Hostal Astoria - Madrid

Average rating:  6.5

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Apr 2008

We really enjoyed our stay in Madrid and in hostal Astoria. The hostal has a very unique location near the Prado museum

Guest name: KB, Norway

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Mar 2008

Pleasant low cost hotel. Very well situated for art galleries. Very helpful staff.

Guest name: Kevin Richards, United Kingdom

Average rating:  1.6

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Mar 2008

Although its strategic location near the Prado and generally high rating may seem appealing at first, I would advise everyone to exercise extreme caution when considering staying here. Our experience in Madrid was marred by a frightening experience in an elevator and the subsequent apathy of the receptionists. On the last day of our trip, my family and I found ourselves in a life-threatening predicament when stuck between floors in the hostel’s old and dysfunctional elevator. Panicking at first, we decided to constantly ring the elevator’s emergency bell, as the elevator had no emergency phone. Nevertheless, our efforts to gain help by ringing the bell proved futile, as no one even heard the bell, completely eliminating the sole purpose of an emergency bell. Deciding to then call the hostel from our family cell phone, we found the concierge extremely nervous and incapable of handling the situation in a rational manner, as she refused to call the fire department for any help. Instead, we were forced to wait gasping for breath for about 40 minutes for the hostel’s boss to open the elevator with the key and level the elevator safely. Expecting a simple “sorry” or some other form of an apology after we got out, though, our family instead received a silent, blank stare from both the concierge and the boss, highlighting their carelessness and incompetence. Thankfully, the concierge, at this juncture, spoke English; most of the hostel’s other concierge’s, however, do not speak English. If we had gotten stuck at a time during which no English-speaking receptionist was present, things would surely have been worse. The chance of one finding him/herself in such a quandary is quite high in this hostel, so taking this risk in order to save a few dollars is hardly worth it. Yes, though the rooms are nice and clean, the insensitive and faulty reception is enough to advise others to steer clear of this hostel. And, VENERE must include a cautionary note abou

Guest name: SS, USA

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Feb 2008

Room is good for a single person for a short stay as there is little space, but makes good use of the space available and is very clean. Hotel staff were helpful with questions. Felt very homely for a hotel. In a good location, very close to major attractions.

Guest name: PC, Australia

Average rating:  10.0

Guest type: Not Specified

stayed in Jan 2008

This hotel is very well situated , close to calle de Alcala , cibeles , puerta del sol , paseo del prado (museo del prado), museo Thyssen Bornemitza and so on ...

Guest name: GW, France

Average rating:  7.1

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

Value for money so you do get what you paid for, wifi a bit flaky, particularly down corridor, had to sit in corridor to pick up signal. Slap bang in middle of museum and palace and round the corner from metro station so with metro card can zoom around pretty easily. Bit hard to find as it is in building with 2 other hostels so keep a look out for the smallish sign else you'll shoot by.

Guest name: AL, Australia

Average rating:  5.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Dec 2007

price was really good considering period (Xmas holidays). Rooms are too small and noisy.

Guest name: DP, Italy

Average rating:  9.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in May 2007

This is an excellent hotel. At first you may think you made a mistake the entrance to this hotel may make you raise an eyebrow. The entrance and reservation area is not too pleasant at first. They may of been renovating. It is shared with commercial businesses. Yet once you are lead in the direction of your room it is like you are in a whole another place. Rooms are spacious compared to european standards. The room was modern. Bathroom was clean. The balcony was an added touch. I would stay here again. It is convienant to all eateries, shopping, attractions and transportation. I gaurantee you will love it here.

