Best Hotels in Madrid

In general the most practical and attractive area to stay in Madrid is the central district. This district is made up of several areas with their own personality that differentiates them from each other. In addition to the centre there are other areas that are very convenient and sometimes even more attractive depending on the visitor’s profile. Here are the best hotels in Madrid.

Hotel Urban Madrid

Hotel Urban is easily the hippest 5-star hotel in Madrid with its huge glass chrome structure and pieces from Papua New Guinea. Its style incorporates Art Deco and history elements. Here you’ll see ancestral figures and spirit pillars made of wood and stone. Among their facilities are a mini gym, sauna, rooftop pool, and a museum in the basement with more artifacts from Papua New Guinea. Their minimalist rooms look very classy, with their neutral tones and vivid textures influenced by countries from all over the world. All of the bathrooms offer rain showers in Guatemalan marble, and a few have full bathtubs. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean cuisine in their Cebo Restaurant, as well as cocktails, champagne, and tapas in their Glass Bar that dips below the ground. They even offer a kid’s menu, connected rooms, and childcare services. This truly makes a great accommodation for families and tourists interested in history.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 87 77 70

Hotel Ritz Madrid

Found at the center of Retiro district, The Ritz is the most luxurious of them all. Its 5-star halls are frequented by visiting aristocracy, celebrities, and dignitaries. The old but grand 1910 structure was renovated to now hold its 125 units and 42 large suits, all of which are decorated uniquely from the rest. Some rooms are great for families, with small cots, connected unites, childcare services and small bathrobes. Most rooms are decorated with art, antiques, silks, and chandeliers. Certain rooms have terraces for viewing the beautiful hotel garden. The Ritz also offers a gym, spa, and a Goya restaurant on its grounds. Sunday brunch at this restaurant is a must-try. Tourists can also easily go to the nearby Retiro park, and Madrid’s most famous art galleries in its “Golden Triangle.”

Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 01 67 67

Westin Palace

The Westin Palace is a top class hotel containing 467 rooms. Its structure was built by order of the king over a century ago. It is also conveniently located close to Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Prado. Every room is classically and beautifully furnished in mahogany and antiques. Custom beds and marble bathrooms are in order, and children’s cots are available for rental. Try booking a room at the corner of the building, such that it overlooks Plaza de Neptuno. Guests can also enjoy the hotel spa, sauna, and gym, as well as their multilingual staff. Dining in the Rotonda is its own experience, as you’ll be dining or brunching in a dome of stained glass. The hotel location offers even more variety, with bistros, tapas, and Asian cuisine being served at the three other restaurants in their area. The La Latina nightlife and “Golden Triangle” art museums are also quite close.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 913 60 80 00

Hotel Único Madrid

Located within the high class Salamanca neighborhood, this hotel is all elegant and dramatic design against Michelin-starred cuisine and 19th century architecture. Among Madrid’s exclusive neighborhood, Único’s 44 rooms are furnished in monochrome palettes and wooden panels. Their suites also offer marble bathrooms with toiletries from Gilbert and Soames, plus quaint balconies. Guests here can enjoy their peaceful garden, library, and basement gym. Their on-site restaurant is Romon Freixa’s double Michelin-starred attraction for those willing to spend on delightful dishes. The hotel is also considerably accommodating to families, with deluxe rooms offering free cots for kids younger than 11, as well as childcare services. Tourists can easily walk to several popular spots, such as Retiro Park and the Prado nearby, full of dining and shopping.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 81 01 73

URSO Hotel & Spa

If you’re looking for a superb spa, go to URSO Hotel. Their ambience is that of an urban oasis, and is compact as a boutique hotel. Their 78 rooms are furnished in Japanese prints against neutral tones, and are full of natural light from the large windows. Guests may request for children’s cots as well. Each room also offers a marble bathroom holding custom toiletries. The hotel also has excellent and professional service. Buffet breakfast at The Conservatory is offered for guests, and the modern Urso Bar serves innovative cocktails and light meals. Media Racion is great for tasting some local flavors. Their spa, Natura Bisse, is one of the best in Madrid, offering a sauna, steamroom, hydromassages, and plenty of treatments to enjoy. The hotel is also located close to Chueca and Malasaña, where one can enjoy the evening parties and dining.

