The 15 Best Hotels in Madrid

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid

Housed in a striking 19th century building, the Estudio Lamela-designed Four Seasons Hotel Madrid has become a favorite of locals and visitors alike since opening in September 2020, landing coveted spots on our It List in 2021 and World’s Best Awards in 2022 and 2023 for its regal design and refined service.

It’s one of seven meticulously restored buildings in the Centro Canalejas, including a luxury shopping center that’s a destination in itself. In terms of location, this 200-room property is as central as it gets — Puerta del Sol and the Prado museum are only a short walk away — but once you’ve glimpsed the expansive wellness center (at four stories, it’s the largest in the city) and buzzy rooftop restaurant Dani (helmed by local chef Dani García), you may be tempted to stick around for a while. While the city has no shortage of museums, art buffs will love that the hotel itself features a collection of over 2,500 pieces from local artists studded throughout the space.

Original features like the lobby’s stained-glass roof have been restored to their former glory, while bright rooms — including 39 spacious suites and 22 private residences — balance old-world style with modern amenities in sophisticated neutral tones, plus marble bathrooms. If you’re looking to splash out on a truly unforgettable stay, spring for one of the gargantuan, classically-decorated suites, like the light-washed Penthouse Suite, which leads out onto two terraces overlooking calles Sevilla and Alcalás below. Guests can count on the dedicated concierge team to curate exceptional experiences as well, from Flamenco workshops to Spanish wine tastings.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Centro
• Distance From Airport: 9 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Puerta del Sol, Prado Museum, San Fernando Fine Art Royal Academy, Gran Via, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum
• Accessibility: Across room categories
• Rates: Start at $860

Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá - The Leading Hotels of the World

You may not be able to spend the night in the Prado, but you can still sleep beneath some magnificent Spanish artwork (or replicas of it, at least) at this Diego Velázquez-inspired property. Fluffy white beds beckon beneath prints of his famous 17th-century paintings, many of which hang in museums that are just a few minutes’ walk away. Of the 160 rooms and 20 suites, several are well suited to family travel, including two- and three-bedroom suites that are available exclusively for Red Level guests, who receive perks ranging from private check-in to access to the hotel’s executive lounge, an open bar, and more. At all levels, rooms feature Champagne-hued velvet couches and thick golden drapes that draw on the moody and opulent palette of the works, while bathrooms are stocked with Clarins toiletries and typically feature both bathtubs and showers.

What truly sets this 19th century palace apart is its spectacular rooftop pool and hot tub, which provide delightful views over the city from an intimate perch in Los Austrias, one of the most bustling neighborhoods. Downstairs, the manicured garden and courtyard also allow for moments of quiet contemplation — and if it’s serenity you’re after, you’re bound to find it at the Thai-inspired spa, which boasts a sauna and steam room. 

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Los Austrias
• Distance From Airport: 10 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace, Royal Theater, La Almudena Cathedral
• Accessibility: Nine adapted rooms
• Rates: Start at $332

Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid

Gilded and gorgeous, this historic 1910 property reopened to much fanfare in 2021 (after a $100 million overhaul), re-establishing itself as the singular place to see and be seen in Spain’s capital city. The property’s historic Palm Court was brought back to life after decades out of use, while a new Mediterranean restaurant bloomed in its iconic garden — just a few of the superb updates which earned it a spot on our It List (2022) and in our World’s Best Awards (2022). Sauntering past the uniformed doorman and into the ornate lobby, it’s impossible not to consider whose company you might be in: the institution is a favorite of the Spanish royal family (King Alfonso XIII helped finance it), while Grace Kelly honeymooned here and Salvador Dalí dined in its garden. Take it all in from the intimate Champagne Bar or over the highly lauded tasting menu at two-Michelin-star Deesa, a glamorous affair helmed by chef Quique Dacosta.

After dinner (and perhaps a dip in the marble pool at the serene Beauty Concept retreat), you can luxuriate in unparalleled comfort and chic design specifics in each of the 100 rooms and 53 suites. Think Spanish leather headboards, sultry dark oak wood floors, and Dolomite marble bathrooms — some of the stylish suites even feature mica ceilings that dazzlingly reflect the sunlight, while others offer views practically into the neighboring Prado. 

