Hello, If my husband and I are going to depart Madrid for NYC (mid-day) should we stay at a hotel near the airport (if so, any suggestions) or near the Atocha Station (and if so, any suggestions)? Thank you.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7160 posts
That’s really a personal choice. Two hotels close to Atocha are AC hotel Atocha and AC hotel Carlton Atocha. A no frills hotel very close to Atocha is Sleep’N Atocha. You’d need to check them out since I’ve never stayed at any of them. There are others nearby. I say it’s a personal choice because we always take the metro to the airport the day of departure and stay at the Puerta de Sol. Have never had a problem making the flight. Staying in town allows you to stay out and enjoy your last night in town. You give that up for the convenience of not having to make the airport commute in the morning.
Posted by
OP
43 posts
Very good advice - thank you, Rick Steves Team. I think we will change our plan and stay at Puerta del Sol!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7160 posts
Our preferred hotel the last few trips to Madrid has been Hotel Europa. It’s about 50 yards from the Puerta del Sol metro station and is in the RS book. We like the location because it is near a number of sights. If you decide to take the metro you can stay in any part of town near a metro stop.
Posted by
3441 posts
In October 2017, we loved the Artrip Hotel - a short walk to the Atocha station, and closer than than that to the Reina Sofia - the Prado and Thyssen are also within an easy walking distance.
We loved the diversity and safe feeling of the Lavapies neighborhood.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15788 posts
I've stayed twice at the Europa. It's super-easy to walk the few meters from the lobby to the elevator entrance at Sol (sometimes Vodaphone Sol in the metro) and go down to the cercanias - not the metro. To get to the metro, you have a flight of stairs from the street and then it's often crowded and makes a lot of stops. The cercanias runs less frequently but it's still a better option. Transfer at Charmatin.