Okay, I've finally bought my ticket to Madrid! I arrive on May 3 and return back to Edmonton on May 15. My rough plans are to spend the first four nights in Madrid which includes a daytrip to Toledo. Then I will take either the bus or train to Granada for two nights, a full day which will be in the Alhambra. I guess I should buy my tickets in advance, correct? Then I am off to Seville for five nights and back up to Madrid for my final night before the long return home.

Now, I need to finalize my hotels. In Madrid its down to: Hotel Europa , CarlosV , or the Regina . I started a previous thread on the Europa and would like an opinion on wheteher the substantially more expensive CarlosV or Regina is that much better compared to the Europa especially with noise and room sizes. I am willing to spend more for less noise the first few nights in case I need to nap during siesta and want some quiet time. Also, I did a search on Hotel Simon in Seville and couldn't find anything. Anybody ever stay here and opinions por favor? I am also faxing Las Casas de la Juderia today to see if I can get in. I'm treating myself this trip as it's been a long time since I've had a solo adventure like this and, to use the cliche, you only live once and I think a decent place will help with my peace of mind in a far away place.
Thanks so much for your help, this has been an amazing place for assistance.
Also, what bus do I take to get to Granada from Madrid?

Dargus

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

Hi

We stayed in Carlos V in May 2000 and couldn't have been happier. Very very quiet room, because it faced into the internal 'area'.

Read these three posts below to which I've added my experiences of Carlos V.


Carlos V

Carlos V again

.. . and Carlos V again . . .

Let us know what you choose and how you enjoyed it when you return.

I stayed 3 nights in Las Casas de la Juderia in October 2001 and it was fabulous! The room was huge. We had an entire sitting room and a separate bedroom. The bathrooms was all marble and had both a tub and shower. There was a beautiful patio that looked onto the courtyard with a fountain. It smelled of jasmine every morning. It was in the Santa Cruz quarter but not in the direct "heart" of it - just a 5 minute walk to Plaza de Venerables.

As for the Hotel Simon, I've read good things about it. However, an acquaintance of mine who booked a room there were so disappointed in the hotel they cancelled their reservation and left Seville 2 days early (they had spend the first 3 days in las casas de la Juderia). I don't know if they were just being super "picky" or if it truly was horrible.

If you want to stay in the Santa Cruz area La Hosteria de Dona Lida looked like a great budget option. I had lunch and dinner there and it was absolutely fabulous (menu de la casa 3000 ptas). They have only 8 rooms (doubles for 8000 ptas) and a lady I met that was staying there said they were very comfortable and clean but nothing fancy.

Hosteria de Dona Lina

I can't help you much with Madrid. We stayed at the Reina Victoria and I wouldn't stay there again (great location but not worth the price). Personally, I'd want to be somewhere between Puerta del Sol and Plaza Santa Ana. I'd also reconsider the number of days in Madrid and perhaps spend a night or 2 in Toledo and or Segovia - just my personal opinion.

Hope this helps.

[ 02-11-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

We stayed 3 nights in each of the Carlos V and Casas de Las Juderia in Oct.2001. I liked the Carlos V, however am staying in a quiet hostal this March. It is lovely and clean and the staff courteous. But we just did not use the facilities they offered enough to justify the extra $$. In Seville, though, that I would do again. The rooms were marvelous and you can't beat the location! Very quiet and convenient.

ToniG, How do you know it is lovely, clean, and has a courteous staff if you haven't yet stayed there. Or have you?? And to what hostel are you referring??

MM

Did ToniG mean that at the Carlos V it was clean and the staff courteous rather than at the hostal?

Jo

[ 02-12-2002: Message edited by: Jo-Anne ]

Thanks guys!
ToniG - which hostal are you referring to for March? And what facilities did you not use? I guess I am trying to enquire if the Carlos V or Regina, both at around Cdn$130 a night, are that much better than the Europa which I can get for Cdn$80 a night for a single. That's a $50 a night difference, about 60% more to stay in the Carlos V or Regina. For my first trip over, solo, I want to have a decent, quiet room to assist with my jetlag as I am a very light sleeper and are willing to pay more than I usually do just for that reason.

Dargus

Jo-Anne, I guess we'll have to wait until we hear from ToniG to clear this up.

dargus, with all the business this message board has sent to Hotel Carlos V (and SINCE they seemingly significantly raised their prices since last year) I'd think we could all qualify for "The MadridMan Discount". Seriously! When you contact them, ask them or suggest it to them. Who knows - maybe they'll give you 5-10% off!

That Las Casas de la Judería & Hotel Simon in Sevilla look GREAT from the few photos I've seen!

Saludos, MadridMan

MM - you are right about Carlos V prices. I hadn't thought to check this years prices.

A double seems to be 110.37 euros (= about 18,000 pts?). When we went, in 2000, a double room was about 13,000 and I think this was including IVA which the 18,000 pts doesn't).

What a shame, because I do still recommend it as a place to stay, but feel that the cost to stay there has increased so much, it's worth considering alternatives.

We felt we were paying quite a lot when we stayed there, but because it was such a sanctuary we felt it was worth it at the time. However, having stayed in Hostal Martin in Madrid for 7 or 8,000 pts per night and being more than happy, I wouldn't think it worth forking out so much more for the bit of luxury you would get at Carlos V.

