Living Madrid: Renting your apartment in Gran Via

When you, our customer , you ask us about the area of Madrid where the apartments are located , we try to explain you what you are going to find it there. We do it briefly because it is difficult to summarize in a few words , by email or phone , all the nuances of the area. You have to live it ... and feel it.

We understand that it is essential to know what 's around the apartment you have chosen for your stay in Madrid. In fact, many of you have firstly decided the area, and  you choose the apartment where you will stay later .

Well, surfing through the Internet , I found an interesting article about Barco Street , a central street where are located a number of our serviced apartments which are one of the most requested by you.

The article, written in Spanish , details everything which is in this centrical street . Although I would have tried to write it , I could not have written it so well .
So you have here the interesting link for all those of you who are interested in booking the following apartments :

- Apartment Gran Via 1
- Apartment Gran Via 2
- Apartment Gran Via 3
- Apartment Gran Via 4
- Gran Via- Chueca 1
- Gran Via- Chueca 2

so you will may know exactly everything that you will find when you leave home.

Of course it is not only this. It is much more , because nearby is the famous Gran Via , and a few minutes and also is the Puerta del Sol, Chueca and Malasaña ... and the entire center of Madrid that you can visit on foot.

And besides, the apartments on this very special area in Madrid, are among those with a more competitive price for both short term as for long term rental periods. And those apartments are fully equipped with everything you need to live comfortably : Internet access, microwave, air conditioning, stereo, DVD player , individual heating for you adapt to your liking!

In short, it's easy to understand why those apartments are those which has been hightly required and reserved by our customers!

So if you are planning to come to Madrid and you like this area ... and the prices of these apartments , do not expect to last. Book now your apartment in Madrid and you will enjoy the advantages of living in one of the most charming areas of the Madrid city center !

Tips to find the perfect apartment in Madrid (4)

We keep talking about the tricks to find the perfect apartment in Madrid, making it clear that the perfect is the one that fits our needs and requirements ... and our pocket!

In our previous articles we explained how it was necessary to have clear criteria for location, price and type of apartment and how the choice of a website based in Madrid we would ensure that they advertised apartments which comply with quality criteria and that we ensured that the customer know the apartments and the area where they are. Only then they will be able to help us in our choice.

Today we'll talk about the differences between websites professionally managed and those that only offer a list of apartments, where anyone can advertise your property.

As mentioned, a local website that professionally manages apartments, offers added value in terms of personal attention and can help us find the apartment that suits fully to our needs and requirements.

 

We thus we can, and must, request more information about the apartments and solve our doubts before booking our apartment in Madrid.

So we must avoid pages that offer only a list of apartments in which each owner state his own rules. Because in that case we can never be clear what our guarantees or what are the obligations of the owners, as each works freely, setting their own rules or, simply, without any rules.

Once selected the websites that meet our criteria, we only have to clearly state our needs. We may contact with Customer Service by email or by phone. We should not be afraid to ask any questions: they will be happy to help.

 

As they are websites devoted to advertise apartments professionally, they know the apartments they advertise  and areas where they are located, and so, the Customer Service staff can advise us about the apartment that best suits our needs, taking into account our budget and preferences regarding the type of apartment and area where they are located.

We at HomesForTravellers, we deal personally to resolve the doubts of our clients before they book the apartment online.

We are a small team, with extensive experience and knowledge of Madrid, whose main objective is to help each customer get what they really are looking for. The personal attention and direct contact with our customers, without intermediaries, is what makes us different. We reach our satisfaction only when we get happy customers.

 

Maybe you still have doubts about the type of apartment, its equipment or its characteristics. Sometimes surprise us price differences between apartments with similar characteristics ... All these issues will be addressed in our next article. Do not miss it. Only then you will ensure that your stay in Madrid unforgettable.

And if you can not wait, contact us by email or visit our website to access the live chat!

Tips to find the perfect apartment in Madrid (3)

In the previous article we discussed what are the criteria that we must consider to find the perfect apartment in Madrid, which is the that fits our needs in terms of budget, area and type of apartment.

The correct choice of these variables will ensure us our positive experience of Madrid, because if we are wrong, for example, in the area where the apartment is located, we will have to waste our time on unnecessary trips. Whereas if we choose a suitable apartment in the correct area, we have everything at hand, and we can enjoy more of what we really want.

  

Now: How to Succeed in our choice? Where do we start looking?

The first is to choose the right website.

Currently, Internet is the best way to find what we seek, because offers endless possibilities.

