AirBnB Cancellation: Hotel in Madrid Question

We stayed at Hotel Europa on Puerta del sol. It is right by a metro stop and the location is fabulous with beautiful views of the square. It was quite reasonably priced. We took a metro to a train to get to the airport. That early of a flight, I would think you might have to do uber or taxi. The front desk will help you with that.

Some might suggest a hotel by the airport. For a last night and your only time in Madrid, I'd sacrifice having to get up early in the morning to be in that area by Puerto del sol.

Are you ok with staying close to the airport?

Would love not to be at the airport-- I think you are right, Jules . We would love to at least have a sense of the city. Will try the hotel you recommended.

We stayed at Hotel Moderno, also near Puerta del Sol.
There is a set rate for taxis to the airport, which is what we did.

The Europa is good, so is the nearby Moderno. The Moderno arranged a car for the airport when I stayed there, but it was later in the day.

You might also want to stay somewhere near the Paseo del Prado for convenience, especially if you're interested in any of the art museums nearby. That big street runs north from Atocha Station along Retiro Park. Try booking.com to find a hotel, you can search on the map, by price, and/or using other filters, and the reviews are genuine. You may want to stick with one of the big chains like Accor for convenience and comfort. Book directly with the hotel, rather than with booking.com.

Hopefully a "sneak preview" of Madrid will make you want to come back for more time in this great city. It's worth several days, and there are good day trips and rail links to other worthwhile cities.

Very helpful, Dick! Love the idea of being by museums just to open up options. Our AirBnb was next to the Royal Palace, just for reference. This might be a silly question but is there a comparable neighborhood in Madrid to Le Marais?

I also stayed at Hotel Europa after taking train from Sevilla to Madrid Atocha. I used the metro to get to hotel. Busy plaza but the hotel rooms were quiet. I loved the pastries at La Mallorquina, just across the square from the hotel. I had a fairly early departure for airport and the hotel called a taxi for me.

The Hotel Artrip is an easy walk to and from Atocha.

https://www.artriphotel.com/en

We were debating between Hotel Europa and Hotel Regina in June. Ended up staying at Hotel Regina. Liked everything about it---it was directly across the street from the Four Seasons. They have an upscale (yes, upscale) food hall there and we ate there twice! It. is close to Hotel Europa and we actually ate at their outdoor cafe one evening. We had the hotel arrange transportation, although there is a metro stop nearby--check it out on a map. I can't tell whether Europa would have been better, but if I were to return, I'd stay there again, unless I could afford the Four Seasons and I'd stay there! Ha! Have fun!

If you arrive at 1130 and get to the Prado by say 100, that is all you will be able to do for the day. I loved the Prado, but if I had only a day in Madrid, I would stay in the Puerta del Sol area and do Rick's walking tour to see Plaza Major, the Palace grounds, the tapas market and more at a slow pace.

Staying near Atocha/Prado will not only be convenient on arrival, but also easy for the commuter train to the airport. (Though, if the flight leaves at 8 I'd take a taxi—30e flat rate. Uber is hamstring in Madrid. If you need to leave the accommodation at 8 then the train is a reasonable option.)

It's tough to compare any part of Madrid to Le Marais. But if you describe the vibe you're looking for I could point you to the area.

Ack! I just saw your posting history, and maybe you're there this month? Maybe in the country right now? I would NOT— repeat: DO NOT— stay near Sol, including at the Europa, in the month of December or the first week of Jan.

The crowds are completely unbearable! Which is probably an understatement. Think Times Square, Rockefeller Tree lighting, and then add way more people.

Thank you so much to all. What a great group. Will cough up the ridiculous hotel rates for this trip and plan on a longer stay later. Very grateful.

I recently stayed at Hotel Catalonia Plaza Mayor (C. de Atocha, 36). Very convenient to/from Atocha while also being walkable to many of the sites. The staff could not have been nicer.