When you visit the capital of Spain, you expect to find a sprawling city full of noise, dust, and people. While this is certainly true of Madrid, it also has an abundance of museums, theatres, quiet back streets, and quaint restraints and pubs as well. If this is the side of the city you want to see, then you would be ideally suited to a stay in one of the centrally located hotels.

Perhaps one of the most convenient hotels is the Husa Moncloa (Serrano Jover, 1, Madrid, 28015), which is located in one of the most convenient areas of the city (in the heart of the business district, and very close to the shopping area). This four star hotel offers a whole host of advantages, including a great onsite restaurant, serving traditional Mediterranean and international foods, a bar, heated pool, and a sauna. The comfortable, spacious rooms have baths, showers, air conditioning, and a minibar, to name but a few of the extensive amenities. The contemporary design, minimalist look, and timely service make the Husa Moncloa a great destination for the traveller who wants no hassle or fuss on their holiday. All your needs are taken care of at this hotel, the room service is prompt, the cleaners diligent, and the staff friendly. What more could you ask of a hotel in the very heart of one of the busiest, liveliest cities in Spain?

If you want a four star hotel with a bit of a difference, then the Hotel Preciados (Preciados 37, 28013 Madrid) is the perfect choice. It is situated in the cultural, business, and commercial district of the city, and is very convenient to attractions such as the Royal Palace and the Cathedral (Catedral de la Almudena). The building itself was built in 1881, but has now been completely refurbished. It combines 19th-century elegance with 21st-century progress, meaning it offers the best of both worlds: 73 modern rooms alongside old-fashioned architecture that is beautiful on the eye. Whether you're looking for Internet connection, laundry service, or a soundproof room, the Preciados offers all this and more. There is even an executive and non-smoking floor, meeting rooms, and an exclusive floor for female executives.

Please click here for all Madrid City Centre hotels

Yet another centrally located hotel is the Tryp Alondras (Jose Abascal, 8, Madrid). This hotel is light and roomy, having been designed to reflect light and encourage a bright and minimalist look. The hotel has, amongst other things, a concierge, night porter, limousine service, rental car desk, laundry service, and safety deposit boxes. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Alondras is the feeling of space and comfort you get in each of their guestrooms. Each room is designed with simplicity and ease of use in mind, and all include a telephone, pay TV, air conditioning, hairdryer, modem access, and trouser press. There is room service available too. There are also lots of local attractions nearby, including the Teatro Espanol, the Teatro Lope de Vega, the Teatro Albeniz, the Teatro La Latina, the Duran Gallery, the Warner Bros Park, and the Reina Sofia Museum to name but a few!

The Villa De La Reina Hotel (Gran Via 22, 28013 Madrid) is a great four-star hotel in the centre of the capital. Along with room service, selected non-smoking rooms, currency exchange, and car rental services, the Villa De La Reina also offers various tours, is close to Gran Via underground, has an assortment of meeting rooms, and has some executive rooms with Internet connection. Check in time is two o'clock in the afternoon, and checkout is at midday. On the premises, visitors can find a cocktail bar, restaurant, bar, lounge, and banqueting facilities. When booking a room at this establishment, it is wise to book in advance, as places fill up fast. There are single rooms, twin rooms, and twin rooms with extra sofa beds available. The prices range, but can start at as little as 45 euros for a single room, rising to 90 euros for a twin room with an extra sofa bed.

Another good option is the NH Zurbano (Zurbano, 79-81, Madrid). It is located near the centre of the city (3km from the city centre), in the Azca commercial area, just one hundred metres from the Paseo de la Castellana and close to Nuevos Ministerios. The nearest tube station is Gregorio Maranont. This stylish hotel ranges from 79 euros per room, and offers some of the most modern and contemporary guestrooms in the city. Each room is complete with all the standard amenities, including a private bath and shower, television, minibar, safe, and complimentary toiletries. If you are travelling to Madrid on business, you will be pleased to know that VIP services, fax and photocopying facilities, parking, and PCs for guests are available for each patron's use. Attractions local to the Zurbano include the Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia Museum, the Thyssen Museum, and Retiro Park.

There are many more hotels in Madrid that cater for the needs of the traveller who wants to stay as near to the action as possible. The ones listed here exemplify the standards that should be upheld in any city centre hotel, whether two stars or four stars, large or small. Ultimately, the hotel you choose should be close to the attractions you are interested in, well priced, and comfortable to stay in - qualities which each of these listed hotels represent for sure.