But this wealth of information and resources, often makes our search difficult. How to distinguish between the many existing websites?

We offer here some simple guidelines to succeed in our choice:

1. - Local Website: We must choose a website that is based in Madrid.

Why this fact is so important? Because only in this way we ensure that those responsible for such website are announcing apartments that they known and have been previously selected. And not only know the apartments and have been previously selected by them, but they also know the areas where the apartments are located. It is therefore vital that we choose the website which offers personalized attention and which is based in Madrid locally.

They are websites which care about us, which can give us the support that only can give the one who knows the city in depth and the accommodations provided.

The websites that advertise apartments from many sites and several countries may not help us, as they offer a mere list of apartments, making it impossible for those responsible, or for the customer service, know the characteristics of the apartments or the areas where they are.

2. - Websites that manage the apartments in a professional way.

A website that advertises apartments that have been previously selected guarantees that they meet quality criteria, and that the owners or managers of the apartments meet these criteria and clear rules regarding customer service, problem solving and resolving doubts.

In our next article we will explain in detail what are the differences between websites professionally managed apartments and those that only offer a list of apartments, where anyone can advertise your property.

Stay tuned, because you will have all the keys to make your stay in Madrid is perfect as you come for business or vacation. 

And if you can not wait, contact us by email or visit our website to access the live chat!

Tips to find the perfect apartment in Madrid (2)

Hotel or Apartment? When appropriate to stay in an apartment in Madrid

In our previous article we explain the advantages of staying in a hotel in Madrid taking into account, particularly the length of our stay. We talked about that when our stay is less than three days, often not worth seeking an apartment, but it is more practical staying in a hotel where we can rest from the few hours we are free after a long day of work or sightseeing.

But if our stay is going to be longer than 3 nights and we prefer to have more space, privacy and amenities, and we chose staying at a vacation rental apartment the matter is sometimes more complicated : Where to look for temporary rental apartments? What kind of apartment I need? Which area of ​​Madrid?

This may seem easy if we know the city we visit, but it is not so in the event that it is the first time we are going to visit the place. We do not know nothing about the area, nor neither we know anything about how to move around, how long it takes or on the go, or how are the apartments that rent for days, weeks or months.

It is therefore essential that we have clear some aspects:

1. - The area where we want to position ourselves.

This is basic, because it will condition our perception of the city. In our guide of Madrid will find extensive information on the different areas of central Madrid.

2. - The type of apartment we need.

Depending on whether we anticipate that we will stay much time at home or not, or whether we will only use the apartment to sleep, we can choose a type of apartment or another. Of course the type of apartment depends on the number of people who will stay. If we are a group of friends, or a family who want to be together we can choose a large apartment building, or several apartments in the same building or area.

3. - Our budget. 

In general, smaller apartments are cheaper. If we are only one person or a couple can be very comfortable to stay in a studio apartment that usually has the same amenities as the one-bedroom apartments, with the only difference that the bedroom is not independent.

Now: How to Succeed in our choice?. All keys in our next article. Do not miss it!

Live Holy Week in Spain

The Holy Week or Easter in Spain is perhaps more rooted tradition and which may surprise those who have the opportunity to enjoy it.

Many are surprised at the different Holy Week which can be found depending on the area or region where it is celebrated in Spain. For though in all Spanish regions, the Holy Week is a religious event, the way how are "lived" and "sense" change enormously from one region to another.

So, in central and northern Spain, we find a sober Holy Week, it seems like people are  seeking penance and repentance. The processions are quieter, the music is more solemn, and feelings are more hidden.

By contrast, in southern Spain, in Andalusia, Holy Week is characterized by an explosion of feelings, much more spontaneous, which people often end up singing "saetas" ... and others in tears.

To the uninitiated, and for many of us, just see how the people feel, or suffer is at least surprising. It has not only to do with religion, but much more with a old tradition that is still alive, and worth seeing and enjoying.

And it is also curious that in major cities such as Madrid continue to maintain this tradition as old.

Yes, in Madrid are still celebrating the traditional processions in downtown churches. In Madrid this tradition as old lives with all kinds of cultural events and exhibitions. 

And if you are really interested in knowing in depth the Holy Week in other places of Spain we recommend you visit the Easter of Salamanca, where you will appreciate the solemnity of the steps nestled in a beautiful historic city, UNESCO heritage. Zamora and Valladolid are also highly recommended.

For those who have more time, I suggest visiting the Holy Week in Seville or Malaga, both also very popular and interesting.

