Madrid hotel location
Each barrio of Madrid has its on distinct atmosphere, even though they are located a short metro ride from each other. To be in the heart of a buzzing downtown Madrid, choose a hotel in Los Austrias, Sol and Centro. The area is rich on historical sites, popular restaurants and shops and you'll definitely spend a lot of your time there, so you can as well choose a hotel (luxury or mid-range) in that area of Madrid. Huertas is awash with new trendy designer hotels, but those will suit best the guests who enjoy the noisy nightlife - you may find it difficult to fall asleep in the area. Formerly favorite barrio of Madrid's royalty, Paseo del Prado is a heaven for art lovers with all the splendid galleries and refined El Retiro offers a tranquil stay among the greenery.
Salamanca is the truly chic area of Madrid with grand sites, luxury hotels and the best city shopping. Chueca is known as a great gay-friendly area which also goes for its hotels and Malasana is a cozy barrio with decent restaurants and bars as well as mid-range hotels and even some cheap deals. Finally, if you don't like staying among tourists but rather wish to experience the true Madrid life, choose a hotel in Chamberi with its numerous restaurants, shops and cinemas.
Madrid accommodation styles
Madrid has no shortage of cheap deals - there are plenty of budget hotels and hostels, offering double rooms with private bathrooms and TV at much lower rates than in most European capitals. Madrid offers the biggest variety in midrange category. The so-called "hotels with charm" are based in the buildings of traditional architecture that were turned into stylish designer hotels, and the rates are amazingly low.
When it comes to luxury Madrid hotels, there are no bounderies for splendor and prices. You can choose a hotel that is an epitome of traditional elegance or a palace of innovative design. One useful tip: "habitacion doble" (double room) usually means a room with twin beds, so a couple should specifically ask for a "cama de matriomonia" (marriage bed). Check-out at most places is noon.
Booking a hotel in Madrid
Some of the top-notch Madrid hotels have special rates for high season, mid-season and low-season. However in different hotels those seasons start and end in different times, usually depending on demand and various major events in Madrid. Hotels targeted at business travellers are likely to have cheaper weekend deals. Because the prices are so uncertain it's only possible to give very approximate rates. Therefore a room in a budget hotel shouldn't be more than 60 euros, mid-range would be 70 to 100 euros on average, and luxury accommodation may cost 200 euros and more. Most hotel prices include 7% IVA tax, though in some cases you won't have to pay it, unless you request a receipt.
Booking ahead of time is always advisable for Madrid hotels, and there's no better way to do it then booking online. It's a great way to save time and money and plan your trip in the comfort of your own home. An impressive hotel database combined with a convenient booking system allows you get the best and cheapest deal with the minimum of your time.
