2 nights/1 day in Madrid

It's a matter of preference...we ended our 20 day trip in Madrid and decided to stay at the Hilton Barajas Airport. We got an excellent rate for an Executive Club room and upgraded to a spa room...it was the perfect and most relaxing ending to our trip. If you want to go into Madrid for the afternoon you can take the train from there. Everything is going to depend on exactly how much time you would feasibly have to spend in Madrid that afternoon and next day before your flight given you need to be at airport 3 hours prior to flight.

Yes, it is a matter of individual preference but we always prefer to stay in the city and be able to walk from our hotel to dinner and to enjoy the sights. Madrid is a lovely city for walking. Since you have 2 nights that is all the more reason to stay in the city. You could drop your car at the airport and take the airport bus into the city. It stops at Cibeles and at Atocha station, and you could find a nice hotel near either one, close enough to Retiro Park, the Prado, and the restaurant scene at Plaza Santa Ana.

Unless your flight is really early in the morning, I'd stay in the city center. Madrid has an excellent transit system and though it might take a couple changes, the airport's easy to get to on the metro. Since nightlife is such a big deal in Spain, I'd hate to miss out on it at the airport.

Thanks everybody. Very good info.
As to staying in the city - we would have probably at least a suitcase and 2 carry-on's each. My prior experience with the metro system made it a little difficult to be doing the whole suitcase thing. Any specific ideas/opinions on that part? Thanks again for all the help.

That much luggage would be a pain on the metro, especially if you have to make changes, and then still walk to your hotel. Take the airport bus (2 euro) to Atocha station (it has luggage racks, easy to use) and then a cab from there to your hotel. Pick one not too far, say near the Prado, and it won't cost much.

Following from One end of the city to the other: All of these are in the same area:\Park Retrio The Prado The Botanic Garden adjacent to the Prado The Thyesin (sp?) Museum.. Toward Puerta Del Sol (The City Center) Walk through Huertas, or follow the Gran Via. The Hertas is safe walking, bario style, ancient dwellings, interesting. The Gran Via, now celebration 101 years of existance has some of the outstanding belle epoque architeture. Amazing!! You can follow Gran Via on past Calle Montera and Calle Funercaral through the commercial business district to Plaza Espana Area. I would suggest a detour to Puerta Del Sol, and follow the round past Plaza Mayor (a block or so off the road you will be walking)...History abounds here. From then walk on to the Royal Palace, Cathedral Alumedena, and surrounding buildings. The armory ion the grounds of the Palace should not be missed. There are headphone or guides for the Palace. The most amazing room to me is the small room containing 5 or 6 stratidarius instruments! Get a copy of Moon Fuide To Spain - Amazon.
Also, check our www.mdridman.com for great information on sites and lodging as well. I personally enjoy Hostal Montecarlo, 17 Gran Via, of ir you want to ber nrst yhr Atocha Train Station there are some located there where you can catch the Aerocity Bus Service Van for 2 o3 3 euroos, vs. the 0-40 euroo taxi ride. The Hilton is a good airport location. Friends stayed there and gave it high marks.

Similar to you we are ending our trip in Madrid. We'll arrive Friday morning at 9:15 by AVE from Cordoba, spend Friday and Saturday night in Madrid, then fly home Sunday afternoon. We chose to stay downtown, primarily to be walking distance from sights, restaurants and nightlife. Most of the advice I saw, recommended staying along a line between the Prado and the Palace. There are plenty of hotel options in the area.

Thanks again everyone. I think we've got it figured out now.