Hi, 3 adults (parents and adult child) traveling in October primarily to Valencia but we will be in Madrid the first 2 nights. Looking for a neighborhood or area in which to find a hotel that we can easily enough get to from the international airport, then to the train station a couple days later, and where we can enjoy walking (or some public transit) around the city the days we're there. So someplace fun to be but also easy to get to / from plane and train. Thank you!!
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23909 posts
We have always used Hotel Europa. About as convenient as they come. A hundred yards from the subway and easy access to everything. Just north of Puerta Del Sol and a couple blocks from Plaza Mayor. It sits are the end of a pedestrian zone. With three adults, the taxi probably is cheaper than the metro. Madrid taxis are fine.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
7503 posts
We also had a nice stay at Hotel Europa
Posted by
206 posts
Madrid has a really good metro and commuter rail system so I wouldn't worry too much about proximity to the airport or Chamartin (train station for trains to Valencia). I also recommend the ride-hailing app "Cabify" for Madrid and Valencia if you need a taxi.
As far as neighborhoods, I really like Barrio de las letras and Chueca. I like the Only You boutique hotel in Chueca, and the Petit Palace chain (their breakfast is pretty bad if that's an issue). Also, the Radisson RED Madrid is pretty good.
Posted by
37 posts
I can recommend the H10 Villa de la Reina hotel in Madrid. Large breakfast, free cava in the evening and little candies and tidbits in the lobby during the day. Rooms are wildly different. Staff absolutely kind and helpful. We also really liked the Circulo Gran Via. Our room was massive with an enormous king bed and the bathroom was also large with wonderful products. Both on Gran Via right in center of everything.
Posted by
USA
56 posts
We enjoyed our stay at The Principal and the nearby area.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7989 posts
We too stay at Hotel Europa at the Puerta Del Sol. Usually, we spend a night or two at the end of each Spain trip. As mentioned, the Plaza Mayor is nearby. The Royal Palace, Atocha train station, and Prado museum are about 15 minutes away, while Retiro Park is another 10 minutes walk further. The hotel is in a pedestrian only area bounded by the Puerta del Sol and the Gran Vía.
From the airport we always take the metro to the Sol station. It requires two train changes. For those not familiar with the system, a taxi may be better and it would drop you off a couple minutes walk from the hotel.
It appears the train to Valencia departs from Chamartín train station. That station isn’t near any of the main tourist sites. When we took a train from that station we stayed at Hotel Vía Castellana a few blocks from the station and took the metro to the historic center of town.
Posted by
147 posts
We stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. It is a lot of fun as that chain usually is and it's only 0.2 miles from the Atocha train station; easily walkable at night and with large suitcase
Posted by
20 posts
Stayed at the Radisson Red, right across from Atocha Train station. Very convenieint if you're going/coming through that train. Clean, friendly service and restaurant in the lobby. Very close to main museums-Reina Sofia, Prado and Thyssen. Lots of restaurants in the area and right across the street from El Retiro--big park.