No more holidays in Madrid?

[LadyLindaT]

Since 2025, Madrid has clamped down on private rentals for tourist lets. It now seems to be impossible to find anywhere to stay in the city centre. I understand the reasoning, but I find it sad that there is nowhere legal to stay, anymore.

We’re going to Madrid in October (joining DH on a work trip) and his work have booked us a serviced apartment in what appears to be a purpose built block, right by Liria Palace. They booked it through Airbnb.

I wish they’d cut down on Airbnb in London too.

If it's Copla Liria, that's also bookable through Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia and a bunch of other booking platforms.

Totally disagree I travel a lot, many hotels are fantastic with allergies. Mine is also life threatening and you need to at some point teach your kids they can cope. Just do the research.

There is loads of Aparthotel type accomodation in Spain. Best of both worlds. Hotel facilities and service and a small livingroom with basic kitchen facilities.

Alos there are still loads of apartments on Booking.com in Madrid.

<sigh> my post has been hidden, presumably for naming other booking platforms the probable "purpose built block right by Liria Palace" can be booked through.

To emphasise that it's not only bookable through Airbnb, the booking platform that's been mentioned repeatedly on this thread.

I agree that Spanish hotels seem to be dark and brown in the corridors. But rooms are beige so lighter!!!

Apartments make much more sense when traveling with young children - and in groups. They should not be in residential areas though. (I would be cross if my neighbors started to let out their flat to a succession of strangers).

That's fine. We do eat out sometimes. But my children have multiple allergies between them and it's complex and exhausting.
I also have an abusive ex who would be (and has been) horrible to me if they have a reaction (despite most of their reactions happening on his watch)

The odd meal out /breakfast at a hotel is one thing (although with milk and egg allergies breakfast options are often limited) . But a whole week in a hotel is just not something that any of us would choose.

I think it's pretty bad form to extrapolate from your own experience to tell others how they should feel /live.

I don't visit places people don't want tourists.

I know, but his work can only use a couple of specific platforms, Airbnb and a dedicated business travel one. It wasn’t on the latter so they did it through Airbnb.

@greensoupI understand living with an abusive ex. My post was to try and help you as I know living with allergies is exhausting and I also have an ND DD who I am teaching how to navigate life with the same allergies I have. We are at an AI now in Turkey which has been amazing with our allergies. The AI in Cyprus we went to last year was brilliant too. It’s honestly doable.

I need to be able to prepare and cook food so it’s self-catering all the way. I love a hotel and will do a week but always come back a a bad stomach 😔

They want affordable homes in the city centre for the local people who live and work there.

But you can stay in proper approved self catering apartments. You still have that choice if hotels don't work for you and your family.

OP was scaremongering a bit here. It's the Airbnb lets in ordinary quiet residential areas that are affected by the new rules i.e in the areas mainly resided permanently by local families.

Thank you I appreciate your understanding
But we just prefer to self cater and go out for the occasional meal.

Mine have quite a number of severe allergies, including to milk and egg and other common foods,.and it's just more relaxing for meals out to be a choice rather than the only option

I think I may have been misconstrued, when I used the term "private". I didn't mean to cause offence. I, too, am against dodgy AirB&B's. Madrileños should able to find affordable housing in their own city. I fully support the introduction and enforcement of the CIVUT. I was just saying it is sadly now impossible to find "legal" Tourist Apartment Rental Accommodation in Centro, unless you win the Lottery! Most serviced apartments tend to have communal facilities, which is not my idea of a relaxing visit to Madrid.

DS and his friend found an apartment rental back in January. They managed. Wasn't too far out

But Madrid is a densely built capital city. There is a reason why hotels are the norm for people staying in the centre of large cities - bigger and self contained apartment accommodation is in high demand for residents and workers.

Most people visiting cities for holidays do so for a few days and most (although I do understand not all) will want to be out and about a lot (including eating out) as this is the point of a city break.

Honestly, I sometimes wonder if people actually understand cities and towns are real places where people actually live and work, not just somewhere fun for you to go on holiday.

If you want something perfectly tailored to a relaxing, do nothing holiday, try a purpose built resort.

That’s a you thing I’m afraid. Aparthotels are a possible answer.

I don't find a hotel claustrophobic at all wtf.

Well I guess it’s no more Madrid for you. I wonder how people survived before Airbnb, it must have been awful(!)

I always use hotels. Great hotels in Madrid.

I have only stayed in Airbnb once and while it was fine (Normandy and no hotels nearby), I much prefer a hotel TBH.

I enjoy sitting in the lounge/reception area and people watching, having the room cleaned and fresh towels and replenishments every day, plus the absolute dream of a fabulous hotel breakfast every morning. I will always try to get a balcony room, or a hotel with a garden or similar outside seating area, and the room must have tea/coffee facilities and a fridge.

I often travel solo, so there is safety in a hotel for me. I'd hate to be in an A bnb and be ill, or find cameras, or not be able to contact the owner and so on. Just a me thing then!

Apartments are great on a fly and flop holiday though. I accept that one and have done that as part of a package, but not in a city.

We have booked a résidence in France for an upcoming break, it’s basically an aparthotel. We can have breakfast there if we like, there’s a dining room, or we can get fresh bread and pastries to bring back to eat in the apartment and make our own coffee.
I do like hotels but it’s so nice to have that much more space (résidence has separate bedrooms as well as cooking/eating/living areas and a balcony) if you’re staying for several days or more.