Sleep in splendour in Madrid’s best hotels where opulence meets Spanish charm
Find them on glamorous boulevards and atmospheric boutique-lined alleyways, next to magnificent galleries and museums, and overlooking luscious parks, luxury hotels in Madrid are in abundance. Inside you’ll discover historical Spanish charm, world-class design, modern comforts and award-winning culinary experiences. With two-thirds of Madrid’s hotels boasting four or five stars, there’s a wealth of opulent options. Here’s a selection of the Madrid hotels where you can rest like royalty.
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid (lead picture)
Nestled between Puerta del Sol and Barrio de las Letras, Madrid’s most glamorous five-star hotel is a place where seven classic buildings seamlessly merge. The expansive space is home to a glass-encased 46-foot swimming pool, a high-end shopping gallery, more than 1,500 pieces of artwork, a serene spa, a Rossano Ferretti hair salon and 200 elegantly adorned rooms and 22 residences.
A must-visit for gourmands, acclaimed chef Dani Garcia has set up shop at this decadent Madrid landmark, with his namesake Dani, one of the most popular rooftop restaurants in the region, serving elevated Andalusian cuisine to a well-heeled clientele. Dani is joined by Isa Restaurant and Cocktail Bar and El Patio lobby bar for more casual lounging. C de Sevilla, 3, Centro, 28014 Madrid; www.fourseasons.com/madrid
Hotel Orfila
Part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel group, the intimate Hotel Orfila in the Chamberi district is somehow hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city’s prime tourist sites, yet within walking distance of the best that Madrid has to offer including Retiro Park, the Prado Museum and the upmarket shopping districts of Goya and Serrano. Family-owned, and with just 32 rooms – each decorated differently – interiors by Lorenzo Castillo take centre stage, with unique artworks and antiques decorating the stylish space.
Guests can also enjoy massages and other wellness treatments at the renowned Caroli Health Club, which is just a two-minute walk away, and the great chef Mario Sandoval, from two-starred Coque, oversees the hotel’s excellent culinary offering, which includes the charming Jardín de Orfila featuring some of the prettiest terrace tables in the city. C de Orfila, 6, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid; www.hotelorfila.com
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
Opulence is king at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, which reopened its doors in 2021 after a €99 million renovation. Perfectly placed just a stone’s throw from Retiro Park, and near the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums, the 153-key hotel was once just The Ritz, where Prince Rainier III of Monaco and his Princess Grace Kelly spent their honeymoon. Highlights include the Beauty Concept spa with its spectacular indoor pool and treatment cabins, the two-Michelin star Deessa restaurant and the Pictura cocktail bar.
High-net-worth clients will want to check into the two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which boasts an elegant reception hall, stunning circular bedroom, two living rooms, two large bathrooms and two guest powder rooms. Pl de la Lealtad, 5, Retiro, 28014 Madrid; www.mandarinoriental.com/en/madrid/hotel-ritz
Rosewood Villa Magna
Bucket list stays await at the deluxe Rosewood Villa Magna on the plush Paseo de la Castellana in Madrid’s upscale Salamanca quarter. Popular with wellness enthusiasts, who you’ll most likely find enjoying innovative hair treatments and a standout Turkish marble hammams at the lavish Sense spa, its 154 spacious rooms feature huge marble baths.
Mealtimes here are also a delight with flagship Amós, run by Jesús Sánchez, serving signature Cantabrian cuisine. Flor y Nata is the place to go for traditional afternoon tea, and all-day dining destination Las Brasas de Castellana offers simpler but no less delicious sustenance. Just across the road, you’ll find two more highly recommended restaurants, Tse Yand and 99 KO Sushi bar, making this a winning stopover for foodies. Pl de la Castellana, 22, Salamanca, 28046 Madrid. www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/villa-magna
The Madrid EDITION
One of the newest luxury hotels on the block The Madrid EDITION opened its doors in 2022 in the Old Town. A design-forward luxury bolthole that’s popular with the city’s cool creative crowd, its buzzing atmosphere, evident from the moment visitors cross the threshold, is energising.
A huge curved white staircase leading to the lobby sets the scene for a stylish stay. There are 177 rooms, a dreamy spa and a stunning 55-foot-long rooftop pool and bar area flanked by day beds.
Diners are spoilt for choice with chef Enrique Olvera’s Mexican restaurant Jeronimo, and chef Diego Muñoz’s Oroya, which serves a tapas menu and family-style sharing plates. Pl de Celenque, 2, Centro, 28013, Madrid; www.editionhotels.com/madrid
The Principal Madrid
The Principal Madrid discreetly presides at the end of Gran Vía, Madrid’s main street. Encased inside a 20th-century building, its exteriors might not go unnoticed but step inside and you’ll be greeted with one of the most elegant accommodations in the city, complete with marble floors and velvet furnishings.
Home to 76 calming and comfortable rooms, this boutique five-star property is popular with media and fashion crowds, who adore the aloof rooftop restaurant, Ático, where the views vie for attention with chef Ramón Freixa’s gorgeous Spanish dishes. C del Marques de Valdeiglesias, 1, Centro, 28004, Madrid; www.theprincipalmadridhotel.com
Hotel Urban
Situated in the bustling core of Madrid Centro, Hotel Urban is part of the Design Hotel group, this sophisticated establishment showcases a curated mix of artworks and sleek art-deco design. The creation of Jordi Clos, the visionary leader of the Derby Hotels Collection, the hotel offers 96 rooms with clean aesthetics and polished hardwood flooring.
Despite its boutique nature, Hotel Urban boasts a range of impressive amenities. Guests can relax at the stylish glass-walled bar, keep fit in the gym, or enjoy the rooftop swimming pool. Culinary enthusiasts will appreciate the hotel's flagship restaurant, CEBO, where chef Aurelio Morales crafts dishes using the freshest seasonal ingredients. Given its acclaim, it's wise to reserve a table ahead of time. Cra de S, Jeronimo, 34, Centro, 28014 Madrid; www.hotelurban.com
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá
Promising timeless glamour, Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá is a stunning five-star hotel nestled in Madrid's historic Los Austrias neighbourhood. Housed in a meticulously restored 19th-century palace, this luxurious retreat is steeped in history. Guests can sleep under reproductions of Diego Velázquez’s masterpieces, with the originals just a short stroll away in nearby museums.
The hotel’s crown jewel is undoubtedly its spectacular rooftop pool and hot tub, offering breathtaking views of the distant mountains. For those seeking relaxation, the Thai-inspired spa provides a serene escape for the afternoon. Culinary delights abound, with El Jardín de los Duques serving refined traditional Madrilenian dishes, while Montmartre Restaurant offers an enticing fusion of Spanish and French cuisine. Cuesta de Sto. Domingo, 5 Centro, 28013, Madrid; www.melia.com/en/hotels/spain/madrid/palacio-de-los-duques-gran-melia
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