Best bets for a place to stay in Madrid

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Best for Families: The family-friendly, chain-run Novotel Madrid (tel. 800/221-4542 in the U.S., or 91-724-76-00) on the outskirts of town is a good place for the whole clan. Rates are reasonable, and the bedrooms can easily be arranged to sleep children. There's also a pool, and the breakfast buffet is one of the most generous in Madrid. Children 15 and under stay free in their parent's room.

Best Moderately Priced Hotel: Built in 1966 and still going strong, the reasonably priced Fiesta Gran Hotel Colón (tel. 91-573-59-00) is west of Retiro Park in a relatively safe area of Madrid that's easily connected to the center by subway. It's well maintained and kept up-to-date, offering well-designed bedrooms with comfortably traditional furnishings.

Best Budget Hotel: In the very heart of Old Madrid, off the Plaza Mayor, Hostal la Macarena (tel. 91-365-92-21), has been housing readers comfortably and well -- all for an affordable price -- for decades. Surrounded by ancient buildings, the little inn is modest itself, but its welcome is warm, its staff accommodating, and its price is right.

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Best Service: There are grander hotels in Madrid, but it's hard to find a staff as highly motivated, professional, and efficient as the one at the Castellana InterContinental Hotel (tel. 800/327-0200 in the U.S., or 91-310-02-00). Room service is offered around the clock, and the staff is adept at solving your Madrid-related problems. Nothing seems to make them lose their cool, even when there's a long line at the desk.

Best Location: Tryp Reina Victoria (tel. 91-531-45-00) is for those who want to be in the heart of Old Madrid, within easy walking distance of all those midtown Hemingway haunts. Dozens of the finest tapas bars are literally at your doorstep, and you can walk among the flower vendors, cigarette peddlers, and lottery-ticket hawkers, enjoying an atmosphere that's missing from the newer and more modern section of Madrid.

Best Hotel Health Club: The Ritz (tel. 800/225-5843 in the U.S., or 91-701-67-67) is not only the most historic hotel in Madrid, but it's also got a state-of-the-art fitness center on its top floor. The 533-sq.-m (1,727-sq.-ft.) gym overlooks the Prado Museum, Los Jerónimos Church, and the tree-lined Paseo del Prado. All Ritz guests have complimentary use of most of the center's services and facilities, which include English-speaking professional trainers, the latest exercise equipment, saunas, UVA rays, dressing rooms, showers, lockers, and an outside jogging trail that's open March to October.

Best Views: Often called the Waldorf-Astoria of Spain, the 26-story Crowne Plaza Madrid City Centre (tel. 91-547-12-00) has been one of Madrid's massive landmarks since 1953. From its bedroom windows you'll have views of the city skyline. Try for one of the units on the eighth floor with a balcony.

For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed accommodations, visit our online hotels index.

Frommer’s is America’s bestselling travel guide series. Visit Frommers.com to find great deals, get information on over 3,500 destinations, and book your trip. © 2006 Wiley Publishing, Inc. Republication or redistribution of Frommer's content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Wiley.

24-Hour Layover: Madrid

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