gran meliá palacio de los duques booking: +34 914 44 44 58

Gran Meliá Palacio de Los Duques

This accommodation at Madrid’s center was once a duke’s palace back in the 19th century, full of opulence and prestige. Now, in modern times, it has been remodeled to accommodate luxury, design, and cuisine. The hotel’s palette sports golds, champagnes, midnight blues, and charcoal grays. A Velazquez style is consistent in the hotel hallways, with reproduction paintings hanging in every room. Guests are offered three amazing restaurants to try out: Coroa, great for the breakfast buffet and in-between meals; Dos Cielos, which offers Madrilño and Catalan dishes; and Montmartre, a pleasant bistro for dining. During the summer, guests can enjoy their drinks in the garden courtyard. The hotel facilities include a Thai-styled spa housing a gym, sauna, and steam room as well as a rooftop pool. All these options are very attractive for those searching for a wedding and honeymoon destination. Some nearby attractions are Gran Via and Sol’s shopping and dining areas, and the Royal palace.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 912 76 47 47

Barceló Emperatriz

This gorgeously-styled hotel is found in the classy Salamanca district, among plenty of fashion boutiques. Its aesthetic is inspired by Eugenia de Montijo, the empress back in the 19th century. You’ll see the hotel halls accented by metalwork, vibrant upholstery, marble, and glass sculptures showing Violeta sweets. The color scheme is primarily violet. Their rooms offer memory foam mattresses, high-quality Philipps speaker systems, gentle rain showers, and special toiletries from Agua de Loewe served in their marble bathrooms. Their facilities include a rooftop pool, a gym, and a salon offering massages aside from their hairdressing. These salon services can be availed of within guest rooms. The hotel also houses wonderful cuisine, such as a huge breakfast buffet, cocktails from a Eugenie bar, and Mediterranean food from their restaurant. All this topped with excellent service from their multilingual staff. Some nearby attractions are the Sorollo Museum and shopping areas.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 913 42 24 90

Hotel Hospes Puerta Alcalá

This hotel overlooks its namesake Alcalá Gate and lies across Retiro park. It is a great business and luxury accommodation that houses a wonderful spa, 37 rooms, 5 suits, and lots of dining and cocktail options. All their units are decorated in cream and neutral tones, giving it a classy ambience. They also offer Korres toiletries and rain showers, with some housing bathtubs. Their Independencia restaurant offers innovative Mediterranean cuisine aside from tapas. Their cozy bar has a great selection of wine, champagne, and cocktails. Their Bodyna spa is furnished with stone-carved arches, a hammam, and a pool, making it a pride of the hotel. The hotel is also located in proximity to Salamanca, where guests can dine, shop, and visit museums.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 914 32 29 11

Hotel Villa Magna

Although appearing plain from the exterior, this hotel’s interior is a contemporary and boldly-designed mix of antiques and modern art. Their guest rooms are furnished with purple and gray wood panels, complemented by lamps in Art Deco-style, conveniences, and classy marble bathrooms. It is a very family-friendly hotel also. Their service offers small cots for kids, and playpens, menus, and games in the vibrant common areas. There are even three great restaurants on the hotel grounds: Restaurante Villa Magna, an upscale, fine dining bistro; The Lounge, best for cocktails and light meals; and Tse Yang, where you can enjoy dimsum and Cantonese flavors. The hotel also houses a wonderful spa full of treatments, a steam room, and a sauna. Conveniently nearby are some designer boutiques, more restaurants, and popular tourist spots.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 87 12 34