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Retiro
• Distance From Airport: 10 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor
• Accessibility: Several room categories
• Rates: Start at $818

Rosewood Villa Magna

Tucked back from the leafy Paseo de la Castellana, the modern and elegant Rosewood Villa Magna offers travelers a charming, contemporary place to indulge and unwind in the heart of the city’s ritzy Salamanca district. Beloved for decades as Hotel Villa Magna, the property joined Rosewood Hotel Group in 2021. Since then, T+L readers have voted it the best hotel in Madrid two years in a row in our World’s Best Awards, citing its supremely central location (smack in the city’s luxury shopping mecca) and superlative wellness offerings at Sense spa as primary draws.

154 generously-sized rooms and suites feature colorful accent walls and bold, chevron-printed carpets, which are a refreshingly modern departure from some of the city’s more classically-designed hotels (but don’t worry — there’s still plenty of old-world charm throughout this list if that’s more your style). All rooms feature large windows that look out over the treetops, offering city views from higher floors. Families will be delighted by the rooftop “Houses,” ultra-luxe accommodations that can sleep up to six guests and feature terraces large enough to host events on.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Salamanca
• Distance From Airport: 7 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Platea Madrid, Lázaro Galdiano Museum, National Archaeological Museum
• Accessibility: Five adapted rooms
• Rates: Start at $696

Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid

Modern amenities meet 19th-century French aristocratic sensibility in this five-star hotel, which earned a place on our 2023 It List for its flamboyant decor and 49 antique furnished rooms spread across three sophisticated buildings. Formerly home to the Duke of Santo Mauro, the hotel showcases notable French influences in its design and architecture — yet many of the Lorenzo Castillo-designed suites feature unique textiles inspired by the Duke’s travels in India and China.

The former ballroom is a focal point, having been refurbished as a dramatically eclectic salon with crown molding and punchy patterned sofas fringed in bright blue trim. For a cozy bite, head to Rafa Peña’s intimate, upscale Spanish restaurant, which draws a well-heeled local crowd in the palace’s former library, which retains much of its original character.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Chamberí
• Distance From Airport: 6 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Sorolla Museum, Reina Sofia Museum, Temple of Debod
• Accessibility: Adapted rooms available
• Rates: Start at $670

The Westin Palace, Madrid

T+L readers voted The Westin Palace as a winner in our World’s Best Awards in 2023, deeming their plush beds some of the dreamiest around, and delighting in the Art Nouveau hotel’s prime location beside the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofia Museums in the city’s famed Art Walk. The 470-room property is a true Grand Dame hotel, commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912 and so embedded in the city’s cultural fabric of the last century that it’s home to a museum dedicated to its own history (a star-studded one, naturally — Dalí came here to draw, Madonna to vacation, and Hemingway set a scene from "The Sun Also Rises" at the bar).

The palatial property — which houses 470 light-filled rooms and one of the largest event spaces in the city — retains much of its original grandeur, thanks to architectural marvels like La Rotonda’s stained-glass cupola. Inside the Belle Époque rooms, guests will find calming yellow-toned wallpaper, parquet flooring, and the hotel’s sumptuous beds sheathed in crisp Frette linens, which invite a superb night’s sleep.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Las Letras
• Distance From Airport: 8 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Parliament, Royal Palace, Prado Museum, Reina Sofia Museum
• Accessibility: Adapted rooms available
• Rates: Start at $367

The Principal Madrid Hotel

Intimate and well-positioned on the Broadway-esque Gran Via, this five-star hotel is easy walking distance from expansive Retiro Park and the peachy-hued Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum. It’s a prime location for first-time visitors, and with just 76 rooms, it’s one of our go-to boutique properties in the city for warm, thoughtful service. Decor skews sleek and masculine, with shiny black-tile bathrooms and pops of purple and gold in the well-appointed bedrooms.

