Cheap places to stay in Madrid

Try hostalsantacruz.com or hostalcruzsol.com, two lovely little 2-stars, both recently remodeled, on Plaza Santa Cruz, very close to Sol, and even closer to Plaza Mayor, but on a quiet square. About 40 Euro/night for a single. Don't know if there's anything available at this late date, but give them a try. At maps.google.com you'll see their location (in the same building, on two separate floors) by copying and pasting the following coordinates (40.415275, -3.705602). Good luck!

Go to www.madridman.com, he has links to dozens and donzens 2 star hostals similar to the ones in the post above. I've stayed at the hostal cruz sol and recommend it. All of these types of places are family run hotels that come with just about everything you need and won't break the bank.

How cheap do you wish to go??

We stayed at hotelabalu.com and really liked the price and it was close to 2 metro stations. Its close to the Gran Via, but not in the heart of the touristy places.

also try hotwire.com. I've chosen hotels 3 stars and have never been disappointed.

Shirley, I just went on hotwire and found 3-star hotel in El Centro - Old Madrid for $95 a night for June 17-19

I usually search on hostelworld.com or hostels.com.
You can read reviews and see pictures.
Tripadvisor.com has also reviews and candid pictures of hostels/hotels.

I second Norm's recommendation. We stayed at Hostal Cruz Sol over Christmas this past year. Great location and cheap!

Another way of travel is to try vacation rentals at loquo.com

We got a studio for 50 euro in madrid. Be careful however, make sure you settle the price and there's not any hidden charges like cleaning, towel fees etc.

Have Fun!

Hostal Adriano --- excellent choice, central location...good reviews...I have stayed there (last March)and plan to return in the fall.

Hi, thanks for all the postings. In the end we found a very cheap hostal - Hostal Flores, C\Gonzalo Jimenez de Queseda 2. It's on the eighth floor and a double room was 45 Euros per night. The view was dizzying. The room was basic and small but very clean. The woman and her family running it were very nice. High-spots of our visit were the 'Goya and War' exhibition with lots of information (in English as well as Spanish) in the Prado, the lovely garden in the Atocha station and the El Retiro park. Another plus for Hostal Flores is that it's only two minutes away from the Restaurante Puerto Rico. Very popular and very friendly waiters and the cheapest in town! The food and wine aren't bad either.