And of course, for those who want to know the Spanish culture, or feel how live the locals live, we recommend, as always, stay in our short term apartments in Madrid, which are situated just meters from where the main religious and cultural activities are held.

What´s on in Madrid- Exhibitions December 2012

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December is a good month to visit exhibitions in Madrid, so we safeguard us from the cold.

Here's a list of the most important exhibitions still time to visit. Follow the links to find all the details of each exhibition:

 

 

• Artaud's Spectrums: Language and Art in the 1950s (18 September to 17 December @ the Reina Sofía Museum): French artist and theorist of the Theatre of Cruelty, Antonin Artaud, is the star of this exhibition which revolves around his influence on poetry and performing arts in the years following his death.
• Imogen Cunningham (18 September to 20 January 2013 @ Mapfre Foundation, Azca exhibition hall): a show displaying 70 years of modernist photography.
• Portraits. Masterpieces. (25 September to 6 January 2013 @ Mapfre Foundation, Recoletos exhibition hall): 80 portraits by leading artists from the collection at Centre Pompidou / Musée National D'Art Moderne.
• The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk (6 October to 6 January @ the Mapfre Foundation): a retrospective show of the French fashion designer's work, featuring 140 haute couture dresses along with ready-to-wear items from the 1970s onwards.
• Gauguin and the Voyage to the Exotic (9 October to 13 January, 2013 @ the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum): works by Gauguin, Kandinsky, Matisse, Klee and Macke narrate the reconquest of Primitivism through Exoticism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Maria Blanchard (from 16 October to 25 February 2013 @ the Reina Sofía Museum): an exhibition devoted to the avant-garde and Cubist painter from Spain who rose to fame in 1920s Paris.
• The Art of Cartier (23 October to 15 February 2013 @ the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum): over 300 pieces of jewellery from the luxury jeweller's historical collection, including some belonging to Grace Kelly, Elisabeth Taylor and Coco Chanel, will be displayed in the Madrid museum.
• The Young Van Dyck (20 November to 3 March 2013 @ the Prado Museum): exhibition focusing on works painted by Van Dyck before he left for London in 1620, a period when the young Flemish artist worked under Rubens.
• The House of Alba Legacy. Patronage at the Service of Art (30 November to 31 March, 2013 @ CentroCentro): The largest exhibition of works from the private collection of the House of Alba Foundation will comprise over 150 items, including paintings by Goya, Titian and Rubens, and a first edition of Don Quijote.

In addition, we remind you that in December you can enjoy discounts of up to 30% in many of our apartments in Madrid. Do not hesitate to contact us for information

Christmas in Madrid

If throughout the year Madrid is well known by its fiestas that liven up its streets and welcome visitors to the city, in Christmas time you will find even more life in Madrid´s streets and much more cultural activities than in other times of the year.

When the Christmas lights are turned on, Madrid is filled with a magical air. The streets are dressed in all their finery, the trees take on a Christmassy look, and shops and markets are stocked up with all kinds of gifts.

If you start at Plaza Mayor you will see one of the best Christmas markets in Madrid, selling figures for Nativity scenes, decorations and even Christmas trees with all the accessories you could possibly want.

The Plaza Mayor is also a perfect departure point for the discover Madrid, which invite everyone, including children, to learn more about the history of Nativity scenes, seasonal traditions and sweets. Starting on Plaza Mayor is a wonderful way to discover some of Madrid's special spots.

You can enjoy easily all those Chistmas activities if you stay in our apartments which are located in the heart of Madrid and you will be able to walk through all the interesting  Christmas venues in Madrid.
Some apartments close to Plaza Mayor in Madrid:
     

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Get a free stay at Madrid

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The 2012 is still a difficult year for many of us.

The "bloody crisis" which we have not sought, much less caused, is causing us to have to tighten our belts. And of course, travel and trips we used to do are becoming less frequent, because we need the money for basic necessities and basic.

So, to end the year with good taste, we offer a 3 day stay in Madrid for 4 people in apartments located in the heart that have all the amenities.

You can choose between these apartments (* subject to availability) during the months of January and February 2013:

 

  

    

        

 

 

To get it, you just have to enter the competition on our Facebook page and invite your friends to know us.

The more friends you will have more chances you will have.

Also, if you are fans of our Facebook page you will receive special offers and discounts. And you will be the first to hear everything that happens in Madrid.

Madrid Secrets: Tradition and Modernity

It's no secret that Madrid is a city that has the appeal of the big cities along with the charm of the towns.