Above all, the true draw here is the hotel’s superb rooftop restaurant, Ático — helmed by chef Ramón Freixa, who has two Michelin stars under his belt — where you can tuck into a locavore tasting menu while savoring an excellent view of the iconic Metropolis building. The vistas don’t end there: head up to the solarium for a sunbathing session with the city as your backdrop, or stop by La Terrazza late into the evening, which draws a buzzy crowd of in-the-know visitors and trendy locals to the rooftop bar for craft cocktails.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Centro
• Distance From Airport: 6 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Plaza de Cibeles, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum,  Puerta de Alcalá, Retiro Park
• Accessibility: Adapted rooms available
• Rates: Start at $311

The Madrid EDITION

An enigmatic pink-washed hallway leads into the design wonderland of The Madrid Edition, a 200-room hotel whose 2022 opening was perhaps the most emblematic of the city’s refreshed appeal. A massive, undulating white slip of staircase delivers on hotelier Ian Schrager’s beloved brand of minimalist-modernism, while the hotel invites the sort of old-meets-new interplay of Baroque tapestries flanking futuristic pool tables.

Just off the Plaza de Celenque, Jéronimo (one of the hotel’s five dining concepts) draws you in with Luis Barragán-inspired pops of pink and a delectable Mexican menu from the minds of chef Enrique Olvera and Santiago Pérez (the powerhouses behind Mexico City’s Pujol, New York City’s Cosme, and Los Angeles’ Damian). The culinary delights run up to the roof, where an urban sanctuary serves up Peruvian bites; there’s also a spectacularly large infinity pool, where you can get your glow on before recharging in the candlelit spa. For unparalleled luxury, look to the two penthouse suites, each of which boast their own private pool.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Sol
• Distance From Airport: 7 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Descalzas Reales monastery, Puerta de Sol, Plaza Mayor, Golden Triangle, Gran Vía
• Accessibility: Adapted rooms available
• Rates: Start at $406

JW Marriott Hotel Madrid

Smack in the cultural and commercial heart of the city, JW Marriott’s first property in Spain debuted in 2023 and has been delighting visitors and residents ever since with its consistently excellent service, soothing color palette, and spacious rooms and suites. An easy walk from main sights like the Prado and Plaza Mayor, the hotel’s 127 rooms and 12 suites  — the latter of which feature exceptionally large terraces with optimal views — are a perfect place to base yourself for exploring and unwinding. Most rooms boast a private balcony, while all are tranquil havens decorated in neutral tones by Rockwell Group.

The property aims to inspire mindfulness, offering experiences to maximize your well-being at every turn, be it the brick-detailed fitness center and exclusive spa treatments or the celebrated cuisine at chef Mario Sandoval’s QÚ Restaurant.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Centro
• Distance From Airport: 9 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Puerta de Sol, Prado Museum, Plaza Mayor
• Accessibility: Adapted rooms available
• Rates: Start at $602

Relais & Châteaux Hotel Orfila

Immerse yourself in a piece of Madrid’s history with a stay in this 19th century palace, which offers just 32 rooms, suites, and villas. This is old-world charm on a truly intimate scale, with warm and eager service that will help you to feel instantly at home in your wallpapered abode. The staff here go above and beyond, greeting you by name and offering the sort of personal attention only smaller spaces can, but without ever feeling intrusive. Families will love how gladly staff will facilitate early dinner times (no need to fuss over finding food during Siesta) or babysitting services for younger children.

Our main gripe is that given the property’s historic layout, it’s unable to provide adequately accessible rooms for those with reduced mobility. However, the lauded garden restaurant, chef Mario Sandoval’s El Jardín, is accessible.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Chamberí
• Distance From Airport: 8 miles
• Nearby Attractions: National Museum of Romanticism, National Archaeological Museum, Retiro Park
• Accessibility: No
• Rates: Start at $434

Tótem Madrid, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World

Nestled near some of the city’s best shopping in smart Salamanca, this 65-room property lures chic clientele with an eye for detail. Distinction and design are the overarching principles here, with minimalist whitewashed digs offering bright spaces to rest and recharge in a quiet part of the neighborhood. But those looking to socialize needn’t worry — head straight to the roof to find a buzzy crowd of well-dressed locals sipping craft cocktails on velvet green loungers.

