Madrid

Spence · #1 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 07:07 AM

Quite a nice location, not center city but 3-4 blocks from a subway stop. Very similar to Mayfair in Rome but no breakfast included. When I arrived WiFi was free, it kicked me off after about 15 minutes, went down to the front desk and saw a technician installing new equipment with a charge of 6E/hr or 12E/day; they didn't understand the concept of grandfathering and they didn't get it back up and running for almost two days. Front desk said that RHC had 10% of the rooms meaning 8 rooms. The rate for a 2BR when there were no special events would have been about 145E/night so the RHC MF paid off well for this location.

Jya-Ning · #2 (**permalink**) 06-28-2009, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spence

they didn't understand the concept of grandfathering

Enjoy the trip. How is the room and weather there? I hear they usually enjoy a long afternoon break, and celebrate the evening.

Jya-Ning

PeelBoy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:06 PM

Spence, I have a studio booked for two weeks. How much do they charge a studio per day? The instructions say a studio comes with a kitchen, which I assume is a cooktop with two burners and is fine with me. How is the check in? Any problem? Anything I have to pay attention to prepare for this trip? Thanks alot.

Hoc · #4 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:20 PM

I've stayed here twice, and it was back when there was no internet access at all in the rooms, so I had to go to a nearby internet access center to send and receive emails and work. I think 12 euros a day is fine -- I would probably get access on alternate days to be safe.

From what I remember, the Madrid metro shuts down around 2 am, and you do need the metro to get to and from the majority of places from the resort. But I never found that I was rushing to catch the last train back, even though Madrid tends to be a late town. Guess I abandoned the concept of going to discos about 25 years ago.

I do feel that this resort alone makes my RHC membership pay for itself. I love Madrid. Did you get out to see Toledo this trip? Definitely worth the day trip by train while you're there.

Hoc · #5 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeelBoy

Anything I have to pay attention to prepare for this trip?

Study up on your Spanish. About 50 percent or more of the people in Madrid speak no english at all, so you will need to be able to communicate in Spanish occasionally.

I don't remember if there is a cooktop in the rooms. I think there was a mini-fridge, a sink and a microwave, but I don't remember anything else.

In any event, tapas are cheap, and you won't be able to get enough of the Spanish food while you're there. It's inexpensive, and amazingly good.

Spence · #6 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 06:56 AM

We were in Madrid for only three days, now on Costa del Sol. Didn,t go to Toledo but doing several day trips in Andalucia.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jya-Ning

How is the room and weather there? Jya-Ning

quite warm but drier than where you live.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeelBoy

Spence, I have a studio booked for two weeks. How much do they charge a studio per day? The instructions say a studio comes with a kitchen, which I assume is a cooktop with two burners and is fine with me. How is the check in? Any problem? Anything I have to pay attention to prepare for this trip? Thanks alot.

"Closet" kitchen, 2 burners, microwave, mini fridge. No special things to watch out for in my opinion.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoc

In any event, tapas are cheap, and you won't be able to get enough of the Spanish food while you're there. It's inexpensive, and amazingly good.

There's nothing cheap in Europe anymore in my opinion, but Spain is still on the lower end even after EU inflation.

ArtsieAng · #7 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:19 AM

Enjoy the Costa del Sol!

We really enjoyed visiting the various towns, and meeting the people.

Spence · #8 (**permalink**) 07-02-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtsieAng

Enjoy the Costa del Sol!

We really enjoyed visiting the various towns, and meeting the people.

Great Sightings, too bad I'm stuck here.

I'm keeping track of how many times you annoy me. Angela

Hoc · #9 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 07:57 PM

Well, I decided to forego staying at RHC while at the Costa Del Sol in summer 2010. Instead, I'll book Paradors and hope for a trade into Marriott Marbella. Then I booked 4 days instead of a week at RHC in Madrid, so that I can go to San Sebastian for a couple of days instead, and that left me enough points to book RHC times Square over spring break of 2010.

Two great trips, subsidized by my RHC timeshares.

PeelBoy · #10 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 03:58 PM

My sister was robbed in the evening not far away from this RHC property. She lost two hundred euros and a credit card. This apartment hotel is in a quiet residential neighbor. The staff was quite helpful connecting her with the police and calling the credit card company.

Other than this unhappy experience, Madrid is a wonderful city to visit.