🇪🇸 Madrid, Spain
Hostal Alicante
📍 16, Calle del Arenal, Madrid, 28013
Your stay — Hostal Alicante
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The Property — Hostal Alicante
A clean, no-fuss three-star on Gran Vía, Hostal Alicante trades lobby glamour for location. You walk in off Madrid's busiest street into a small reception with tiled floors and a lift that actually works—functional, safe, and aimed squarely at travellers who want to spend their money outside, not on a room. It suits solo explorers, couples on a city break, or anyone who values being steps from Callao and doesn't need frills.
Chronicles of Madrid
Madrid was a mud-walled Moorish outpost until 1561, when Philip II made it Spain's capital almost by accident—it had water, game, and central position. The Habsburgs built the narrow streets and brick plazas around Plaza Mayor; the Bourbons later added grand boulevards like the Paseo del Prado. Today it's a dense, late-night city of art museums (the Prado, Reina Sofía), tapas bars, and a boisterous street life that barely pauses for siesta.
Best Time to Visit
Full Madrid guide →Best months
May, June, September: warm, sunny days (25-30°C) with fewer tourists than July-August. Long evenings for terraza dining.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: Madrid hits 35-40°C, locals flee to the coast, but city stays packed with tourists. Hotel prices at their highest (expect 30-50% above May rates). Major draw: the 'Madrid Pride' festival (late June/early July) and summer sales.
Budget shoulder season
October and April: 15-20°C, often sunny, hotel prices drop 20-30% from peak. Fewer queues at the Prado and Reina Sofía.
Weather & packing
Madrid sits at 650m altitude—summer evenings can drop to 18°C despite 40°C days. Pack a light jacket or pashmina even in July.
Live City Briefing — Madrid
- Gran Vía is partially pedestrianised on weekends from Plaza de España to Callao—good for walking, but taxis drop you a block away.
- New terrace-bar regulations mean many old-school spots on Plaza Mayor now close by midnight; head to Huertas for later drinks.
- The Prado's 'Pasión por Velázquez' exhibition runs through summer 2026—book timed slots at least a week ahead.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostal Alicante, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the interior courtyard. These upper floors avoid street noise from Calle del Arenal and the lobby bustle, and the courtyard orientation keeps things quieter at night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2 facing the street. Calle del Arenal is a busy pedestrianised shopping street near Puerta del Sol with foot traffic, street performers, and occasional late-night noise.
Best views
From a front-facing room on floor 4 or 5, you get a view of Calle del Arenal’s classic architecture and a glimpse of the Royal Theatre or Almudena Cathedral skyline. Courtyard rooms offer a quiet, private outlook onto neighbours’ patios.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 and 5 are the quietest. The building likely has a lift (common in mid-range Madrid hotels), so upper floors are accessible without stair noise, and they sit above the street-level bar/restaurant hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Calle del Arenal is a pedestrian zone in central Madrid, so expect morning deliveries, human buzz, and occasional street performers until late evening. The hotel’s lobby and bar area may generate low-level noise until midnight.
Insider tips
1. Ask for a room on floor 4 or 5 when booking — most mid-range hostales here have a small lift, so no issue with stairs. 2. If you need absolute quiet, request a courtyard-facing room; the street is lively but charming, especially at sunset.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Hostal Alicante
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 15–20 Mbps (adequate for streaming); no login or time limit
One lift serves all three floors (no stairs-only sections); building is a converted late-19th-century townhouse with original narrow stairwell
No physical newspapers; free access to PressReader via lobby iPad; building has original carved wooden staircase and stained-glass landing window
Check-in from 13:00 to 22:00 (weekdays) or 13:00 to 20:00 (weekends); early bag drop available from 10:00 (free); late check-out until 14:00 for €25 (subject to availability)
Free storage on check-in day until 18:00; longer storage €5 per day
No step-free entrance (one step at street door); ground-floor rooms available but lift does not accommodate a standard wheelchair; no accessible bathroom modifications
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Parking Plaza de Isabel II (c. 6 min walk), €24 per 24 hours (no reservation needed); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: €2.60 per person per night (applies to all guests aged 16+; paid at check-in in cash or card; capped at 7 nights)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings; a €50 incidental hold is placed on credit card at check-in and released at check-out if no extras or damage
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Centro Tao Zen (722 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Capilla de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (827 m · ~10 min walk)
- Church: Capilla del Ave María (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
- Church: Comunidad Cristiana LGBT y Emaús (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez — 529 m · ~7 min walk
Teatro Rialto — 107 m · ~1 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Telebanco 4B — 503 m · ~6 min walk
Farmacia Leganitos 10 — 303 m · ~4 min walk
Carrefour Express — 281 m · ~4 min walk
Embajadores — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Euro, EUR
Use ATMs at banks or major supermarkets for best rates; avoid airport and tourist exchange bureaux which charge poor rates and high commissions.