Posada del León de Oro

This little hotel used to be a coaching in back in the 12th century. It is located on Cava Baja, a street of tapas bars and one of the oldest areas of the city. The building underwent restoration in order to maintain its original structures, but some remains of its original wall can be seen under the glass restaurant floor. They have 17 broad rooms each designed in a hip fashion: chrome walls, wooden beams, cityscape mural prints and playful wallpapers. Guests can enjoy traditional flavors at their restaurant, especially their garbanzo bean stew, along with lots of vegetarian meals. Their service is friendly and personalized. The hotel location is also convenient for checking out the museums, restos, and nightlife of La Latina and Sol.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 911 19 14 94

Posada del Dragón

Located a few blocks from Plaza Mayor, this hotel sits smartly at the center of plenty of restaurants, bars, and museums. This 3-star bed and breakfast was designed from what was once a grain store back in the 16th century. It was also an inn back in the 19th century, before becoming the hip and modern boutique hotel it is now. Their vibrant palette is composed of azure, mustard yellow, lime-green, and crimson. Each room is styled uniquely, but are furnished simply with Moorish alcoves, flat screen TVs, vintage telephones, and memory foam mattresses. If your room is at the front of the building, you’ll find it wider and brighter, but prone to street sounds. There aren’t many amenities here, but their ground floor houses a great tapas bar. They also have friendly yet professional service.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 911 19 14 24

Only You Boutique Hotel

This boutique hotel is restricted to adults only, but it is indeed a fabulous accommodation located in the Chueca district. The decor easily blends contemporary with historic, using its 19th century structure to house large lamps, coffee table books, and retro sofas. The redesigning was accomplished by Lázaro Rosa-Violán, a designer based in Barcelona. The guest rooms have their own quirks, such as bathrooms with giraffe prints, old Madrid maps, and neat rain showers and navy walls. Guests can reserve the Only You room, which is a private balcony. Their restaurant is accompanied by a classy bar that serves cocktails and other drinks, although there are plenty more choices just nearby. Only You offers 24-hour facilities and services, such as their gym and check-in times. This is ideal for busy travelers and nightowls, who might also want to check out the fashion boutiques, clubs, attractions, and bars in Malasaña and Chueca.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 910 05 27 46

ME Madrid Reina Victoria

This hotel is great for guests looking for a buzz and a party. It offers a great view of Plaza Santa Ana, a hotspot for tapas bars, as well as its own rooftop bar and DJ. Once an old-style luxury hotel frequented by bullfighters, the Reina Victoria was redecorated to accommodate bright woods, purple accents, and Scandinavian design. Each room comes with hydromassage showers, comfortable beds, iPod docks, and even hangover kits for the true party guests. Suites are also equipped with Nespresso machines and Wii consoles. On-site amenities include a spa and gym. The nearby bars and restaurants include: the Ana La Santa, great for international flavors; Plaza Santa Ana full of restos and bars; and the popular Radio bar, which offers fun cocktails. The hotel itself can be found in Huertas, just a stone’s throw away from some art museums, the Prado, and La Latina’s nightlife.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 912 76 47 47

Hotel Orfila

This little boutique hotel was once a mansion built from the 19th century. Their lobby was once a theater stage almost a century ago. Located on Alonso Martinez, a residential area, their 32 rooms are wide and styled in traditional heavy drapes and upholstered beds. Each room also offers fun amenities, such as iPod docks, flat screens, toiletries from Relais & Chateaux, couple sinks, and hydromassage bathtubs. They also offer professional service, with extremely helpful staff members. Guests can enjoy the other hotel facilities, among which are a tranquil garden, a rooftop viewing deck, and their restaurant — Jardin de Orfila, which specializes in seasonal dishes. Guests of this hotel can easily check out the Golden Triangle of museums, as well as shop in Goya and Serrano. They vibrant restaurants and bars of Chueca are nearby too.

Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 02 77 70

Barrio de Las Letras and Huertas

On the north of Calle de las Huertas is Barrio de Las Letras. This place is named after their historical writer residents, like Lope de Vega and Cervantes. Restaurants around here are more classy and upscale, and so are their accommodations, even around Paseo del Prado. Just a short walk away is Retiro Park, and Atocha, one of the train stations of Madrid. Huertas, on the other hand, lies at the heart of the Golden Triangle and west of Paseo del Prado. Because of its location, tourists here can easily visit the art galleries of the Golden Triangle. Huertas is also named after Calle de las Huertas, the main street that comes alive at night and in its restos. The smaller streets around it are equally full of restos, bars, delis, boutiques, jazz clubs, and boutique hotels. Its Plaza Santa Ana is also a great place for tapas bar hopping.

