Inside the historic grid, everything is five minutes apart — aim for the Calle Mayor / Plaza de Cervantes axis. The parador end (Calle Colegios) is quietest. Near the Cercanías station works for early trains but sacrifices the evening atmosphere that justifies staying at all.
Alcalá de Henares lists around 38 bookable hotels and guesthouses, from roughly €48/night. Prices on the area page are live; booking 3–6 weeks out usually lands the best rate, with free cancellation on most rooms.
If it books out or you want to compare: Chinchón (from €55/night), Aranjuez (from €52/night), Sol (from €45/night) — each with its own area guide on this site.
Curated picks are coming — meanwhile, the live search covers every bookable property at the same price or better.