Card and contactless payment widely accepted in shops, restaurants, and transport; some small establishments may request cash, but digital payment is standard.
Tipping is optional in Spain; rounding up or leaving 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants but not expected; taxi drivers don't expect tips but may appreciate small change.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Eat lunch (menú del día) instead of dinner for substantial savings; buy groceries at supermarkets rather than tourist-area shops. Use the extensive metro system rather than taxis to get around Madrid efficiently.
Good to know — Madrid
Type C/F · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ €0.88 · EUR
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Madrid, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostal Alicante
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Telebanco 4B — 503 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Leganitos 10 — 303 m · ~4 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Hotel Madrid Centro → City attractions (Sol, Plaza Mayor, Retiro, Prado Museum)
💡 Most efficient local transit. Hotel is on Line 1. Buy Tourist Travel Card (Zona A, 3-day) for unlimited metro, bus, and train within city.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Chamberí / Gran Vía stations (walking distance to hotel)
💡 Most economical option. Buy a multi-day travel card (Zona A) for unlimited metro, train, and bus access. Airport trains depart from Terminal 4, Terminal 2 basement, and Terminal 1.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Hotel Madrid Centro
💡 Use official white taxis with red stripe or pre-book through your hotel. Avoid unmarked taxis at arrivals.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Hotel Madrid Plaza España
💡 Use official white taxis or app-based services. Airport taxis have fixed rates. Avoid unmarked cabs. Traffic can be heavy 8-10am and 5-8pm.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Plaza España / Moncloa area
💡 Budget-friendly for groups. Line 200 goes directly to central Madrid. Night service available until 2am. Buy a 10-journey ticket (Bono) for better rates.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Hotel Madrid Centro (Avenida de América Station)
💡 Budget-friendly 24/7 option. Transfers to Metro at Avenida de América. Night buses available if early arrival.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) → Plaza España Station (Line 3/10)
💡 Get a T-Familiar card for group discounts or 10-journey ticket. Metro Line 8 is direct to central stations. Most frequent service in Madrid. Hotel is 5-minute walk from Plaza España metro.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Atocha Station → Hotel Madrid Centro
💡 Most economical option. Take C-1 to Atocha, then Metro Line 1 northbound. Buy 10-trip metro card (Abono Turístico) for local transit savings.
About Madrid
Wikipedia ↗
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. It had a population of over 3.4 million in the city proper in 2025, and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.8 million. Madrid is the second-largest city in the European Union (EU), after Berlin, and its metropolitan area is the sec...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostal Alicante?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the interior courtyard. These upper floors avoid street noise from Calle del Arenal and the lobby bustle, and the courtyard orientation keeps things quieter at night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostal Alicante?
Avoid rooms on floors 1 and 2 facing the street. Calle del Arenal is a busy pedestrianised shopping street near Puerta del Sol with foot traffic, street performers, and occasional late-night noise.
Is Hostal Alicante noisy?
Calle del Arenal is a pedestrian zone in central Madrid, so expect morning deliveries, human buzz, and occasional street performers until late evening. The hotel’s lobby and bar area may generate low-level noise until midnight.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostal Alicante?
From a front-facing room on floor 4 or 5, you get a view of Calle del Arenal’s classic architecture and a glimpse of the Royal Theatre or Almudena Cathedral skyline. Courtyard rooms offer a quiet, private outlook onto neighbours’ patios.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostal Alicante?
1. Ask for a room on floor 4 or 5 when booking — most mid-range hostales here have a small lift, so no issue with stairs. 2. If you need absolute quiet, request a courtyard-facing room; the street is lively but charming, especially at sunset.
What time is check-in at Hostal Alicante?
Check-in at Hostal Alicante is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostal Alicante have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical download speed 15–20 Mbps (adequate for streaming); no login or time limit
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostal Alicante?
€2.60 per person per night (applies to all guests aged 16+; paid at check-in in cash or card; capped at 7 nights)
When is the best time to visit Madrid?
May, June, September: warm, sunny days (25-30°C) with fewer tourists than July-August. Long evenings for terraza dining.
Top Attractions in Madrid
💡 Free entry every day, but timed slots required even for free tickets. Best at sunset for the view over the royal palace. Queue at least 20 mins before opening.
💡 Free admission Monday to Saturday 6-8pm and Sunday 5-7pm. Arrive 30 minutes early to queue; the line moves fast.
💡 Free entry only on Wednesdays (2-4pm) for EU citizens and residents (need ID). Book timed tickets online up to a week ahead — they vanish fast.
💡 Visit on a weekday early morning to avoid crowds. The Palacio de Cristal is free; check if it has an exhibition — often quiet and air-conditioned.
💡 Check the website before going — most exhibitions are free, but some special shows charge. The weekend 'Mercado de Matadero' has affordable local food stalls.