Barrio de Las Letras and Huertas’ Top Hotels

Hotel Ritz Madrid • Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 01 67 67

Hotel Urban Madrid • Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 87 77 70

ME Madrid Reina Victoria • Hotel Contact Number: +34 912 76 47 47

NH Collection Palacio de Tepa • Hotel Contact Number: +34 916 00 81 46

Westin Palace • Hotel Contact Number: +34 913 60 80 00

Barrio de Las Letras and Huertas’ Top Restaurants

El Inti de Oro • Peruvian cuisine, pisco cocktails, and casual dining.

La Cabaña Argentina • An Argentinian steakhouse with excellent service and wine selection. Book a reservation beforehand.

Piccolo Diavolo • An upscale pizza house great for families. Taste their calzones, local delicacies, and Neapolitan pizzas. Watch out for their crowded evenings.

Rayén Vegano • Homemade, casual, 100% organic, yet buzzy. Great for vegans and gluten-free diners. Book ahead, since this is a popular resto.

Vinoteca Moratin • Intimate and upscale, enjoy their vast wine selection and modern Spanish flavors.

Gran Vía and Sol

Gran Via is a vast shopping district bordered by buildings with plenty of history. Here, you can find branches of Zara and Mango. A little way from here is Plaza Mayor, Madrid’s main quadrangle. There are plenty of hotel options in Sol, such as the several luxury hotels, hostels, and petite boutique hotels. Another advantage of this area is its dining and bar scene, which ranges from the trendy diner joints to its classic historical restos. There are also plenty of souvenir shops, but it’s better to check out the local crafts shops. Sol, on the south of Gran Via, is the most central area of Madrid, found on its Kilometer Zero. It is also at the center of the Iberian Peninsula. It is also well connected by metro to everywhere else in Madrid, making it easy for any tourist to see the popular attractions. Among these would be the Golden Triangle of museums, and the Royal Palace.

Gran Vía and Sol’s Top Hotels

Gran Meliá Palacio de Los Duques • Hotel Contact Number: +34 912 76 47 47

Hotel Meninas • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 41 28 05

Hotel Quatro Puerta del Sol • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 32 90 49

The Principal • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 21 87 43

Vincci Vía 66 • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 50 42 99

Gran Vía and Sol’s Top Restaurants

Chocolatería San Ginés • Come here for their quintessential churros and hot chocolate. Weekends usually end up with very long lines, so we recommend you pass by on weekdays.

Desengaño 13 • Reserve ahead to enjoy their Spanish gourmet and intimate ambience.

El Corte Inglés Callao Gourmet Experience • A food court offering a vast variety of cocktails, burgers, tapas, oysters, and other Mexican street food. Their sunset views are sublime, so grab one early.

La Paella de la Reina • This classic arroceria specializes in rice dishes, a comfortable ambience, and professional service. Most dishes here are for sharing.

Sobrino del Botín • Book ahead for this historic and classic old restaurant, and make sure to try their lamb dishes and sucking pig.

Lavapiés and La Latina

Lavapies’ locals are actually mostly immigrants, making it an interesting melting pot of diverse cuisine, nightlife, and bars. Staying here means staying near Retiro Park and certain art galleries. Located on Sol’s south border and Lacapies’ west, La Latina shows off a quaint collection of petite streets accented by historical churches, 18th century architecture, and tiny but bustling plazas. It is also the oldest area of Madrid. La Latina presents a beautiful area not just for El Rastro, its huge Sunday flea market, but also Calle la Cava, a street of numerous tapas bars for trying local flavors at. Luxury hotels are rare here, but they have some great hostels and boutique hotels for guests. The city’s most popular attractions are also accessible from La Latina.

