Please help me. I am brand new and will visit Madrid in a few weeks with my family. Arriving on the first weekend of December with TWO national holidays on one weekend. I finally booked at the Hostal Fernando right by the Anton Martin Metro stop. Does ANYONE know or have recommendations about this hostal? Will I regret booking this? Other suggestions right near that area? Thanks......BLACKEGG

I've never heard of Hostal Fernánez, blackegg, I'm sorry. I do know they don't have a website (unless it's brand new). Have you tried doing a SEARCH (SEARCH link in upper righthand corner) yet? I don't recall reading a review about it but maybe I missed it. How did you come about choosing this place? Was it recommended by someone you know? Depending on what side of the Anton Martín metro station this hostel is located, it could be a sketchy area at night. To the south side you have Lavapies - this can be sketchy at night.

Good luck to you! Saludos, MadridMan

Dear Madridman:

Is it possible to STUMP the Madridman?? I don't want to sound like a cocky newcomer. :p I am increasingly fearful that I may be the fool in this endeavor!

I called this Hostal Fernandez many times and the people seemed very helpful. I faxed all the relevant info and they faxed me back promtly confirming the reservation. OF COURSE, they have my CC info!?!

The hotel contact info is:

Hostal Fernandez
C/. Leon, 10
Tfno. 914295637
Fax 913693337

I found this contact on the www.eurocheapo.com/madrid site. Click the link Hotels and Pensions near Atocha. Hostal Fernandez is listed almost at the bottom. It is supposed to be an "editor's pick."

MAYBE someone could please stop by and check this place out for us.

Thanks......Blackegg

Aha! That explains it. I really only know of the hostels which have their own websites and not those that don't or which may be part of a reservation service. After you stay there (if you do decide to stay there) will you please come back here and give us your personal review so that it may help other, future travelers? Thanks and good luck!!

Saludos, MadridMan

Hi Blackegg and Madridman,

I just did a search with QDQ.com's maps because I thought I recognized the address 10 Calle Leon as being close to my favorite Bar-Cerveceria. It looks like 10 Calle Leon is in the Huertas area of Madrid. I have mixed feelings about this area of Madrid. In 1999, I stayed at Hostel Dulcinea in the Huertas, and I thought it was a great area, not too noisy, and still close to everything such as Puerta del Sol and the Prado. However, last year, I was accosted in this area and so I would be hesitant to stay there now. But, it is always possible I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Overall, although I don't know this particular hostel, the area is okay. It is north of Calle Atocha and close to Plaza Sta. Anna. I don't think this would be the Lavapies area. I'll try to paste a map link here: http://www10.mappy.com. Well, not so successful, but try this link and put in 10 Calle Leon.
Oh, by the way, have a very good time in Madrid.

Dear Madridman and Gazpacho:

Thanks for your help and input. I feel a bit relieved. I will definitely write in when I return in time for the Christmas Madrid goers.

If anyone else has input on Hostal Fernandez, please let me know,

Blackegg

Hello all.

Gazpacho, what do you mean by "accosted"? I looked it up in the online dictionary, and I got this:

"abordar", "dirigirse a" in the sense of "speaking with". You were "spoken" in the street od disturbed or what?

Ignacio

Accost =

Approach
Stop
Waylay
Confront
Buttonhole (?!)
Detain

I suspect gazpacho meant that they were approached in a non-friendly manner? I think it usually means someone is asking something unreasonable of you, or for something that makes you feel uncomfortable. Sometimes it can be physical too.

For example: ie if someone accosted you in the street for some money, they would probably catch you unawares and demand the money in a threatening way.

Hmph, language never was my forte but I tried.

Jo

U did very well. You explained it pretty thoroughly. Now, I think I know what happened.

Yes Ignacio, Jo-Anne nailed it,

Even when I wrote that word, I thought I might have used it incorrectly. More plainly, I was robbed. By two immigrants posing as Madrid policemen. Not a very pleasant memory of Madrid, but that topic I'm not going to discuss here in hte Hostel & Lodging section.