Guest name: Manuel Ramos, USA

Average rating:  9.6

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Dec 2007

We will say we had a bit of trouble finding it, not knowing it was #30 or #5(it was address 30, floor 5). When we did find it they let us check in early(around 10am) and we got a room on the 4th floor. Yes, there's an elevator(which made me giggle with glee after having an apt on the 5th floor the city before) I didn't realize this was a HOSTAL as venere doesn't mention it, so I was really worried. But once we got to our room I relaxed. It was the best hotel on our stay around spain and the least expensive. Had free internet/computer in the common area, awesome price for a night, soda machine which if you're thirsty enough is a godsend at 1.50 Euro. My boyfriend described the shower as the "Best of his life", it had jets, 2 shower heads & HOT water. We had a flat screen TV, safe, desk, very clean bath, and surprise! our very own private terrace?! yes. In a hostal. I was beyond shocked. I wish we could have stayed more then a night. It was about a block away from Puerta de Sol, the centre of Madrid, metro line is also there. Easy to get around. STAY HERE, its FANTASTIC!(just request the 4th floor as I hear the 5th is under renovations)

Guest name: Jeffrey Lavallee, USA

Average rating:  8.6

Guest type: Group

stayed in Nov 2007

The Hotel location near the city centre was excellent to locate many of the available things to do in Madrid.We found the Hostal very clean. The price was reasonable (90 euro for a triple room) but our room wasn't spaciousness at all. The bathroom was very clean. Good organization and competence, employees very kind.

Guest name: IB, Italy

Average rating:  2.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Nov 2007

Very disappointing. First of all it is not a hotel, it is a hostel. The room was very tiny. I have never stayed at a place that small. We only had two medium size suitcases and, believe or not, we did not have space to put them on the floor so that we could open them. The bathroom was very small too. Not too clean. You could find all kinds of hair on the floor and sometimes towels. After taking a shower the water was all over the floor. I am pregnant and to take a shower in that bathroom was a real challenge. I was always afraid that I would slip and fall. The staff was very nice though and location is perfect, which is why we chose this hotel. But it is not worth the money they charge.

Guest name: NG, USA

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Group

stayed in Oct 2007

It's very noicy at night when our next door checked in a couple with 2 kids. Kids made lots of noises at night and we couldn't sleep well because the wall was thin.

Guest name: Vickie Chu, Taiwan

Average rating:  5.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Oct 2007

It is ideally located. The room should be more spacious for two persons. Tv: only spanish and german. At night, we saw the light around the door: could it be possible to put something around it to avoid this problem (You can get asleep)?

Guest name: EP, France

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Perfetto al centro di Madrid a due passi da tutto. Si era in un'ala totalmente rinnovata con internet gratuito.

Guest name: Federico Minciarelli, Italy

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Nov 2007

The hotel is idealy situated, close to PRADO museum and other places of interest. Hundreds of bars and restaurants in the surroundings. Rooms have been newly refurbished, ours was very quiet though rather small. I would certainly return to this hotel. However, we asked for a large bed and got twins.

Guest name: Gerald DAURAT, France

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Nov 2007

This is in Spanish "hostal" not "hotel," but all that seems to me is that it is on the upper floor of a building rather than having its own location. There is an elevator. There are two floors, 5th and 4th. The 4th is newer and more desirable. Cons: walls are paper thin. Beds are very hard, although 4th floor was much better than 5th. They do not offer breakfast, but just go downstairs---there are places every 10 feet. Pros: It has rather modern conveniences for such a modest, tourist class hotel. Flat screen tv, phone, etc. Best of all... FREE wi-fi internet access (computers also available) if you don't have your own is a HUGE advantage for me. Most importantly: Location, location, location. You are in the very heart of Madrid, a block from Puerta do Sol, 2 blocks to Gran Via, an easy walk to the Prado, a little longer but still walkable to Palacio Real. Everything is at your fingertips--it is worth putting up with a little "no frills." Factor in the price with the location and free wi-fi, and it is worth putting up with a "no frills" and some minor inconveniences. The double rooms on the 4th floor are nicer, can even have a terrace, and the price escalates only to 75 euros.

Guest name: MS, USA

Average rating:  8.3

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Hostal Astoria is a nice place in the very heart of Madrid - and a bargain for the price. The web-pages did not indicate that the hostal has no facilities for breakfast - but many cafés nearby can be used. Rooms are small but nice and clean.

Guest name: KJ, Denmark

Average rating:  5.6

Guest type: Group

stayed in Oct 2007

This hotel is just OK, the rooms are VERY small as is the bathroom. The hotel is central and close to the Metro. We got back to the hotel after a thunderstorm to find 2cm of water in the room (tiled floor), the night guy was very unhelpful, gave me a mop and a bucket and left me to it .. CRAP ! no help no other room , nothing .. wouldn't stay here again.