I wonder if so many have been recommended to and stayed at Carlos V via this board and other means, that they feel they can charge more knowing they can fill the rooms? :p

Oh, well . . . .

You pays your money, you takes your choice . . .

Jo

Cathy, how did you make reservation with Las Casas de la Juderia in Seville? I faxed them a few days ago and have not yet heard a reply. Is english spoken there? Also, I have offcially made a reservation with the Carlos V. It's more than I would like to spend but I am counting on it to be quieter than the Europa which I will check out when I am there for future, cheaper accomodations. Thanks so much for your help!
BTW is anybody else planning to be in Madrid or Seville between May 3 - 15? Let me know!

Dargus

I contacted Las Casas de la Juderia via email. juderia@zoom.es

The responded with 24 hours. I used a form that I found in Rick Steve's web site and altered it slightly for my taste:
Rick Steve's reservation form

I reserved all of my rooms using this form and it worked great.

The staff spoke very good english and they were just sooooo nice. I wish I could go back in May.

Ok...The Carlos V in Madrid is quiet, etc....We did not use the little bar nor the breakfast/ dining rooms, nor the minibar, nor the patio with the table and chairs that the Carlos V had available. I made reservations at the Casas de la Juderia in Sevilla through a bicycle tour company that I had made arrangements with, so am not sure how they went about it (BTW we had a great bike tour and would be happy to give the tour company a plug if anyone is so inclined!). We will give you feedback on the Hostal Las Fuentes in Madrid after we get back from our March 2002 trip!

Gosh I hope this is clear!

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

I have officially reserved rooms with the Carlos V and the Casas de la Juderia in Sevilla. Thank you CathyM for their email address as they responded to me within a day and the price for a single is 82Eu plus tax (about Cdn$112). Now I need to only book a Granada hotel and then it's over and done with. I've never really been one to book everything prior to departure as I am a spontaneaous type but I want to be guaranteed these excellent accomodations for this trip as I have a feeling good rooms could be hard to come by if I wait until last minute. Thanks so much!
I am looking forward to this trisp so veryyy much!

Dargus

We stayed at Hotel Simon in Sevilla in November and it was pretty simple for the price, but fine with a great location. I have no hesitation in recommending it. Also, you might consider the Hotel Mora in Madrid. We stayed there for 5 nights. It's just down the street from the the Prado, very close to Atocha and about $50.00 per night.

[ 02-14-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]

We had the coolest 2-level room in Casas de la Juderia -- bathroom up, and sleeping about 5 steps down. Our travelling companions, both of whom are 6' tall, were not thrilled with the antique bed which was the equivalent of an American double bed, with headboard and footboard! Nonetheless, they were good sports and managed to get some sleep. I reached the staff via fax and e-mail. They were delightful people and spoke English if you need it. They also got us a table on very short notice at a Flamenco club -- be sure to ask.

I finally booked a room at the Hotel Macia in Granada at 42 Euros a night for a single, quiet side of the building. One question I have is how safe I will be walking back to the Carlos V in Madrid alone (late at night I would assume)? If I am in the Plaza Santa Ana or La Latina district should I heed more caution and take a taxi or will I be okay walking?
Thanks!

Dargus

You will most certainly not be alone if walking around Santa Ana/La Latina late at night.Feels much safer than most other places Ive been,including my hometown!Walk,experience and enjoy!

. . . and Carlos V is in a very non-threatening area. The street is fully lit, and always busy with people. It's on quite a wide street, so you don't need to walk near any darker streets on either side, just stick to the middle.

As for Wakefield, Mick Nick - now that is a scary place. One of my most eye-opening evenings was in Rooftop Gardens!

Jo

Dont start me on Shaky Wakey.........

We stayed at Las Casas de la Judería while on our honeymoon last September. I booked it through an online hotel reservation website, not directly with them. Maybe that's why we got the room we had, I don't know. I had mentioned that we were on our honeymoon and asked for the best room available. From all the nice things I had read about the place here and elsewhere, I don't think it was one of their better rooms. The room was ok, small, and opened to the entrance alley rather than an interior courtyard, so it was a bit noisy. We also had a bit of an ant problem in the bathroom. However, the rest of the hotel seemed really nice, the staff were friendly and we loved the location. We could always stop and have one last Cruzcampo and a plate of olives at one of the cafes in the plaza right outside the hotel on our way back each evening. We enjoyed wandering aimlessly around the neighborhood and the main attractions were easy to walk to from there. I also liked their breakfast. So for the money, I would definitely stay there again. I just would have liked to have had one of their nicer rooms while on my honeymoon. Also, the cab ride to the hotel through the old Jewish quarter was like an amusement park ride, speeding through the narrow streets, around blind corners, dodging pedestrians and scooters......kind of, um, FUN, actually. Glad I wasn't driving.

I stayed at BOTH Carlos V and Hotel Europa during my visit to Madrid in May 2000. There was'nt that much difference. Carlos V has better amenities, and the rooms were a bit alrger, but that $50 difference could be put to better use, IMHO. Europa had a nice staff , and the cafe next door made a mean tortilla de espana. Also, it overlooks Puerta del Sol, so an outside room could be a bit noisy.