I've been trying to narrow down where to stay in Madrid. Three hotels have caught my eye: NH Palacio de Tepa, Only You Boutique Hotel, ME Madrid Reina Victoria. The hotels seem fairly comparable as far as style, amenities, price. I'm wondering if any of them have distinct advantage for neighborhood, metro accessibility, walk-ability, etc. We've never been to Madrid so we don't really have a feel for the city.
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
NH Palacio de Tepa and ME Madrid Reina Victoria are very close to one another right by Plaza Santa Ana, which is a popular restaurant and bar spot. In fact the ME Madrid Reina Victoria has quite a trendy roof bar which overlooks the square.
The Only You Boutique Hotel is further away in the funky gay district of Chueca (made famous in Almodovar movies). I really like the individuality of the rooms here, whereas the other two seem more staid. It seems to also rate higher on review sites.
For me it's a hard choice, style vs location. A decision 'only you' can make.
Posted by
Washington DC
27230 posts
If, as I assume, the Reina Victoria is near the museum of the same name, it will put you within easy walking distance of the Prado and Thyssen museums as well, plus the Atocha railway station, the Botanical Garden and Retiro Park. You'll probably be 20 minutes or so from the Plaza Mayor by foot, part of which can be walked on pedestrian streets. I stayed in that area for four nights and felt completely safe. The Madrid Metro is excellent and can get you anywhere efficiently if you don't want to do a lot of walking.
Can't comment on your other options.
Remember that Spaniards are nightowls. There may be street noise till all hours, depending on the quality of your hotel's windows. Traveling with earplugs is recommended.
Posted by
Bloomington, IL, USA
9363 posts
Acraven, you are thinking of the Reina Sofia museum. But the Reina Victoria is still walking distance to the Prado, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol, as well as other attractions and restaurants.
Posted by
Washington DC
27230 posts
Of course; I was rushing and read carelessly. Glad you caught that.
Posted by
OP
KS, USA
676 posts
I think we've narrowed down to two hotels, with a new one in the mix, Hotel Preciados.
David, yes, the Only You Hotel has some unusual and appealing design, doesn't it? The area sounds like it could be fun, too. We'd like to be in an that is vibrant and lively. Would you describe it as such?
Hotel Preciados...a few blocks off of Gran Via, seems to be close to just about everything and has three metro stops close by. It also looks like we could easily visit La Latina and Chueca neighborhoods by foot from there for some tapas in the evenings, from what I've read it seems like those neighborhoods are good for tapas.
I'd like to stay in an area that isn't full of tourist traps for dining (breakfast in morning, tapas in evening). Do you think both areas or ok or do you think we'd be better off in one or the other?
Posted by
Brisbane, Australia
7175 posts
I haven't been to Madrid for five years, and I don't have first hand experience at any of these hotels.
I would say that La Latina & Plaza Santa Ana are where you would find more tourists.
Chueca is probably less gritty than it used to be, and definitely with moments of flamboyance.
It's only a one mile (20 min) walk from 'Only You' to 'ME Madrid Reina Victoria'.
Evening walks in Madrid in the height of summer are extremely pleasant, as it cools down considerably.
The metro (green) line 5 runs directly between Chueca and La Latina.
Posted by
Port St Joe Florida
513 posts
I have stayed at the Hotel Preciados and it was a great experience. The staff was wonderful and I do not think you can find a better location in Madrid. There are a couple of nearby Metro stops, but you probably will not need them - almost all of the places a tourist might want to go are easily within walking distance.
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