Hi. My wife and I are stuck in Italy until she clears her covid test, hopefully on Tuesday. We're headed to Spain the minute she's released by the Italian health authority. We've had to change our plans, after very sadly having to leave our RS tour, that we loved. She has been stuck in a covid hotel for days and days now. I want to take her to a really nice hotel in Madrid for a few days before we go to Valencia, then Barcelona. I don't know Madrid, and would love to hear suggestions for nice hotels that you have visited. My definition of nice for the purpose of making my wife feel good about traveling again includes: queen or king size bed. No unbearable noise from busy streets or partiers outside. A hotel that is light and airy, perhaps with a nice balcony. If you can recommend such a hotel in a charming neighborhood, I would be grateful. We're not afraid to take the Metro or other public transportation. In fact we love traveling that way. So it doesn't have to be right in the center of the tourist areas if it's on a Metro line. Also, I have spent the last eight months crash-learning Spanish, so I'm comfortable staying where English isn't that common. In fact, part of the reason we added Spain to our trip from the start was so that I could practice my Spanish there. Thanks in advance for your help.
Posted by
11570 posts
We stayed at The Principal in Madrid and highly recommend it. It is set back, just off of Gran Via, walking distance to Retiro Park and the art museums, The Prado and Thyssen. It is a modern, design hotel created inside a vintage palazzo. Quiet room, excellent service. We would stay there again.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you for such a fast and helpful reply. I will go research the hotel now.
Chip
Posted by
Paris
7304 posts
Watch out: a major heatwave is forecast in Madrid. 41-42 C on your dates.
I would head straight to Valencia...
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
Balso’s not wrong about the heat. I’m in Madrid right now—it’s sweltering.
But if you can relax into the heat it can take on it’s own pleasures. Do something in the morning. Carry fans. Walk on the shady side of the streets. Then spend the afternoons languidly quaffing vermouth under the umbrella of a restaurant’s terraza.
At least it’s a dry heat…?
I stay with friends here, so can’t offer hotel recs.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for your advice about the heatwave. We will probably adjust our plans now.
Posted by
Valencia Spain
46 posts
We always stay at the Aloft Madrid. Great location on a side street off of Gran Via, easy access to several subways, trains and buses, new hotel in last 4-5 years so no noise whatsoever from outside, clean modern bathrooms. Nice rooms, but not huge. Rooftop pool and bar. Much cheaper if booking early of course. Ask for a room that faces outside rather than the inner courtyard.
There is a bus (Line 001) that that goes between Moncloa to Atocha station that goes down Gran Via and stops right at the entrance of Atocha station for easy access to the AVE train platforms. Takes about 20-30 minutes. Much easier than taking the subway or train if you have luggage. Get the EMT Madrid app.