Madrid, where to stay?

[Eggybreadwithnuts]

Want to go with some friends in October, can you please recommend:

What area to stay that's in the city so in the thick of it all

Boutiquey type hotel probably

Thank you

Also recommendations on must places to see please

Wherever you stay, you must visit the Mercado San Miguel and you must do it ready to eat and drink. We stayed in the Hotel Catalonia Puerta del Sol which was walking distance from the Prado and the Thyssen Bornemisza National Museum (which is far superior to the Prado, in my opinion). The Retiro Gardens are a lovely walk.
Hotel Catalonia is a lovely small chain of boutique hotels. Quite large rooms for a capital city hotel. I think they may have more than one in Madrid but the Puerta del Sol location was no more than 15 minutes walk from anything we wanted to see.

@SandrenaIsMyBloodType some recommendations thank you am looking now

How long are you going for? Do you want to tick off all the classics? Madrid has so much to recommend.

Only 4 days

I’ve stayed at the hotel Vinci Soho; it was lovely and very central.

If you are there over a weekend, Sunday at El Parque de Buen Retiro is lovely. Or, if you are in La Latina/ Lavapiés, there is El Rastro Market on a Sunday morning, but go early before it starts to heave!

This is a good location too. Whatever you do OP, don’t eat beside Puerta Del Sol, they will rip you off for being a tourist. I lived in Madrid for years.

When I last went with my friends we stayed at Gran View apartments - huge terrace, all mod cons and roof top pool (small) and bar. Walking distance to everything, metro across the road. Top faves - churros at San Gines, brunch at secret roof top garden - Salvador Bachiller, and tapas at el Abuelo. And cocktail at roof top in Aloft hotel.