

Enjoy....Carmelle

I stayed a month ago in one apartments studio near the downtown, in Barrio salamanca (one of the best9 close to everything. The place is really cool and safe. It is not cheap but not expensive eather. Apartamentos Conde Aranda if I recall. Also the apartments are fully equipped. For three girls I won´t reccomend to stay at a hostel. It is better an apartment for three to share.
Nice trip!!