I want to share our very good hotel experiences over the holidays. We stayed at the Gran Via 65 Apartments in Madrid-a one bedroom apt. It was small, but it was very attractive and nicely decorated--a unique style that was a reminder that we were in Spain. The area was convenient to metro, Plaza de Espania, and Principe Pio with a number of reasonably good restaurants around, although there are other areas which I think are more interesting/attractive and would consider for the future--Opera area, near Plaza Major, and Sol. We took a day trip to Segovia--wonderful town--in planning our trip we had considered staying overnite at the Infanta Isabel . It looked very attractive and a nice location on the Plaza Mayor. I'd definitely consider staying there if I returned.
In Seville we stayed at the Apartamentos Murillo . We had a 2 bdrm apt on the top (3rd floor)--rooms were basic, could even say somewhat run down--but unique and charming in their own way--at least we could tell we were in Spain and not in a Howard Johnson's somewhere. but plenty of room--also a bed/couch in the living room so apt. could sleep 5 which my daughter took advantage of to get away from her teenage brother who used one of bedrooms--at a $110/nite we were more than satisfied!! The lobby and halls were attractive and the location couldn't be beat! It is in some of the most attractive (very narrow) streets of the Barrio, near the Plaza Santa Cruz and outlet from the Barria to the Murrillo gardens and C. Mendoza, only steps outside to some very good restaurants, and only a few more steps to the Alcazar, Giralda and associated plazas! I had wanted to stay at the Casas de la Juderia (highly touted in guidebooks), but it was booked when we made travel plans. I walked over to it near the Pl. Sta. Maria la Blanca area--I found this area to be less attractive and more rundown than near the Murillo--also lots of construction going on--noise, dumpsters, construction vehicles and only a half block away from a very busy, shabby commercial street to the east. The lobby and courtyards of the Casas looked tired and almost rundown to me (didn't see the rooms, perhaps they are very nice). Had we stayed there, I would have been disappointed re. the location and appearance, especially considering the much higher price!
Back again in Madrid we stayed at the NH Nacional on Paseo del Prado--convenient to Atocha, metro, and Prado. Our 2 rooms were modern and wonderful--what I'd imagine a Spanish hotel room should look like--a Picasso type modern design--modern furniture in ochres, ambers, wood floors of red and varied colors, balcony with automatic shutters, refrigerator, electric tea/coffee set--for $80/room/nite (I think a similar room in Paris or New York would be $150+). It seems the price decreased recently, maybe after sept 11. ALL of our rooms in all 3 hotels were VERY clean. Even tho the rooms in the Murrillo and National were smoking rooms, there was not a HINT of smoke smell in the rooms, blankets or pillows (better than I can say for some non-smoking rooms in US chains!!) Also the staff in all 3 places were helpful and polite. We were so happy with our choices--we enjoyed everything about them and they helped make our trip a great one!

[ 01-06-2002: Message edited by: MadridMan ]