Madrid, Lisbon, Madeira March 2015

[Lisa in Ottawa]

After much indecision we decided to go to these 3 places over a 2.5 week period. Not our usual slow travel. Originally we were going to Nice instead of Madrid but decided on somewhere new. OMG, the amount of time it takes to figure out where to stay.

We will be 5 nights in Madrid and Lisbon and 7 in Madeira. Somewhere quiet is essential as I am an insomniac and while a quiet night does not ensure sleep. For sure loud noises and banging doors definitely will not. I hadn't realized how noisy Madrid is until it came to booking. Apparently one of the noisiest cities in the world!!!! Yikes almost booked several apartments until I scrutinized the reviews and read about banging doors, thin walls, bars down the street open all night. So.......finally booked Hotel Atlantico. I have never stayed in a hotel for 5 nights but this one had excellent reviews, has been refurbished and no mention of noise. I booked a deluxe room in the hopes that it will be higher up and quieter. Whew!

Lisbon was easier : Chiado Apartments, Garrett 4B

Madeira's main city, Funchal is considered very noisy. As well Madeira seems to cater to the packaged tour set. Just not our style.

I booked this Airbnb. It gets excellent reviews and is supposedly quiet.

Prices all over the map. Madrid quite expensive. The other 2 relatively cheap.

I've sent away for Time Out Madrid and Sunflower Guide to Madeira.

Comments? Sure wish these forums were better utilised as Pauline has done such a good job and it would be fun to chat with likeminded travellers rather than having to wade through TA or Fodors.

 

[jonathan]

We had a brief (3 nights) trip to Madrid in April last year, but I'm sure there are others who know the city far better! Lisbon is great - we had 5 nights there, in Oct 2013; I posted some highlights of that trip in the Other Countries forum, here. I've been to Madeira only once, and that was in 1965...

That Lisbon location looks good: nice and central, but not as potentially noisy as the nearby Bairro Alto district, which has lots of bars & little restaurants with outdoor tables.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

We had a brief (3 nights) trip to Madrid in April last year, but I'm sure there are others who know the city far better! Lisbon is great - we had 5 nights there, in Oct 2013; I posted some highlights of that trip in the Other Countries forum, here. I've been to Madeira only once, and that was in 1965...

That Lisbon location looks good: nice and central, but not as potentially noisy as the nearby Bairro Alto district, which has lots of bars & little restaurants with outdoor tables.

Thanks Jonathan,
I remember your report on Lisbon.

Thank goodness for pre book cancellation for hotels. Although more costly for someone like me a necessity. I canceled Madrid. I read that while the hotel is very nice, it is in an area similar to Time Square in NYC. Very busy. Very touristy. Back to the drawing board. Honestly too much info to wade thru and now the same places pop up no matter what parameters one enters.

No worries. found a place right by Plaza Santa Ana, supposedly one of the prettiest squares in Madrid. Part of the Room Mate chain. I had never heard of them. Small, hip, trendy, paired down. Maybe too hip pour moi but this hotel seems the least trendy. Lovely comments.

Yay! Done.
Just have to remember to cancel the other.
Any comments, pointers on Madrid. Where did you stay?

 

[jonathan]

Very close to your place! We were in an airbnb apartment (very tiny, very cheap, not totally recommendable) in Calle Principe, just off the top RH corner of Pl S Ana which is, indeed, very lovely. That area (Letras = Huertas) was the neighbourhood most recommended by the various Madrid experts I consulted on ST.

It's only a short walk to both the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums (both well worth seeing, of course). The Prado is free entry from 6-8pm on most days: we followed Shannon's tip and waited until 6.30 - by then, the free-entry queues had died down to almost nothing, and we breezed in. (The museum is worth a far more extended visit, of course, but we were very short on time for this trip).

2 good meals in Pl S Ana itself: the nicely old fashioned Cerveceria Alemana, and the far more hip (but not trop hip pour toi, I'm sure!) Lateral.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Very close to your place! We were in an airbnb apartment (very tiny, very cheap, not totally recommendable) in Calle Principe, just off the top RH corner of Pl S Ana which is, indeed, very lovely. That area (Letras = Huertas) was the neighbourhood most recommended by the various Madrid experts I consulted on ST.

