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.

O my!

I just heard this very week that some people were robbed by two or three guys pretending be anti-drugs policemen. What I am not prety sure is wether they were caught or not (I think I heard they were). Anybody?

Ignacio,

This event happened to my wife and I October of 2002. I made a deposition?/denouncement? at the nearest police commissary the morning after it happened. The police couldn't have looked more bored with my story. I even went to a police station around Plaza Espana to look through a photo book to see if I could identify them. I would consider it a miracle if these people were ever apprehended. Two days later, while walking Plaza Major, I had another immigrant, an Arab, try another trick with me, but he didn't get anything. I immediately went to a building guard and he notified the police, but of course, the perpetrator was long gone before the police arrived.
I have a pretty good impression that Madrid is crawling with this type of crime. A real pity. I've visited Madrid since 1977. In 1999, I didn't encounter any crime. Now, it's terrible.
I've heard horror tales, from the Filippino community, of the severest form of justice, taken against law-abiding citizens. But it seems that criminals who deal in petty crime or crimes against tourists are seldom pursued. Well I guess I know what to do about it. The world's a big place.

[originally posted by blackegg at posted 12-15-2003 12:55 PM]

Madrid: Hostal Fernandez (and Madrid) - Review

I just returned from my first ever visit to Madrid. I can see why MadridMan and others are so mad about Madrid! What a strikingly beautiful city - especially with the abundant Christmas lights around Plaza de Sol and Gran Via.

I always hate to read the review of a first-time cruiser - just a lot of exuberant blubber. I have lived in Europe for ten years and have visited many capitals throughout western and central Europe. But I must say Madrid is truly the most beautiful city in Europe. The culture and architecture are captivating.

Aerocity gets an A+ for taking our group of nine in two vans directly to our Hostal with no other stops. They charged the agreed price of 54 euros for both vans even though we arrived on a Holiday and they could have charged more.

We shivered on the upper decks of the Madrid Vision buses but what a value for money adventure to see the highlights of Madrid.

We were well informed by you message board participants about the potential of pick pockets and petty crime. NONE was seen or experienced!

Hostal Fernandez located just down the street from the Anton Martin Metro stop, was not a disappointment. The three best things about it is location, location, location. The rooms were small but functional and adequate. The staff was helpful though not outgoing (like Alberto at Hostal Adria). The balcony rooms were nice but did little to block the noice of the party goers below. We paid only 54 euro for each of three triple rooms including taxes. I wouldn't expect a long line of people staying here but they are spotlessly clean, cheap, and centrally located.

My wife and I are already planning another trip around Spain to discover other wonderful treasures of this country.

Glad to be back home in Pecs, Hungary! Come and visit our fascinating city sometime!