Lavapiés and La Latina’s Top Hotels

Palacio Plaza Conde Miranda • Hotel Contact Number: +34 900 373 978

Petit Palace Posada del Peine • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 23 81 51

Posada del Dragón • Hotel Contact Number: +34 911 19 14 24

Posada del León de Oro Boutique Hotel • Hotel Contact Number: +34 911 19 14 94

Lavapiés and La Latina’s Top Restaurants

La Berenjena • Near the Atocha station, enjoy their sit-down meals, tapas, and friendly yet professional service.

La Chata • Decorated with bullfighting mementos, this classic bar serves tapas, stews, and gets full fast come evening.

La Perejila • Limited seating and full with locals, but worth the effort for their tapas, sandwiches, and delicious Spanish cuisine.

Moharaj • A popular Indian resto boasting delicious curry. Found on the “Curry Mile” in Lavapiés.

Txirimiri • Stand at their bar and enjoy their excellent tapas, open sandwiches (pinxos), and wines from basque.

Malasaña and Chueca

Malasaña and Chueca are twin barrios on the north side of Gran Via. On Malasaña’s east is Chueca, and on its west is Calle de la Princesa. It is also a great area for nightlife and all the latest trends. When the counterculture movement started by General Franco’s death, the La Movido Madrileña, began in late 1970, Malasaña was in the center of it all. This appeared in its streets through graffiti, experimental art, vintage rock, recreational drugs, and the beginning of sexual liberation. Most of these are still around and frequented, but the less safe areas were rebuilt to accommodate tattoo parlors, trendy restos and cafes, cocktail bars, and indie boutiques. Chueca, in turn, is situated on the east of Salamanca, with Calle Hotaleza at its heart. This place is considered the gay neighborhood of Madrid. It boasts great gourmet markets, trendy restos, cocktail bars, and its nightlife, which goes from dusk til dawn. Accommodations include boutique hotels, which are a stone’s throw away from the city’s popular tourist spots.

Malasaña and Chueca’s Top Hotels

Dear Hotel Madrid • Hotel Contact Number: +34 914 12 32 00

Eric Vökel Boutique Apartments • Hotel Contact Number: +34 934 33 46 31

Only You Boutique Hotel • Hotel Contact Number: +34 910 05 27 46

URSO Hotel & Spa • Hotel Contact Number: +34 914 44 44 58

Vincci The Mint • Hotel Contact Number: +34 912 03 06 50

Malasaña and Chueca’s Top Restaurants

Goiko Grill – A popular spot for the youth, they serve great craft beer and gourmet burgers.

Mad Grill – A great place for families and meat-lovers. This diner serves great meat like pulled pork, burgers, and ribs.

Mercado San Anton – This resto is actually a market for gourmet food. Taste their local beers, tapas, and fois-gras burgers.

La Tasquita de Enfrente • • Run by a family and quite popular, be sure to book ahead. The ambience is elegant yet intimate, complementing a Spanish seasonal menu.

Ojalá – Trendy, excessive, and styled to feel like a beach. Come here to enjoy their Mexican tacos, detox salads, Vietnamese baguettes, and mac & cheese.

Salamanca

Comparable to the Upper East Side of New York, Salamanca is an exclusive and high scale neighborhood on the north side of Retiro Park. It contains two streets, Serrano and Velazquez, which are parallel to each other and are known for their fashion designer brands. Here, one can find Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Gucci, Prada, as well as Zara’s main store.

Even jewelry designers can be found here: Cartier, Suarez, Rabat, and Tous. The other streets of this area are full of gourmet delis, some Michelin-starred restos, clubs, and wine bars. Around are some 19th century architecture as well. The nightlife here, although not as loud as central Madrid, is still worth partaking in. Although Salamanca is not as close to the city’s main tourist spots, tourists need only to take the metro.

The attractions that are accessible however, include Retiro Park, National Archaeological Museum, as well as the Golden Triangle.Lavapiés and LaComparable to the Upper East Side of New York, Salamanca is an exclusive and high scale neighborhood on the north side of Retiro Park. It contains two streets, Serrano and Velazquez, which are parallel to each other and are known for their fashion designer brands.