Guest name: MR, New Zealand

Average rating:  7.2

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

first time to Madrid. The hotel was easy to find and everything was great till night time. It was very noisy as we were above the main street and if it wasn't people going home it was trucks then workers going to work. Unless you sleep heavily or request a room away from the main street wouldn't stay there again

Guest name: PJ, New Zealand

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Oct 2007

Very nice place

Guest name: TY, Canada

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

The room that I stayed is very clean. Very convenient location. The price/value is excellent. I recommend this hotel to anyone.

Guest name: TO, Japan

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

Great hotel. Quiet rooms.

Guest name: RS, USA

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Una struttura che consiglio a chiunque vuole andare a passare qualche giorno a madrid.la struttura è centralissima.

Guest name: Monica Barilaro, Italy

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Sep 2007

We would recommend the Astoria, it's in a good central (though touristy) location, and easy to walk around. We were in the refurbished section and the room was small, but clean. The shower and air conditioning worked well and having free internet is good. It's quite basic, would be happy to stay there again.

Guest name: LG, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Group

stayed in Sep 2007

Sono veramente soddisfatto. Sono partito con mia moglie e tre amici (tutti intorno ai 45 anni) e volevo solamente un posto dove andare a dormire visto che avremmo "girato" tutto il giorno. Invece ho trovato un "hostel" completamente ristrutturato, addirittura con televisore lcd e doccia attrezzata con idromassaggio! Rapporto qualità prezzo assolutamente ottimo. Se a questo si aggiunge il fatto che, sebbene abbiamo fatto l'abbonamento alla metro, in effetti è servito poco, visto che eravamo a cinque minuti da tutto! Non offre particolari servizi e quindi per me è indicato soprattutto a coloro che siano intenzionati a visitare comodamente la città.

Guest name: SG, Italy

Average rating:  5.1

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

The room was much much spaller than expected. Also, the room was very stuffy and it was hard to get any air circulation in the room. The AC wasn't strong enough or wasn't working properly. The hallway smelled like smoke even though there are signs saying that no smoking is allowed. Plus side is that they have free internet if you are lucky to be able to use it when it is available. First come first serve for internet. The staff was friendly but not as knowledgeable as I would have liked.

Guest name: AC, USA

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

Please supply one bottle of water for each night. And Please share an internet PC for each person. Thanks!

Guest name: WJ, South Korea

Average rating:  7.6

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Sep 2007

Excellent value. Great location. Easy walk to the Prado in one direction and 15-20 minute walk to Plaza Mayor in the other direction. Our room was an odd shape and badly needed painting but was clean with good beds.

Guest name: JW, USA

Average rating:  7.5

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Sep 2007

We stayed in Madrid for 3 days. Everything was great (excelent hotel location, good bathroom condition, 24/7 Internet access), but the room was pretty noisy, during the day and at night.

Guest name: VD, USA

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: 

stayed in Aug 2007

No frills, but it was a great place to stay. It is, however, technically a hostel. This was a bit confusing at first, but it worked out fine.

Guest name: LL, USA

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: Group

stayed in Sep 2007

I satyed at the Astoria on 3 seperate nights, I found the rooms to be very clean and the location close to Sol Metro station which makes easy access to the airport and other major train stations. Internet access is available and free to use which is a great bonus. Staff are friendly and do their best to speak english and help when required. Just watch out for some of the restaurants in the area they can be a big rip off. If you want a quick and quality snack try the museo de jamone, very cheap. For the money I paid I would highly recommend this property.

Guest name: Renato Mammone, United Kingdom

Average rating:  8.4

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Sep 2007

The only thing for me was that I would prefer a picture from Madrid or Spain in my room instead of a picture related to China. I will also rate my stay at the hotel as excellent because of the hospitality of the staff, location in the heart of Madrid and price/quality relationship.

Guest name: M, Turkey

Average rating:  7.4

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2007

Nettes Hotel in Zentraler Lage . Sehr ruhige, moderne, gut ausgestattete aber kleine Zimmer. Insgesamt ist das Hotel aber absolut empfehlenswert, insbesondere im Hinblick auf das Preis-/Leistungsverhältnis.

