It is a pity that the building containing this hotel is much less attractive than the surrounding area. But why should you care if you are going to be inside it? Take a look at the hotel's webpage, but you will probably get a better price through the Hotel Club reservation service. The Hotel Club* blurb says: "Hotel Opera is located right in the very heart of the historical center of Madrid, in front of the Teatro de la Opera and only a few meters from the Royal Palace. It is in the center of the shopping area, and only a few minutes walk from the Palace de Oriente, the Senate, the Puerta del Sol, the Plaza de Espana and the Gran Via. Dine in the hotel's restaurant, "Cafe de la Opera", where the waiters are lyrical singers!"

Top

Perfectly placed for art lovers, and so pricier than you might expect. Take a look at the hotel's webpage, but you will get considerably better prices through the Hotel Club reservation service. The Hotel Club* blurb reads: "Hotel El Prado Madrid is located in the central area of the city. It is situated between Puerta del Sol and Paseo del Prado, inside the Triangle of Art, which is formed by the Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Gallery and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum."

Top

Here is a curiosity (demonstrating that this hotel caters to a business market). If you want to book in this hotel for Sunday-Thursday, you will get a considerably better price through the Hotel Club booking service, but for Friday and Saturday, the hotel's webpage offers a slashed rate. The Hotel Club* blurb reads: "Strategically located very close to the financial and tourist centre of the city, this first class hotel offers comfortable accommodations for both business and leisure."

Top

This is a rather swish hotel for its price category, especially if you book through the Hotel Club booking service rather than via the hotel's webpage, though not as conveniently located as they would have you believe. The Hotel Club* blurb reads: "Enjoy the very best environment of the Rafael Piramides Hotel, easily accessible by public transport (buses, underground and suburban train) and direct access from the M-30 ring road, Glorieta Piramides exit. The hotel itself contains 85 rooms and 8 suites, which have been designed to provide special comfort to the business guests and those who come to Madrid for a tourist or cultural stay."

Top

This hotel is very nicely located (though anyone staying on or near the Gran Vía should be aware that pickpockets, bagsnatchers and, more recently and regrettably, muggers have become a minor plague) and has a nice webpage. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to book it through the Hotel Club service. The hotel's blurb says:

"Hotel Regente is a traditional hotel of medium size which is located on the Gran Via of Madrid. It is surrounded by department stores, shops, cinemas, theaters, restaurants and nightclubs... Our customer service is characterised by its individual attention from a friendly and professional staff whose length of service with us averages out at over fifteen years."

Top

Again, very well located and again, be aware of the dangers of the centre of Madrid (but do not be paranoid - Madrid is still a lot safer than, say, London). The Hotel Club* blurb for this hotel reads: "Hotel Regina is a three star hotel, ideally located in the very center of Madrid's business and tourist area. Situated close to the Puerta del Sol, Plaza de las Cortes and the shopping center. Excellent transport facilities are available nearby including the metro and bus. Parking facilities are available for guests right at the front door of the hotel."

Top

The Hotel Club* blurb for this hotel reads: "Hotel Trafalgar is a modern building, centrally located and fully refurbished in the summer of 1999. It is a comfortable 3-star hotel with personalised and friendly service."

Top

The Tryp hotel chain offers more affordable establishments than its rivals such as NH, at similar quality. The Hotel Club* blurb for this hotel reads: "The Tryp Capitol Hotel is located in Callao Square, in the center of Madrid. The hotel has recently been renovated and has a modern decor and many modern facilities. It is ideally situated in close to business and entertainment area, which makes it a great location for both the business and leisure traveller."

Top

I suspect this hotel may be of more interest to business than leisure travellers. The Hotel Club* blurb reads:"Located within the triangle formed by Plaza de Castilla, Castellana and Agustin de Foxa and next to Chamartin railway station, this first-class hotel has well appointed, large, comfortable guest rooms. There is a large garden with a swimming pool that is open during the summer."

Top

The Hotel Club* blurb for this historic hotel waxes more romantic than usual: "The Hotel Tryp Gran Via is housed in a 1925 building, which was renovated in 1992. The hotel is close to the main museums and the city's commercial center, and offers an ideal location from which to discover Madrid. The Hotel Tryp Gran Via also has some literary importance - from its bar, Ernest Hemingway wrote his accounts of the Spanish Civil War in 1936. The hotel has a TV room and a bar for it's guests to relax in. A car park with a capacity for 500 cars is located nearby."

Top

The Hotel Club* blurb for this hotel reads: "The Hotel Tryp Washington stands on Gran Via Street, in the heart of the city, close to the Plaza de Espana and Puerta del Sol. The major historical attractions and commercial areas are located a few minutes from the hotel. The Hotel Tryp Washington offers 120 rooms with air conditioning and heating, complete bathroom, telephone and satellite TV. Other facilities include a public carpark with 700 parking spaces nearby."

Top

The Calle Serrano is in an elegant, historic area, which also means, as the following Hotel Club* blurb says, that it is "exclusive and commercial," i.e., of most interest to shopping freaks. (When they say "fair ground," they mean the enormous Juan Carlos I exhibition centre where most trade fairs are held these days.). Blurb: "Zenith Abeba Hotel Madrid is located in the elegant quarter of Salamanca and very close to Calle Serrano, a very exclusive and commercial street. The hotel is also near the Corte Ingles department store and close to the Las Ventas bullfighting ring. Its location allows for easy accesss to the fair ground and the Barajas airport."

Top