Here, one can find Louis Vuitton, Loewe, Gucci, Prada, as well as Zara’s main store. Even jewelry designers can be found here: Cartier, Suarez, Rabat, and Tous. The other streets of this area are full of gourmet delis, some Michelin-starred restos, clubs, and wine bars. Around are some 19th century architecture as well.

The nightlife here, although not as loud as central Madrid, is still worth partaking in. Although Salamanca is not as close to the city’s main tourist spots, tourists need only to take the metro. The attractions that are accessible however, include Retiro Park, National Archaeological Museum, as well as the Golden Triangle.

Salamanca’s Top Hotels

Barceló Emperatriz • Hotel Contact Number: +34 913 42 24 90

Hotel Hospes Puerta de Alcalá • Hotel Contact Number: +34 914 32 29 11

Hotel Único Madrid • Hotel Contact Number: +34 917 81 01 73

Hotel Villa Magna • Hotel Contact Number: +34 915 87 12 34

TÓTEM Madrid • Hotel Contact Number: +34 914 26 00 35

Salamanca’s Top Restaurants

Kabuki Wellington – Minimalist styles complementing fine Japanese cuisine.

La Maruca – Specializes in Cantabrian food, and popular with the professional youth.

Punto MX – Michelin-starred and upscale, taste their Mexican dishes and mescal cocktails served in a classy basement.

Ramón Freixa Madrid – Boasts a double Michelin star. Full of innovative dishes by its namesake chef. Their menu changes by the season and reservations are required.

Shalakabula – Informal but classy, enjoy their Spanish-Asian fusions.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO MADRID

Best Areas To Stay in Madrid

Top neighborhoods for tourists: Chueca & Malasaña (houses clubs, bars, modern restaurants, and easy to get around); Gran Vía (gives easy access to popular attractions, a well as shopping and dining); Huertas & Barrio Las Letras (allows proximity to the famous art galleries of the “Golden Triangle”, with great restaurants around); Salamanca (easy to dine and shop from, and near Retiro park); and Sol & La Latina & Lavapiés (full of vibrant nightlife, tapas, and main attractions).

Be sure to request a non-smoking unit in Madrid hotels if you find tobacco unpleasant, since Madrid hotels allow smoking. When it comes to restaurants and bars, though, smoking is usually prohibited inside. If you wish to smoke, there is often an outdoor balcony.

Where To Eat in Madrid

Madrid is full of delicious cuisine, and is famed for its Spanish tapas. Madrid is home to some of the most delicious tapas in Spain, second only to San Sebastian and certain areas in Andalusia. A great way to enjoy tapas is by hopping between tapas bars, which is best done in Huertas and La Latina. Madrid restaurants are also a combination of Michelin-starred cuisine, and Japanese, Italian, Mexican, and Peruvian combinations of flavors. It is also quite easy for vegans and vegetarians to find their fill.

Getting Around Madrid

The central area of Madrid is very pedestrian-friendly. Walking is actually faster for most short distances, compared to taking the metro. Taking the metro is no problem, either. Madrid boasts an excellent transportation system that reaches almost every point of Madrid.

Between most stops, a one-way trip only costs €1.50. A trip going toward the airport by Metro is around €4.50. If you foresee yourself using the Metro more often though, consider taking advantage of a 10-way ticket, which is cheaper than 10 individual tickets total. Chamartin and Atocha, Madrid’s train stations, are connected to metro terminals. To make route-planning easier, you can try the app Citymapper.

The transportation system starts around 6 am and ends around 11:30 pm, but there are late-night buses around often. Taxis are more expensive than hiring an Uber, but taxi drivers are more familiar with the city. Driving a private car around the city is not the best option because of the many one-way roads and streets.

Madrid is awake all hours of the day. Most restaurants only open at 8:30 pm, with diners happily coming in later in the night. Nightclubs are up from midnight to sunrise. If you’re an early bird, you won’t get much of the nightlife, but you will find a table much more easily.