Best Western Carlos V, Madrid

Advantages: Centrally located, high quality, not too expensive
Disadvantages: None apparent, other than it doesn't serve dinner in the evenings.

...I stayed in hotel Carlos V in April 2001 and was very pleased with the overall standard. It is a Best Western hotel, and is ranked as three star, a rank it has no difficulty in justifying in my view. The hotel is located in the pedestrian area between Gran Via and Puerta del Sol, well within walking distance of many of Madrid’s tourist attractions such as the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace and the Prado museum. It is located in a good shopping area with El Corte Ingles department store just around the corner (which has an excellent food hall on the sub-ground floor by the way). There are many café’s in the area, and the prices are remarkably low for someone used to English prices. The restaurant on the top floor of El Corte Ingles is an excellent place to eat too. It is decorated to a very high standard, tiled floors... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to do, food,drink, accom is cheap, metro is great
Disadvantages: Crime, few speak English/German/French,

...costs 145pts so the 10 ticket option is more sensible. Car I wouldn't advise driving in Madrid. It's slow, busy and the drivers are v.aggressive. Still, if you're gonna travel, then all the usual rental firms are at the airport. Hotels A good range, loads in the centre. If you're turning up on spec, head for Sol as there are loads of cheap n cheerful hostels there. We stayed in the Plaza d'ort, which we found on the internet. To get there, find O'connel St Irish pub and walk up the road from there. We payed 21000 pts for 2 single beds, en suite bathroom for 3 days, so about £80 for 2 ppl for 3 days. There are of course larger, more luxurious hotels such as the Ritz and Savoy (!) And of course Holiday Inn / Best Western etc. Food Loads of tapas bars, usually serving up seafood, potato salad, crisps, sausage / veal. Usual fast food... Read review

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Advantages: culture, people, nightlife
Disadvantages: none

...ok i am going to give a more detail view of Madrid. First of all Madrid is the greenest city in Europe , people don´t know that but is true you´ll find historical parks like Retiro, Campo del moro, fuente del berro,el capricho parque del oeste and on the other hand you have new parks like Juan Carlos I close to the airport and huge parks like casa del campo. A good itinerary to see part of the old Madrid starts at the royal palace, is a towering structure that has already 250 years of history and it is considered one of the best in Europe. Then should take calle mayor and you´ll find at your right La plaza de la villa, It's surrounded by 15th to 17th-century aristocratic mansions that have been taken over by the Town Hall. At this point if you want you can get lost on the narrow streets or if you prefer stay on calle mayor and you... Read review

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