Top 10: the best hotels in Madrid city centre
An insider's guide to the top hotels in Madrid's city-centre, including the best for Michelin-starred dining, spas and rooftop bars and pools, in locations such as Gran Vía, Plaza Santa Ana and Chueca, and close to sights such as the Prado and Reina Sofia.
Me Madrid Reina Victoria
The hotel has a prime location on the Plaza Santa Ana in downtown Madrid, at the opposite end of the square to the Teatro Espa?ol, Spain’s national theatre. Outside, the hotel is a gleaming white structure with a corner turret that looks as if it has been transported from a spa resort. It was built a century ago and became a favourite hotel of top matadors, particularly Manolete - a bull’s head in the lounge is a tribute to the building’s history. The glamour of the Reina Victoria’s former life has filtered through to the present day but now it is all Skandi-chic with Eames-style chairs inside. The rooftop bar, with panoramic views across the city and a covered section for less-than-sultry nights.
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Room Mate Alicia
The hotel is right on the buzzing Plaza Santa Ana in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras, which is where Madrid’s first theatres were situated back in the 17th century. Pascua Ortega, one of Spain’s most coveted interior designers, has transformed an early 20th-century industrial building into a stunning, light-filled space that has become a favourite haunt of fashion and media types. Pale wood contrasts with bold splashes of colour in the 34 rooms and suites, where light floods in through big windows. The two rather splendid duplex suites have roof terraces and plunge pools.
Read the full review: Room Mate Alicia, Madrid
7 Islas Hotel
The 7 Islas is the new in-the-know place to stay in Madrid, and it's situated in Malasa?a, one of the trendiest neighbourhoods. A two-minute walk brings you to Gran Vía, with its shops and fastfood joints, and you can walk to other buzzy barrios such as Chueca and Conde Duque in five minutes or so. The hotel itself resembles an art gallery in an industrial warehouse – although originally it was a normal building that Juan Rosa, an empresario from Lanzarote, turned into a hotel. You have everything you need on your doorstep.
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Vincci The Mint
Fashionable and fun, the four-star Vincci The Mint is the sort of hotel that forms part of your city break, rather than just being somewhere to sleep. With zingy design, healthy food, naughty cocktails and a spectacular roof terrace, it is totally on trend and fits right into the peppy Madrid vibe. It sits on the Gran Vía, the main avenue through the centre of the city, from where it is 10 minutes’ walk from the Thyssen-Bormemisza and Prado museums and the Retiro Park. The trendy Chueca neighbourhood is just behind the hotel – you can just slip out of the back door – with boutiques, bars and cafés.
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The Principal Madrid
The hotel is at the beginning the Gran Vía, the main drag through the centre of Madrid. The grand early-20th century building has been transformed inside into a cool oasis with a soothing palette of dark tones in the rooms and public spaces. It has the feel of a private club in New York or London. There are 76 rooms and suites in six categories with high ceilings and large windows. Some have small balconies. The chic roof terrace is one of the most coveted spots in Madrid for a drink in summer.
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Only You
Barquillo, where Only You is located, is the street that divides the hip Chueca and stylish Salesas neighbourhoods. For those seeking one of the coolest places to stay in the city, you can’t go wrong here. The hotel is in a charming former palace that dates back to the 19th century, all arched windows, Juliette balconies, window shutters and awnings. The original central courtyard is now a quadruple-height lobby which, under the vision of Barcelona-based interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, is the centrepiece of the hotel. Other public spaces also make you want to linger.
Read the full review: Only You, Madrid
URSO Hotel & Spa
The Urso is in the elegant Alonso Martínez area of Madrid, a few minutes’ walk from the oh-so-trendy neighbourhoods of Malasa?a and Chueca. The architect of URSO, Antonio Obrador, has conserved many original features, such as the tiles on the fa?ade, the fabulous mahogany lift and the stained-glass windows on the staircase. Although it is in the centre of Madrid, a muted palette of cool green, grey and cream tones and delicate Japanese prints create an air of calm and discreet chicness. There are 78 rooms and suites, all flooded with natural light from big windows. The spa is everything an urban spa should be.
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Hotel Círculo Gran Vía
Grand architecture meets cool contemporary style in a former gentleman's club on Madrid's iconic Gran Vía avenue in the heart of the shopping area. Rooms are havens of pared-back luxury, providing the perfect backdrop for prepping for and recovering from the city's legendary nightlife. The hotel is on the corner of Calle Hortaleza and the Gran Vía, the main avenue through the centre of the city, in an area full of shops, bars and restaurants. The fashionable Chueca and Malasa?a neighbourhoods are just around the corner and the major museums are a 15 to 20-minute walk.
Read the full review: Hotel Círculo Gran Vía
Hotel único Madrid
The único is on one of Madrid’s most exclusive streets in the swish Salamanca district, and is surrounded by smart shops with lots of restaurants nearby. With its pale gray fa?ade, swirling black and white mosaic floors combining Bardiglio, Carrara and Thassos marble, a dramatic red sculpture hanging in the stairwell and embossed wood in geometric patterns throughout the hotel, the único is nothing if not dramatic. The property was originally a grand residence and it still has a discreet, private feel. The 44 rooms and suites, some with balconies, are very smart. Ramon Freixa’s restaurant in the hotel has two Michelin stars, making this a top choice for foodies.
Read the full review: Hotel Unico Madrid
Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Serious luxury has come to Madrid with this five-star hotel in a lavishly remodelled palace. Superb service, luxe materials, outstanding food and soothing design combine to create a secret haven in the heart of the city. A great choice for a special occasion or treat. The hotel is on a quiet street right in the centre, with the Teatro Real opera house and Opera metro station a minute's walk down the hill. The Royal Palace is a five-minute walk away. You’ll come across plenty of bars and restaurants on the neighbouring streets, as well as the shops lining the adjacent Gran Vía, Arenal and the Puerta del Sol.
Read the full review: Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
