Accommodation options in Madrid
- Hotel. Room with bathroom, reception, daily housekeeping. Many hotels in the centre occupy old buildings, so rooms are often small.
- Hostal and pensión. Small establishments, often on the upper floors of a building, with a simple private room and sometimes a shared bathroom. The cheapest option after a hostel; check air conditioning and the lift.
- Apartahotel (aparthotel). Studio or flat with a kitchenette, run like a hotel: reception, cleaning, linen provided. They exist in the centre and around Gran Vía, Salamanca and Chamberí.
- Youth hostel. Dorm bed or private room, shared kitchen. For solo travellers or groups on a tight budget.
- Tourist flat. Home rented by an individual or an agency, often larger but without a front desk. It is subject to precise rules (see below).
Comparison table
| Hotel | Hostal | Aparthotel | Hostel | Tourist flat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Relative budget | €€ to €€€€ | € to €€ | €€ to €€€ | € | €€ to €€€ |
| Kitchen | No | No | Yes, equipped | Shared | Yes |
| Housekeeping | Daily | Often daily | Depends on the property | Shared rooms cleaned | On arrival or on request |
| Reception | 24 hours or long hours | Limited hours | Yes, hours vary | Yes | Rarely, key handover |
| Space | Small to medium | Small | Medium to large | Very limited | Medium to large |
| Best for | Short stays, couples | Tight budgets | Families, long stays | Solo travellers | Groups of friends, long stays |
Who suits what
- Couple, two to four nights. A hotel in the Barrio de las Letras, La Latina or around Sol: everything is within walking distance. See where to stay in Madrid for a first visit.
- Family. An aparthotel with two rooms or connecting rooms gives space, a kitchen for children's early meals and often a washing machine. See where to stay in Madrid with children and Madrid with children.
- Long stay or remote work. Beyond a week, an aparthotel's kitchen and washing machine quickly make a difference; check the wifi and ask whether there is a desk. See coworking and remote work in Madrid.
- Tight budget. A hostal or hostel, or an aparthotel shared between several people. See where to stay in Madrid on a budget.
- Group of friends. A large aparthotel or a registered flat lowers the cost per person, but beware of noise for the neighbours in a residential building.
To compare hotels by budget, see the best hotels in Madrid by budget.
Where to find an aparthotel in Madrid
The neighbourhoods are the same as for a hotel; the guide where to stay in Madrid details their pros and cons and metro stations.
- Centre, around Sol and Gran Vía: the most convenient for a short stay, but the noisiest in the evening. Search: aparthotel Sol, Madrid.
- Salamanca: a calm, elegant district, well connected to the centre by metro and suited to families. See the Salamanca district. Search: aparthotel Salamanca, Madrid.
- Chamberí: neighbourhood life, markets and terraces, ideal for a long stay. See Chamberí. Search: aparthotel Chamberí, Madrid.
- Near the Retiro: quiet, close to the museums on the paseo del Prado. See the Retiro park. Search: aparthotel Retiro, Madrid.
- Malasaña and Chueca: lively atmosphere, rather for travellers who go out in the evening. See Malasaña. Search: stays in Malasaña, Madrid.
The supply of aparthotels changes often: use the "property type" filter on Booking.com and read recent reviews.
Hotel pick: Líbere Madrid Chamberí (Booking listing read 3 November 2026): aparthotel on Calle de José Abascal in Chamberí; guests mention a well-equipped kitchen and helpful staff. Limit: kitchens may differ by room category, so check the one you book.
Tourist flats: the rules to know
Rentals between individuals exist in Madrid, but regulation has tightened and part of the online supply is not compliant.
- RESIDE plan. Since it came into force in September 2025, new tourist flats are no longer allowed in residential buildings in the historic centre: they must occupy an entire building dedicated to that use. Elsewhere, a tourist flat in a residential building must have independent access, on the ground or first floor. The city council had already suspended new licences in April 2024. Source: madrid.es.
- Registration number. The Community of Madrid requires a vivienda de uso turístico to be declared in the regional tourism register, its number to appear in listings and a plaque to be displayed at the entrance. A listing without a number is a warning sign. Sources: comunidad.madrid and decree 79/2014.
- Hotels and aparthotels. They are classified hotel establishments: these questions do not arise.
Tourist tax: none in Madrid
As of 1 October 2026, Madrid does not charge a tourist tax: the city council rejected a proposal to introduce one in July 2026. The displayed price therefore has no supplement on that account. To estimate the rest, see the budget for a trip to Madrid.
Pitfalls to avoid
- A listing without a registration number, or one you cannot find: do not insist.
- Payment outside the platform. Never pay by bank transfer or through a link sent in a message; see scams to avoid in Madrid.
- Flattering photos, small real size. Check the floor area in square metres and whether there is a lift, often missing in old buildings.
- Air conditioning. Essential from June to September: check that it appears in the description.
- Extra fees. Final cleaning, linen, deposit or late arrival may be added; read the conditions before booking.
- Late arrival. Tell the property if you arrive at night, especially from the airport (see our guide to transport in Madrid).
- Early departure. The left-luggage service saves dragging suitcases around on departure day.
Prices rise during San Isidro (mid-May), Pride (late June and early July), big football matches and Ifema trade fairs: book with free cancellation, for instance on Booking.com in Madrid.
