Looking for tapas and other budget deals in Madrid

In April, the NY Times published a piece on Affordable Europe: Madrid. While not going to the length and depth of a regular Travel Guide, this article provides the reader (i.e., you) with some good tips on where to go, where to stay, etc. in the beautiful Spanish capital.

The author goes over two basic ways of dining in Madrid (or Spain, as a matter of fact) - one is eating tapas in a tapas bar, usually crowded and maybe full of smoke, and the other one is eating a nice meal in a restaurant. Words of advice when it comes to dining in a busy restaurant though: if the location is rather central and touristy, the food might be slightly undercooked, as the restaurant is trying to cycle as many people as they can.

As far as hotels are concerned, I must stress again the importance of booking an air+hotel package instead of booking hotels individually. Typically, you will save more than what you can do with typical air or hotel deals.

Here's a list of hotels of all categories that have proved serious best-sellers in the past:

- Asturias
- Carlton (very good value)
- Florida Norte
- Francisco I
- Gran Atlanta
- Gran Versalles
- Gran Via 65 Aparthotel
- Il Castillas
- Mirasierra Suites

The word is: budget, safe, and acceptable. Do not expect luxury and of course read prior reviews on Tripadvisor.