It's only a short walk to both the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums (both well worth seeing, of course). The Prado is free entry from 6-8pm on most days: we followed Shannon's tip and waited until 6.30 - by then, the free-entry queues had died down to almost nothing, and we breezed in. (The museum is worth a far more extended visit, of course, but we were very short on time for this trip).

2 good meals in Pl S Ana itself: the nicely old fashioned Cerveceria Alemana, and the far more hip (but not trop hip pour toi, I'm sure!) Lateral.

Thanks! Gave Airbnb a miss for Madrid. Read that supposedly illegal if you stay under 7 nights. Wanted a different experience. But our place in Madeira is airbnb. Funchal is also quite noisy but what can one do. Anyway Carlos says his apartment is quiet.

 

[Jan55612]

Lisa,
We are in Madrid right now. Having a great time. Our apartment is close to the Plaza Mayor, but very quiet at night. The windows that open from the living room/dining room areas look out on a pedestrian-only area and it is a bit noisy in the evening but the windows and shutters keep it down to a manageable level. The bedroom (at the back) is like a tomb. We've had several good food experiences. I think you will love your location--many good restaurants in that area. We'll be in Lisbon from early February until early March, so perhaps I will have a few tips for you by then!

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Jan,
Thanks for the info. I'm embarrassed to confess I've changed my accommodations again. This is positively it! Now we're renting an apartment through Spain Select. Looks great with good reviews and especially a glowing one on Fodors. Honestly, I don't know why I didn't just rent an apartment first thing. We wouldn't have been happy in a hotel for 5 nights. All part of the process, I guess.

I think it's in the same general area, barrio Las Lettras. Just a few minutes from Santa Ana.

Where are you staying in Lisbon?

You're in Madrid now and will be in Lisbon in Feb. Is this all part of the same trip? We are in Lisbon from March 7-12. If you're still there maybe we can meet for a drink.

 

[Jan55612]

Lisa,
We are in a Spain Select apartment in Madrid. Our apartment is on Zaragoza, just off the Plaza Mayor. Amazingly, the bedroom is like a tomb. The downside is that it is on the 4th flour.....lots of steps. But, aside from arriving and departing, I am okay with that. I tried to find a Spain Select apartment close to Plaza Santa Ana that indicated quiet sleeping, but I just chickened out. I LOVE Plaza Santa Ana. Great area.

We arrived a few days ago and depart on November 10 to go home. Prior to arriving in Madrid we were in BCN for a couple of days and then in Gratallops, in the Priorat, for 6 nights. The Catacurian.com cooking/wine adventure was fabulous! We had done a day with Alica a couple of years ago and organized a group of friends to join us in the week program. So, eight of us ate and drank extravagantly for 6 days and nights. Gratallops is charming. Great wine and food. Highly recommended.

We are going to escape winter and arrive in Lisbon on February 7 and depart early on March 8. It appears we could have a glass of wine while we pack and you de-jet lag!

We are staying in a HomeAway apartment. This one: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p812778. The rate was discounted for the month stay. Hope it is as quiet as the reviews indicate, because, like you, I am a light sleeper.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Jan,
We will be in lope de vega 11. The reviews indicate it is quiet. Only a couple of apartments came up when I gave my dates. I eliminated anything on Gran Via and Salamanca. Anyway, this one looks great. In Lisbon we're staying in Chiudo. We won't be suffering from jet lag as we are arriving from Madrid. So a glass of wine sounds lovely.

Now we just have to get through another Canadian winter.

 

[Jan55612]

Lisa, I sent you a private message with my contact information so we can contact each other about getting together in Lisbon.

 

[Lisa in Ottawa]

Hi Jan
I'm in Venice now but I got that info before I left. Thanks. Look forward to meeting you in March. I think we arrive just before you leave.