So for those who want to know the Spanish culture and traditions and want to have also everything you get in a big city, Madrid is the ideal city, as the two aspects coexist.

For example, in summer, in the first weekend of July in Madrid is celebrated the Gay Pride in areas of Chueca and Gran Via and in August are celebrated the popular street festivals of La Paloma and San Cayetano.

Furthermore, the great advantage of Madrid is that you can explore on foot. Public transport in Madrid is excellent and cheap, but probably will not need it if you stay at one of our apartments, as most are located in the heart of Madrid and Madrid you can visit everything on foot. (Read the testimony of one of our clients regarding the location of the Gran Via Sol Apartment)

For more information about the different neighborhoods of central Madrid recommend you read our Guide to Madrid

Apartments versus Hotels in Madrid

 

Whatever is the reason, you have decided to go to Madrid. You’ve booked your vacation time and chosen Madrid, or just came to Madrid for work,  and now the only thing left to do is to find somewhere to stay. Maybe a hotel or guesthouse may be the obvious choice, but it may be not the most smart, nor the most cost-effective.

HomesForTravellers have a great selection of short term rental apartments, aimed at people wanting to stay from a few days to a few weeks in Madrid.

So, just what are the advantages of choosing an apartment instead of a hotel?

Well, the cost is the obvious one (and let’s face it, everyone loves a good price!) For example, one of our apartments in the heart of the city, (like the Molino apartment) rents for as little as €165 a night for 4 people, and can accommodate up to 11 people for just 222€ (now in January and February 2012 with a 20% discount). Just try to find four bedrooms in a luxury hotel in the city centre for the same price! Usually this is the rental price of just one bedroom in a luxury hotel in Madrid. With a group like that, you would have needed 4 hotel rooms. So the good price and the ability to cook at home, you will save a bunch in a week.

Only think in that: If your group is larger than 2 or 3 people, you can save big by renting an apartment and cooking some of your own meals. Even in Madrid, Spain, it's hard to find a restaurant meal for under 10 euros/US$15. So for 4 people you get close to $200/day in meals. The downsides are that by visiting fewer restaurants you miss out on some of the local food culture and the time required to cook and clean. But if you enjoy cooking you get to experiment with new ingredients, and you can check out the food markets. All of our short term rental apartments come with a modern and fully-equipped kitchen. You can enjoy the new experience of shopping and cooking in a foreign country – the Madrid  food markets are an adventure in themselves!

Some clients don't like the agencies that ask for cash only. They said that it's better to have the choice of either paying with cash or credit card and that it's much easier to get the deposit refunded as there'll be no cash to exchange. In homesfortravellers.com, most of our apartments accept full payment by credit card, so you have not to carry money with you.

Also, you will have more privacy and freedom  having your own apartment. No need to worry about coming and going, wake up calls – you can relax yourself, and enjoy your new home away from home for the duration of your stay.

What most of our clients love about our apartments is the freedom of having their 'own' space, knowing no-one will come in when they are out - this makes them feel secure about leaving their belongings in the apartment and neither feel the need to leave everything tidy or return it to its 'correct' place each day. They like to stay in or go out every time entirely by their own choosing.

They like having a washing machine so they can travel light. They like having a kitchen so they are not obliged to eat out in restaurants all the time. And they love the Internet Connection for Free, to connect with their friends and family!

Our apartments also offer more space and comfort than the average hotel room, where you are often confined to spending all your time in the bedroom. A stay in an apartment gives you space, privacy and freedom, at half cost of a hotel of a similar quality. And in case you need help, we also offer additional cleaning services, and our team is always on hand to help you with any queries or problems you may have.

Have we convinced you yet? No?! One final point then – we have a broad selection of apartments of every size, shape and style, in some of the best locations in the city. Whether you want to stay in the heart of old Madrid, or in the trendiest areas like Chueca or Malasaña, we can help find the perfect property for you.

So, if you have not done yet, in your next visit to Madrid stay in an apartment. If you try it, you will love it!

Madrid Secrets: How to find the perfect apartment and save!

These days, if you are going to journey to Madrid, Spain, it may make more sense to save your money for the important things and find an apartment for more comfortable or more moderately priced accommodation. 

The Short-Term Apartment Rentals in Madrid offer varied standards of accommodation depending on your budget. They can provide high standards of comfort at lower prices, along with the additional benefits of privacy, freedom and the ability to choose your own meal times and food.

