The Principal Madrid
Stay in Gran Vía's very first five-star hotel. The Principal was built in 1917 and upheld the property's exclusivity and elegance. The entrance is surprisingly small, and that's because the lobby is accessible for guests only, keeping spaces private and exclusive.
The rooftop is one of the best in the city, offering views of Gran Vía and the Madrid skyline, plus sun loungers, a fountain, and a bar with occasional live music. Head down one floor to the Ático Restaurant, known for its gourmet menu and heated terrace directly across from one of the city's iconic sites: the Metrópolis dome. Other highlights include a spa, rooftop yoga classes, and cocktail-making workshops.
When not enjoying the hotel, you'll be within walking distance of sites like El Retiro Park, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor, plus some of the hippest neighborhoods, like the Literary Quarter, Chueca, and Malasaña. And as for the rooms, you'll find bright, modern quarters with timeless charm. Some face an inner courtyard, while others have Juliette balconies opening up to Gran Vía. Bathrooms are large and stylish, with black tiling and organic toiletries from Mallorca. Learn more
URSO Hotel & Spa
URSO Hotel & Spa is in the northern reaches of trendy Malasaña and Chueca neighborhoods. You might not be right on Gran Vía or next to El Retiro Park, but you can still walk to these sites and plenty more. As a trade-off, you'll be in a slightly quieter and local neighborhood to embrace your luxury hotel spa experience. And when you're ready to zip around the city, you'll have your choice of three nearby metro stops.
One thing we love about URSO Hotel & Spa is its unique history. Housed in a building from 1915—the former home of a paper company—you'll find original stained glass along the hotel's staircase, plus a renovated inner courtyard patio, marble floors, wood-lined walls, and tiling. This charm extends to the rooms, which feel like suites with seating areas, desks, a bright and comfy vibe, and marble bathrooms with tubs and robes. Some have four-poster beds, private terraces, leather sofas, and dining areas. As one of the best luxury, family-friendly hotels in Madrid, the property's two-bedroom, two-bathroom suites might be the perfect option if you're traveling with your entire crew.
We also love all the amenities provided at the property, which the hotel dubbed "The URSO Experience." Spend time at the spa, complete with treatments, an indoor pool, and a fitness center, or relax in the lobby bar for nightly piano evenings paired with glasses of champagne. You'll also find two restaurants on the property. The Greenhouse restaurant features a glass ceiling and bamboo garden, and the Half Portion Restaurant is a traditional Madrid bistro with a wine cellar. Learn more
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Gran Hotel Inglés
Gran Hotel Inglés offers comfort and history as the first luxury accommodation in Madrid, opening in 1886 on one of the city's first streets with electricity. Enjoy the Art Deco ambience in the lobby, with a cocktail and sherry bar designed by a Michelin-star chef, plus a beautiful breakfast buffet and afternoon tea service. The on-site restaurant, Casa Lobo, features a gourmet tapas menu and puts a spin on regional classics.
Choose from rooms and suites, all featuring decor styled by a New York design firm. Wood floors, iron light fixtures, and colorful art offer a sense of playful sophistication—perfectly suiting the hotel's history. Grab a suite if you'd like to add a seating area, desk, free-standing bathtub, or private terrace with an outdoor plunge pool. If you're looking for extra space, the hotel's royal suite is the largest hotel room available in the entirety of Madrid's historic city center.
The hotel describes itself as "hidden in Madrid," and we agree. Tucked away on a quiet side street of the romantic (and very historic) Literary Quarter, you get a central location without all the noise. This neighborhood is pedestrian-friendly and ideal for a tapear (tapas walk), as the Literary Quarter is lined with traditional taverns. You can also walk to many of the city's sites, including El Retiro Park and the Prado Museum, plus Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. Learn more
Hotel Villa Real
Enjoy a historical and picturesque location right on Plaza de las Cortes and within walking distance of sites like Neptune Fountain, El Retiro Park, and Puerta del Sol. Known as a "museum hotel," Villa Real features an art and archaeology collection you can enjoy in its common spaces. Peruse the Roman mosaics and statues, plus Apulian vessels from Magna Graecia. This exhibition is one of Spain's most important private collections.
Other amenities at the property include an extensive breakfast buffet in an elegant dining room downstairs. For other meals, you can dine at the on-site gastro bar, which features Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and traditional tapas and drinks on the terrace. Though not at the property, guests can access an outdoor terrace and pool two blocks away at Villa Real's sister property.
Choose from superior rooms and suites, all following the hotel's theme of timeless decor that channels the building's 19th-century history. Some overlook the plaza below, while others add private terraces with sun loungers. The family room is ideal for those traveling with their brood, as it sleeps up to four and has a split-level design. Learn more
Wellington Hotel & Spa
Enjoy your stay in Salamanca, one of the poshest neighborhoods in Madrid and within walking distance of sites like El Retiro Park, Prado Museum, and Gran Vía. It's a district filled with high-end shopping, luxury hotels, and fine dining—some of the most elegant eateries in the city. And though Wellington Hotel & Spa opened in 1952, it sits in a protected building, showcasing the city's architectural heritage. You can't help but notice its uniquely layered top-floor structure and iconic vintage signage.
Wellington Hotel & Spa is one of the few accommodations in Madrid with an outdoor pool. Relax with a swim, nap on a sun lounger, or sip a cocktail. Of course, the hotel also features a beautiful spa with a treatment menu, fitness center, Finnish sauna, hydrotherapy soaking pool, and Hammam. There are also three themed restaurants, two bars, and a bakery on site, plus options for Sunday brunch, a gourmet picnic basket, and English tea. Essentially, you never have to leave!
Rooms offer classy decor that strives to channel the building's past, though they can feel a little dark with heavy draping and slightly outdated dark-wood furnishings. If you'd like a sense of exclusivity, book a suite within the hotel's "Wellington Club" on the top floor with a private lounge, bar, outdoor terrace, breakfast service, cigar cellar, and library. Learn more
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