Guest name: OO, Germany

Average rating:  7.8

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Aug 2007

Very good, the room was small but very clean and modern. The hotel location is central, with almost every place in central Madrid reachable on foot. The metro station is only a few minutes' walk from the hotel. I recommend this hotel for a stay.

Guest name: Giulio Veneziani, Italy

Average rating:  8.8

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Aug 2007

Excellent location-2-3min. to Puerta del Sol and subway (metro) station,5-7 min. to Prado Museum, 1min.-to Museo del Jamon store where you can have nice,inexpensive breakfast.Staff-competent and helpful,room nice and well-set-up with little balcony into courtyard (I had it closed),bathroom was nice with bathtub-all nice & clean & had air-conditioning. The one concern I had after the first day- bugs (cockroaches) coming through the small bathroom window, it would be good to have a net there.Fortunately I caught them in the bathroom (on my 2nd day and on two days after that at different times)and not in the room.I believe they were coming from another floor-below maybe (there is no breakfast here).The building has a hotel on every floor, this one was on the last floor-there is an elevator though. I reported it and they told the maid, but what they have done, don't know. I was pleased with everything else and chose this hotel based on previous reviews. Also, there a theatre about one block away with an excellent dance performance of Bizet's Carmen (I only got the ticket the night before)- Wednesdays and Sundays are half price (15 euros). There is another theatre on the other side of Puerta del Sol on Calle Mayor with a flamenco show -the same discount there - flyers are at the hotel, I think.

Guest name: LU, Canada

Average rating:  8.1

Guest type: 

stayed in Aug 2007

Quando siamo arrivate di fronte all'hotel volevo svenire, mi sono chiesta dove ero capitata...entrata piuttosto squallida e poco visibile.Poi l'albergo è stato una scoperta...al 5° piano e a piani diversi e non collegati e la stanza decisamente migliore delle aspettative.Pulita, abbastanza grande, ben arredata ed un bagno molto bello. E poi l'albergo si trova esattamente a metà fra il Palazzo reale ed il Museo del prado...splendida posizione per non parlare delle metro...5 minuti a piedi da sol e altrettanti da sevilla. Io e mia sorella siamo state molto soddisfatte. Lo consigliamo vivamente. Ciao

Guest name: Francesca Casagrande, Italy

Average rating:  6.6

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Aug 2007

L'albergo è al 5° piano di un palazzo che in reltà all'ingresso non dà una buona impressione. Più che un hotel è quasi una pensioncina a carattere familiare senza troppe pretese ma perfetto per chi lo utilizza solo per dormire. La posizione vale da sola la scelta: tre minuti a piedi (forse due) e ti trovi a Puerta del Sol in una direzione, e al Prado nell'altra; praticamente la metro non l'ho mai presa se non per andare all'aeroporto e alla corrida; sei a due passi dal centro e dalla movida. L'albergo non offre molto (ma già lo sapevo) anche se ha una postazione internet gratis. Forse siamo stati sfortunati con la camera perchè praticamente il letto matrimoniale (da una piazza e mezzo!!) ci stava appena; in accoglienza ci hanno detto che le matrimoniali sono tutte piccolissime, in alternativa le doppie con letti separati offrono maggiore spazio. Per mangiare Madrid offre innumerevoli possibilità a buon prezzo ma mi sento di consigliare il "museo del jabon" a Calle de Postas (andando verso Plaza Major te lo trovi sulla destra): al piano stradale sembra la solita salumeria da tapas e bocadillos, ma al piano superiore offre una grande sala accogliente e oserei dire chic, con specchi e boiserie di legno alle pareti e aria condizionata, dove con 6/7 euro per platos combinatos si mangia in due, e la pajella per due persone è invece sufficiente per quattro; verso le 21.00 inizia un po' di fila ma è scorrevole: se vuoi un po' di comodità vale la pena aspettare cinque/dieci minuti al massimo. Di questi "musei del jabon" ce ne sono tanti a Madrid ed uno si trova praticamente sotto l'albergo, ma non so' se ha una sala bella come quello di prima. Sconsiglio invece i ristoranti a Plaza Major: ti fanno il culo ed il servizio non è neanche un granchè (p.e. un calice di sangria 6 euro). Visti i prezzi a Madrid questa pensione può andar bene per brevi periodi di soggiorno. Ci ritornerei.

