I am looking for some guidance with an itinerary and accommodations for our upcoming family trip with two 18 year olds. We will be staying 4 nights in Madrid (6/26-30) and three nights in Toledo (6/30-7/3). Any recommendations on where first timers should stay in Madrid? Toledo? We know it will be very hot and Hope to find a place with a pool and AC. Our primary modes of transportation will be train and Uber/Taxi. Many thanks and appreciation for your help!
Posted by
Madrid
32 posts
Super important in the summer time to choose a hotel with a good pool. As for AC in Spain you can take it for granted.
These are my 2 recommendations for Toledo:
https://www.beatrizhoteles.com/es/hotel-beatriz-toledo-auditorium-spa-en-toledo/?partner=5119
If you want to spend more:
https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-toledo
Posted by
296 posts
In terms of where to stay, I think Rick Steve's oft-suggested location of right on the Puerta del Sol plaza is bad advice for most people. The central part of Madrid around the royal palace, Plaza Mayor, and Sol is a bit too touristy. Granted, that's a great area for transit and walking to the main attractions. But, you're lacking the neighborhood vibe. I say, if you walk outside your hotel and there's a guy dressed up like Elmo trying to get people to pay for photos, that's not where you want to be. I also wouldn't stay on Gran Via for similar reasons. The rest of central Madrid I would recommend more or less. Lavapies, Letras, Chueca, Malasaña, Chamberí, Salamanca, Ibiza, La Latina, all great in their own way depending on budget etc.
I always enjoyed staying near the Retiro Park if possible because it enables a few extra walks through there. If you're planning to book an AirBnb or short term rental, remember that there may be extra paperwork involving the purpose of your visit with your host. I remember seeing that the Hard Rock Hotel near the train station/Reina Sofia museum has a pool. That's a convenient location, but lacking in charm in the immediate vicinity.
Toledo, I've been there but not over night. I would stay in the old town.
Few other notes:
- Use Cabify instead of Uber.
- Take advantage of the great restaurants in Madrid.
- Get to the Prado early if possible to see the famous paintings without the crowd.
- Sounds like a great trip, have fun
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
8225 posts
I stayed at Hotel Europa on Puerta del sol and liked both the hotel and location. I could walk to main sites and great transit location for day trips. That said, Hotel Europa does not have a pool.
In Toledo, we stayed at the Hotel Santa Isabel which was very well priced, wonderful rooftop terrace, but no pool. I did like the location, a bit out of the busy, city center.
I'd suggest using booking.com and filter for a pool. For example, for Toledo, Hotel Hacienda del Cardenal, in city center popped up. Pool, decent reviews. I use booking.com to search and from there, I book directly with the hotel.
Make sure to check out the inside of the gorgeous train station in Toledo.
Posted by
new york
1566 posts
We stayed at the Cardenal; it's lovely--one of the classic Toledo hotels. Very good restaurant.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
8572 posts
We too have stayed at hotel Europa in Madrid on a few occasions and enjoyed it. We’ve never stayed at it during the summer.
The last time we were in Toledo we stayed at the already recommended Parador. It has a pool. A drawback to it is it’s a couple miles outside of town. By staying there one is rewarded with a great view of the town. We had a rental car. On previous visits to Toledo we stayed at hotel María Christina that is about a mile from the Bisagra gate. I don’t recall it having a pool.