Madrid Districts, Hotels, Restaurants and Nightlife
There are over 600 hotels, Hostels and special lodging accommodations in Madrid. The four star Carlton Hotel is a short walk from the main Atocha station and is in a safe area of the city. The Ayre Gran Hotel Colon is also a four star hotel. It has internet connections in the rooms and is walking distance from Retiro Park. The Hostal Mirentxu is a colorful and clean three star hostel that offers reasonable rates for clean rooms and it’s in walking distance from the Hipster-y district, which is north of Gran Via. The five star Hotel Relais & Chateaux Orfila is a 19th century mansion located the Alonso Martinez District in Orfila street which is in the center of Madrid. There are only 32 rooms and each one is tastefully decorated with elegant époque furniture, bronze banisters and marble floors. It’s certainly worth the stay if luxury is a priority.
Corral de la Moreria, located at Calle Moreria 17, is the best known flamenco restaurant in Madrid. Opened in 1957 it has delighted guests with it décor as well as for its fine cuisine. The people of Madrid get a late start. Lunch is usually late in the afternoon, so dinner may not even start until 9 pm. A dinner in Madrid can easily last until midnight. During the summer people stay up and drink in terrazas until 2 in the morning. After 2 the clubs and discos take over and people of all ages party until 6 in the morning and then may go straight to work without sleep.
The hottest area of Madrid for night life is in Huertas where there is a large group of pubs, bars and restaurants. The Plaza de Santa Ana is the main area to party. Sol-La Latina extends around Puerta del Sol and it’s a great place to have dinner. There is an assortment of great restaurants that offer Spanish as well as international cusine. The Calle Arenal is not far from Puerta del Sol. It’s the home of Joy Slava, which is one of the most famous clubs in Madrid. It’s a former 19th century theater which was converted in 1981. Joy Slava attracts people of all ages with its unique atmosphere and ambiance. Another old palace that has been converted to a club is Palacio de Gaviria. This hot spot is always open from 11 pm to 6 am and is perfect if you’re in the mood for socializing and getting the full flavor of the city’s pulse. The Chueca is the gay district and there are plenty of bars, pubs and clubs to experience. The area has several gay restaurants and clubs that attract partiers from all walks of life. Students usually hang-out in the Moncioa Arguelles district where the lively discos and the bars never stop. The Azca- Castellana- Bernabeu Stadium district has great bars and terraces where the people from all over come to see and be seen.
