| Lodging
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Introduction
Madrid places more than 84,000 hotel beds, ranging from the swankiest of the swank down to the flea infested and from overnight to long term, at your disposal. The majority of these can be found within the M-30 (the highway which encircles the city), effectively city center, although there are excellent hotels in the suburbs and surrounding towns.
 The most notable, and positive, characteristic of Spanish lodging is its cleanliness. It is difficult, but not impossible, to encounter dirty towels or inhospitable service. If a problem does occur in your travels, it will most likely result from equipment, decor, or noise. Yes, Madrid is a city that can be a tad noisy and some hotels have not thoroughly prepared themselves against the boisterousness of Madrid's 5-Star night life.
In theory, the nomenclature of *Stars* corresponds to the different services and qualities that each hotel supposedly offers. In practice, it ain't quite that clear and the characteristics of each category overlap somewhat.
| Youth Hostels |
Under this specific title (not Hostals), there are only two in Madrid. They have extremely limited space, especially in summer, when thousands of backpackers descend upon the city with their Inter/Euro-Rail passes in hand. As such, if you'd like to reserve a bed make it before you come and have your IH (or equivalent Youth Hostal) card ready.
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| Apartaments |
If you are going to reside in Madrid for a reasonable period of time, this is most likely the best option. More comdortable than an hotel, independent and personal. Anything from a penthouse in the center of town to sharing a flat with the last remaining hippies from Woodstock.
Whatever you're looking for in Madrid, you'll find it here.
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| Camping |
These days its stil considered somewhat romatic to travel the world, seeing it through the zip-down window of a tent or through the next evolutionary step, a mobile home. Unfortunately, most urban inhabitants aren't very understanding with those that choose this alternative form of lodging. Nevertheless, close to most cities they are excellent camping facilities, even some where you'll find accomodations that you believed only hotels offered.
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| Country houses |
Predominantly used by national tourists, that is to say by Spaniards. This is the best way to know, usually with excellent quality of accomodations and very reasonable prices, the heart of Spain. While Madrid lies in the geographical center, it does not let you get to know Spain and true Spaniards like you can in the small towns and villages which dot the landscape. All who choose to travel this route fall in love with a Spain they didn't yet know (including Spaniards) and a paradise they never want to leave. Within the Province of Madrid, some are private homes, but most belong to the state.
For more information about rural houses within the Province call 91.868.8698 Monday to Friday 9 to 17 and Saturdays from 10 to 17.
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| Hostals |
Its should be understood that those establishments that operate under this label neither have the resources nor the physical attributes of hotels, but that would give them too negative a name. In reality, many hostals are exactly equal to hotels of an inferior category. Don't let these preceeding statements confuse you, but rather understand that some 2 and 3 star hostals are of a higher quality than a 1 or 2 star hotel and, conversely, there are many hostals that simply cannot compete with hotels of similar star stature.
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| Hotels |
Withoout a doubt, *Stars* guarantee absolutely nothing. There are 1 and 2 star hotels that have a phenomenal price and are in excellent condition, but amazingly have a lower star rating than hotels higher up. (The Hotel Mónaco is an excellent example.) With this said, in nearly all 3 star hotels and all 4/5 star hotels you will be certain to receive the quality lodging you imagined when booking it.
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| Pensions |
Family style lodging. Most frequently, a house that rents out rooms to travelers that wish to stay for a short while. Once this was predominantly owned/operated by single and widowed women as a means of self sustenence. (As such, it had a frequent presence in Spanish literature of the 19th and 20th centuries.)
In their favor, Pensions have a reputation for being very homey and hospitable, as well as economical. Our only advice is to stay only in those places that have been recommended to you.
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