Hotels can cost you a lot of money, whereas taking a look at the range of Madrid apartments available may allow you to find accommodation which is situated within reach of the busiest and most entertaining areas in the city!

Apartments are available in a wide selection, so if it's not - in fact, an economical option that you are looking for and you want to have the best in luxury for your family, you are sure to find a Madrid apartmentwhich suits your needs, all it takes is teensy bit of time to look through those available.

Do you know how easy is to find your perfect holiday apartment rental for you next vacation or short stay in Madrid? Well here are some steps to help you to find the right short term apartment rental in Madrid:

1. Decide where you want to stay in Madrid. The city is divided into sections, called Barrios, so you may want to look at a map when determining a central location from which you want to operate. Tip: Go ahead and rent near the Madrid sights you want to see. Rates do not drop that dramatically as you get away from the city center.

 2. Determine what kind of sleeping arrangements you will need. There are many studio apartments available in Madrid at reasonable prices, but if you want a bedroom separate from the rest of the apartment, you can expect to pay a higher rate.

3. Get on the Internet and look at some of the apartment locator services for Madrid. The internet is, of course, the most convenient way to discover the range of options which are available to them. Even if you don't book your accommodation online, the internet is still an excellent medium to see what kinds of apartments are available and their typical price ranges for these varying factors.

4. Pick out several apartments and find out what amenities and conveniences are included in the price of the rental. Most apartments have a fully equipped kitchen, microwave, TV and dishwasher, but some may also include internet connection, heating and air conditioning, cable, hair dryer and a courtyard or terrace.

5. If you are not sure about the apartment equipment or the location, talk with homesfortravellers.com team about your requirements about apartments in Madrid. This will help you to choose the right apartment or part of the city which suit your needs. 

6. When you are sure about the apartment and its location, Book it online. You will get a Booking Confirmation with all the instructions for the arrival.

 7. Double-check your reservation and all the arrangements at least a week in advance of your departure time. Do not forget to contact with the person in charge of the check in so he/her can organize his/her time to go to the apartment to welcome you.


You will find a wide range of apartments in Madrid  (more than 180 apartments in Madrid) at homesfortravellers.com. Remember that we are from Madrid and we know personally the apartments and areas where they are located.

New Year Eve in Madrid

Each year, the Puerta del Sol becomes the epicenter of New Year's Eve for all of Spain. Thousands of people from all over the globe crowd into the square on December 31st, ready to see in the New Year and eat their lucky grapes, as the clock on the Real Casa de Correos building strikes twelve.

The lucky grapes
It is not just in Spain where the old year gets sent off with a particular kind of food, but Spain is the only place with a tradition that involves eating grapes. There are various theories about the origin of this custom, but the one most favoured by Spaniards places the tradition's birth in 1909. Wine producers from the Levante had such an excess of grapes that they decided to share their fruit with everyone, suggesting that eating the grapes on New Year's Eve would bring good luck. A century later, the success of this unusual campaign is still evident, as people all over Spain eat twelve grapes while the Puerta del Sol clock is striking twelve, to symbolize good luck for each of the twelve months of the year.

The clock

The clock at the Real Casa de Correos was made and donated by José Rodríguez Losada, and was inaugurated by Queen Isabel II on November 19, 1866. For many years, this clock was used as the country's official time standard, so it is fitting that it should be the one to ring in the New Year. And there's nothing better than being there in person for the event!

The sounds and movements of the clock striking midnight on December 31 are a televised ritual. A few seconds before 12am, the ball on the top of the tower falls, accompanied by the sounds of the carillon. Then the four quarters ring, followed by the strokes of midnight, the separation between the twelve chimes being just long enough for the grapes to be swallowed.

But now the night is just beginning, and this is a night when few in Madrid will get much sleep. There are just too many parties to choose from, to welcome the New Year with happiness and good cheer.

New Year's Eve parties
The city's best clubs will be pulling out all the stops for the celebrations, with special New Year parties where all drinks are included. A friendly atmosphere, great music and the party spirit are the ingredients that make any December 31 spent in Madrid an unforgettable experience. The Círculo de Bellas Artes throws one of the city´s most famous New Year´s parties, in a superb building just a few meters from the Puerta del Sol. Also nearby is Joy Eslava.

New Year's Day
What better way to start the year than dancing? And you don't need to stay up all night after a big dinner. In recent years a new trend has been taking off: welcoming the New Year in daylight, with daytime parties that often run on into the night of the 1st.

There's still time to book your apartment in Madrid to learn all the traditions of Madrid and enjoy the holidays in Madrid