Guest name: SG, Italy

Average rating:  7.3

Guest type: Group

stayed in Aug 2007

Centralissimo, nelle vicinanze parcheggio sotterraneo a pagamento e locali notturni. Si raggiungono a piedi tutte le piazze e i musei più belli.

Guest name: Matteo Nobili, Italy

Average rating:  9.2

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Aug 2007

Buen hotel, muy buena ubicacion.

Guest name: NB, Italy

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: friend

stayed in Aug 2007

i have had a king size bedroom with bathroom and a third bed in the anti camera. with nice design fornitures and well renovated. I was there for summer holidays visiting Madrid and Andalucia. very well located. the only pity is that they say that they accept American Express but they don't.

Guest name: Susanna Campion, Italy

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Aug 2007

We staid four days in Madrid. The hotel was very well located (near subway station, downtown and museum) and the room was air-conditionned and comfortable. The only drawback was the noise in the hotel during the night: we heard people taing and doors slamming

Guest name: Vincent SOREL, France

Average rating:  6.9

Guest type: Family with older children

stayed in Jul 2007

This was our first time in Madrid and we enjoyed it. We had a triple room and it was a little cramped but very clean. We didn't realise there was no breakfast included in the price. The Hotel is a little odd as it's on several floors and you have to climb up and down. There was some noise from the room next door and our window opened onto a busy street. However it is an excellent, central location!

Guest name: Jeannie Alderdice, United Kingdom

Average rating:  7.3

Guest type: with my sister

stayed in Jul 2007

i was very satisfed with this hotel.

Guest name: HS, South Korea

Average rating:  9.1

Guest type: Family with young children

stayed in Jul 2007

Excelente ubicacion. Muy cerca del Museo del jamón, para desayunar. Tranquilidad. Lo recomiendo. Ubicacion perfecta para todas la visitas requeridas en Madrid.

Guest name: Juan Rodrigues, Venezuela

Average rating:  8.0

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

hotel situato nel pieno centro di madrid, collegato benissimo all'aeroporto,e alla metro sol. Ottimo rapporto qualità prezzo.

Guest name: AL, Italy

Average rating:  7.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

the hotel's location is very good because it is situated in the centre of Madrid (beautiful city!),close to Sol.The room is a little too small but rather clean. Only an observation:on the second day the service staff didn't change towels!Hotel Astoria is anyway ideal for a short stay in Madrid.

Guest name: Fabio D'Angelo, Italy

Average rating:  8.9

Guest type: Mature couple

stayed in Jun 2007

We spent 3 nights in Madrid at the Hotel Astoria. The room were very clean and comfortable.

Guest name: RO, USA

Average rating:  9.0

Guest type: Group

stayed in Jul 2007

Very nice and modern rooms; all renovated in a charming old building. The exterior can put you off, but for the price we paid and the rooms we got in a most central location, this was an amazing deal. We came back to Madrid for another 2-night stay at the end of our 3 week trip with our pockets almost empty and our bodies aching for some comfort and relaxation and this was definitely what we needed. For a 2-star hotel, this made me consider looking for other 2-star hotels for budget travelling, without feeling inferior or cheap! Rooms and halls are noisy in the morning, but not too bad.

Guest name: Manoosh Valipour, Canada

Average rating:  9.8

Guest type: Single traveller

stayed in Jul 2007

I was very satisfied, the relationship between price and quality is excellent, the place is clean, in a good location and the staff is hepful. It would be nice if there were a fridge in the room.

Guest name: Ana Maria Olivera Yamin, Brazil

Average rating:  9.7

Guest type: Young couple

stayed in Jul 2007

We absolutely loved the Astoria. We had a really nice little room and it's in a lovely old building in a great location. There are great bars, restaurants and shops within very close reach and we had fun exploring the small streets nearby. This was our favourite hotel from a four week trip. We would recommend the Astoria to anyone, great value stay.

Guest name: Jake Harvey, New Zealand