The property features over 300 eye-catching artworks, including tastefully framed black-and-white prints in the rooms. As part of its protected historical heritage, the designers painstakingly restored the property’s original pine staircase — an impressive feat, including beautiful iron fence work that’s easy to admire as you make your way home at night.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Salamanca
• Distance From Airport: 7 miles
• Nearby Attractions: National Archaeological Museum, Retiro Park, Puerta de Alcalá
• Accessibility: Two Deluxe Exterior rooms
• Rates: Start at $217

VP Plaza España Design

While rooftop bars and sun-drenched pools peek through Madrid’s treetops in abundance, few offer as superlative a vantage point as VP Plaza España Design, which is housed in a sleek 214-room skyscraper perched over its bustling namesake, the Plaza de España. The luxury hotel’s privileged position lures business travelers seeking sophisticated and stylish accommodations within walking distance of popular destinations like the nearby Templo de Debod and Royal Palace of Madrid. While the Wi-Fi is fast enough for all your Zoom needs, you may want to turn your camera off while working poolside (yes, it works up there, too). The spectacular rooftop is decidedly the property’s crowning jewel — head up there early to snag a spot at Ginkgo Sky Bar, a colorful collision of Asian and Spanish influences with frequent live music.

The property is also a leader in the neighborhood’s move towards sustainable tourism, and was one of the first hotels in the country to receive the LEED Gold Certificate rewarding its dedication to environmental consideration.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Centro
• Distance From Airport: 9 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Cerralbo Museum, Templo de Debod, Royal Palace of Madrid, Casa de Campo 
• Accessibility: Eight adapted rooms
• Rates: Start at $302

Only You Boutique Hotel Madrid

Elegant yet approachable, this award-winning design hotel — which bears the stylish mark of Spanish interior designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán — is centrally located to many of the city’s historic and cultural sights, as well as the trendy districts of Chueca and Malasaña, where cafés and nightlife are abundant.

While all the rooms are sun-soaked and spacious, there’s nothing quite like the two attic suites: both feature romantic sloped ceilings, exposed wooden beams,  and fabulous outdoor patios that are perfect for relishing your morning coffee. The largest of the two has its own library. Best of all, the property offers a flexible late check-out policy that allows you to enjoy your room for a full 24 hours even on one-night stays, so you can grab a book and kick back — you’ve got time.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Salesas
• Distance From Airport: 7 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Mercado de San Ildefonso, Retiro Park, Plaza del Dos de Mayo
• Accessibility: Deluxe rooms
• Rates: Start at $251

7 Islas

If you can spring for one of the penthouse rooms with a terrace at this family-run Malasaña gem, you won’t be sorry. Hammocks and yoga kits beckon on generous outdoor patios, while inside the rooms, chic Spanish artisanal touches abound — like handcrafted carpets from Gan Rugs and unique steel-and-leather bed frames made in collaboration with local designer Matías Carvia — all of which showcase the talents of Kikekeller’s studio, who redesigned the hotel.

The property was first opened in 2002, and is now run by the three granddaughters of the original founder; it’s a rare bird in that sense, offering a true family atmosphere to visitors who return year after year to this comfortable and well-curated abode. If you’re looking to explore the vibrant cafés, bars, and nightlife venues around the local Malasaña neighborhood, the staff will be glad to guide you in the right direction. While there’s plenty of art nearby — including the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art — there’s always something on at the hotel’s lobby gallery, 7i Art Gallery, a Berlin-inspired space with rotating collections featuring emerging artists.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Malasaña
• Distance From Airport: 7 miles
• Nearby Attractions: Mercado de San Ildefonso, Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art, Plaza del Dos de Mayo
• Accessibility: Across room categories
• Rates: Start at $115

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha

The Palacio de Atocha by CoolRooms offers some fittingly palatial suites, given that the 34-room property is housed in a 1852 palace that’s been reborn as a chic guesthouse. The impressively vaulted entrance gives a sense of the spacious interiors to come — at 22 feet high, it was initially designed to allow horse-drawn carriages to pass through into the palace; today, it leads into a discreet garden oasis, where you can dip into an aquamarine pool.

The suites here are some of the largest (and most reasonably priced) in the city, all sophisticated in their decor and largely done up in neutral tones with expansive leather headboards and Japanese-inspired bedside lanterns. For a next-level experience, consider either of the CoolSuites, which boast their own private terraces and outdoor jacuzzis overlooking the energetic Las Letras neighborhood below.

The Details:

• Neighborhood: Las Letras
• Distance From Airport: 9 miles
• Nearby Attractions: ICO Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Antón Martín Market
• Accessibility: Junior Suite
• Rates: Start at $237