Hi all,
Just wanted to let you know that I spent two nights (Dec. 31 and Jan. 1) at Hostal Castro in Madrid and it was pleasant. I contacted them using MadridMan\'s list of online hostals It's right down a small street from the Anton Martin metro station. The proprietor was a very nice older lady. Her daughter speaks some English. The room was clean, with towels and a bathroom. We paid 42 euros per night for a double (two beds). The street was quiet (even on New Years Eve!) but we were not far from anything.