Madrid & Lisbon

In Madrid, I can make two suggestions, depending on your particular wants.* The huge Accor chain has many properties in Madrid of various price ranges and luxuries. I usually use the Etap hotel in east Madrid (http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5100-etap-hotel[INVALID]etap-madrid-valentin-beato/index.shtml). The accommodation is modern, basic, but clean and comfortable. It's only a block from the Suances metro station. Suances is a lovely residential neighbourhood with a huge park for strolling. Prices are usually 45 Euro/night, but they have a sale on now at 39 Euro/night for two people (conditions apply.) It's about a 20 minute Metro ride to the downtown. * If you want to stay closer to the action, there is a nice hostal (NOT hostel) on Plaza Santa Cruz, a short walk from Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol (http://hostalsantacruz.com/IN/). It's in a classic old building, but it has been completely done over. Rates for 2 people are 54 Euro/night.

Denise....for the link to the Etap hotel in Madrid, replace the [INVALID] with two dashes in a row (for some reason, the double dash is something that freaks out the RS website.) Or use this shorter link I created (http://tinyurl.com/27fgt3m).

For Lisbon try the Residencial Florescente. It is on a pedestrian street within walking distance to many restaurants and sites as well as bus, train, and metro stops. Believe it's around 6t euros for a double and comes with breakfast. Not sure what you consider moderate. There are hotels for more and also fewer euros in that area that you can check into.

I second the recommendation for Residencial Florescente. Very comfortable and centralle located. Don't forget to stop by Pasties de Belem for their heavenly "custard pastry".