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Accommodation

Although prices are beginning to reflect those in other European capitals, Madrid's hotels still offer a good cost-quality ratio, with bargains to be found - or negotiated - at weekends, Christmas, during Easter Week, in August, and sometimes between October and November. Tyrannical concierges continue to define Madrileńos hospitality in budget accommodation - hostales and pensiones. At all times, 7% IVA (Value Added Tax) is added on to hotel bills and is not included in the prices shown below.

Of Madrid's 60,000 beds, approximately one half are in four- and five-star hotels. Low to mid-priced hotels cluster around the Golden Triangle, with middle-of-the-range business hotels in the Castellana and Salamanca districts. Those keen to sample Madrid's nightlife may choose to stay in the buzzing Santa Ana area. All the hotels listed below have air conditioning. The Brújula agency, Calle de Princesa 1 (tel: (91) 733 0657), provides an accommodation booking service. Their branches are located at the airport bus terminal on Plaza de Colón (tel: (91) 575 9680), Camartín Station (tel: (91) 315 7894) and Atocha station (tel: (91) 539 1173).

Palace Hotel

Plaza de las Cortes 7, 28014 Madrid
Tel: (91) 360 8000. Fax: (91) 360 8100.
Web site: www.palacemadrid.com
Cost: Pta60,000 (breakfast not included).

In accordance with the wishes of King Alfonso XIII, the Baroque Palace Hotel was whipped up in just 15 months and opened in 1913. Its level of luxury and discreet service equals its rival the Ritz, just opposite. The striking stained-glass dome in the central Rotonda Hall, beautifully appointed rooms (440 of them including suites), excellent business facilities (including business centre and services) and fine Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine served at La Cupola draw well-heeled businesspeople and a string of stars.

Hotel Villa Magna

Paseo de la Castellana 22, 28046 Madrid
Tel: (91) 576 7500. Fax: (91) 575 9504.
E-mail: villamagna@hyattintl.com
Cost: Pta60,000 (breakfast costs Pta3100).

An unprepossessing concrete exterior clads the faded grandeur of the Hotel Villa Magna, located near the luxury boutiques of the Salamanca shopping district. The pampering staff have smoothed the egos of Madonna and Oasis, who inevitably chose the biggest hotel suite in Madrid, complete with a baby grand piano. The 182 rooms draw business folk and opulent tourists. Business facilities are good, and services exhaustive. Splashing out at the excellent Berceo-Le-Divellec is recommended - failing that, the Champagne Bar serves good tapas.

Hotel Ritz

Plaza de la Lealtad 5, 28014 Madrid
Tel: (91) 521 2857 or 521 5802 (reservations).
Fax: (91) 532 8776.
E-mail: reserva@ritz.es
Web site: www.ritz.es
Cost: Pta51,000-71,000 (breakfast costs Pta3500).

Alfonzo XIII established the Ritz in 1910 to give Madrid its first truly luxurious hotel. This intimate 158-room hotel is located in the heart of Madrid, overlooking the Prado and close to the financial district and Madrid's stock exchange. Stepping over its handwoven carpets, slipping into its marble baths or between its hand-embroidered sheets is a sensual and immediately relaxing experience.

The award-winning Goya Restaurant serves international cuisine and Spanish specialities, the Ritz Terrace offers tapas, and tea is served in the hotel lobby to the tinkle of live piano music. The fitness centre comes with sauna and personal trainers, the impeccably equipped business centre provides secretarial services and bilingual staff. Elegant meeting and banqueting rooms are complemented by experienced conference managers, catering staff and butlers.

Hotel Santo Mauro

Calle Zurbano 36, 28010 Madrid
Tel: (91) 319 6900. Fax: (91) 308 5477.
E-mail: santomauro@itelco.es
Cost: Pta46,000 (breakfast costs Pta3000).

This stately Belle Epoque house was once home to various embassies, and embassies line the surrounding streets here, just to the north of central Madrid. The hotel opened in the early 1990s and has already welcomed Catherine Deneuve and Simon Le Bon. Its strong selling points are lovely gardens where breakfast is served, a mosaic-lined pool, discreet service and 37 individually decorated rooms, some with hydromassage bath. Business services and conference facilities are more than adequate. The Beleagua restaurant serves Spanish cuisine in a charming old library or, for a small surcharge, in the domed converted chapel.

Hotel Wellington

Calle de Velázquez 8, 28001 Madrid
Tel: (91) 575 4400. Fax: (91) 576 4164.
E-mail: wellin@genio.infor.es
Cost: Pta36,000 (breakfast costs Pta2250).

This chic hotel, close to Las Ventas bullring, Retiro Park, and the smart shopping area around Calle de Goya, is best known for the bullfighting tertulias who stay here during the San Isidro festival in May. The Anglo-business community are a permanent fixture - conference facilities and business services are good - and the Flamenco dance club in the basement keeps the atmosphere distinctly Spanish year round. Along with 298 airy rooms, the hotel boasts a sauna and pool, ticket agency and currency exchange, and limousine service for guest use.

Hotel NH Eurobuilding

Calle del Padre Damián 23, 28036 Madrid
Tel: (91) 345 4500. Fax: (91) 345 4576.
Cost: Pta33,125 (breakfast costs Pta2200).

Bland, but geared to meeting the needs of the most demanding business traveller, this 600-room hotel in a quiet residential and business area has an exhaustive list of services, ranging from business services and conference facilities to currency exchange and interpreting. Guests can relax in the fitness centre or splash in the indoor and outdoor pools before being whisked off by the hotel's exclusive limousine service.

Hotel Santo Domingo

Plaza de Santo Domingo 13, 28013 Madrid
Tel: (91) 547 9800. Fax: (91) 547 5995.
E-mail: reserva@hotelsantadomingo.es
Cost: Pta18,050-24,625 (breakfast costs Pta1450).

This hotel is centrally located in a little side street off Plaza de Santo Domingo, just ten minutes walk from the Plaza Mayor. The 120 rooms are quirky and pastel-painted; the best have balconies with rooftop views and some have Jacuzzis. The hotel has good conference facilities, a ticket agency and offers a currency exchange service.

Hotel Inglés

Calle Echegaray 8, 28014 Madrid
Tel: (91) 429 6551. Fax: (91) 420 2423.
Cost: Pta12,305 (breakfast costs Pta600).

This small family-owned hotel dates back to 1853. Overlooking the buzzing Plaza Santa Ana, it is ideally located for the tapas bars, and offers excellent value.

Hotel Mónaco

Calle Barbieri 5, 28004 Madrid
Tel: (91) 522 4630. Fax: (91) 521 1601.
Cost: From Pta10,000 (breakfast unavailable).

Once a brothel favoured by King Alfonso XIII, the Mónaco is now a kitsch hotel, with mock-marble staircases, nymphs galore and a glitzy dining room. There are 32 rooms, including The King's Room (number 20) which has mirrors behind the bed. All rooms are in great demand, so early booking is advised.

Hotel Mora

Paseo del Prado 32, 28014 Madrid
Tel: (91) 420 1569. Fax: (91) 429 1569.
Cost: Pta8453.

This 62-room hotel enjoys an enviable location opposite the Prado and close to Atocha station. The reasonably priced rooms and a lively café-bar on site make it a good budget choice.



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