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. Back then, the street was Calle del Lobo (Wolf Street), which is where the hotel's eatery, Casa Lobo, gets its name. The very well-known owner of Madrid's famous Cafe Inglés (Don Agustín Ibarra) is who purchased the building that now houses the hotel.
Known in the 19th century as "one of the best hotels in the world," Gran Hotel Inglés was praised for its posh amenities, which included an elevator, bathrooms on each floor, electric lighting, and steam heating. The owner acquired the hotel's furnishing from New York, but today, you'll find additional decor from around the world that upholds the property's Belle Époque beginnings. 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.
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. 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
URSO Hotel & Spa
Set 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, URSO Hotel & Spa is in a slightly quieter and local neighborhood to embrace your luxury hotel spa experience. And when you do want to zip around the city, you'll have your choice of three nearby metro stops.
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. Because it was the only company producing paper in Spain, the hotel decided to completely preserve its library, where important documents were kept. It's an unchanged, entirely authentic nook of the hotel that you can enjoy at any time.
Besides the building's history, you'll find other unique charms that pay homage to the past, such as the photo display showcasing the city from the 1920s to the 1940s and violet candies that King Alfonso XIII loved. Don't forget to admire the facade, too, which features regal elements from Madrid's 20th-century bourgeois architecture.
This historic 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. The two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite might be the perfect option if you're traveling with your family.
We also love all the amenities you can enjoy 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-site, The Greenhouse, with its glass ceiling and bamboo garden, and Half Portion Restaurant, a traditional Madrid bistro with a wine cellar. Learn more
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Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid
MID-RANGE
It doesn't get more historic than staying directly on Plaza Mayor, but Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid somehow does it. This is one of Madrid's best mid-range historical hotels because it occupies part of the famous square's perimeter, giving the property over 400 years of history. The hotel occupies two buildings, an old fire station and the 17th-century Casa de la Carnicería, possibly built in 1632 and functioning as a meat-packing facility. Part of the hotel's wall is truly original, and you'll find nods to its location's past inside, including decor that pays homage to the craftspeople who sold their goods on the square.
Unsurprisingly, the views of the city's most famous square are incredible. You can enjoy them from your room (if you request one with plaza views), the large library lounge, the outdoor terrace on the square, or the rooftop terrace. Even the standard rooms feel bright, colorful, and plush, though the bathrooms are small, with a sink inside the bedroom. We recommend a slight upgrade to a superior room or higher category for a bit more space. Suites add nice perks like soaking tubs, sofas, and exposed brick walls.
There's a lot to keep you busy at Pestana Plaza Mayor. To start, enjoy your daily breakfast in the airy inner courtyard, which feels more like a garden terrace. Then head to the spa with its indoor pool, splashing among preserved arches and buttresses. If you prefer to swim outside, there's also a rooftop pool and lounge overlooking the historic skyline. When hungry, grab a meal at the on-site restaurant or lobby bar. Learn more
Only You Boutique Hotel
MID-RANGE
This hotel has won several international design awards, and the moment you step into the lobby, you'll understand why. This might be Madrid's coolest boutique hotel, a 19th-century mansion converted into a stylish, hip, and eclectic accommodation that feels like its own city with so many eateries and common spaces. For example, the lounge was once the old Padrino bookshop, and the property held onto that cozy past with bookshelves, sofas, and a grand fireplace.
The rooms at Only YOU Boutique Hotel definitely match the property's colorful, bold, and eclectic style. You'll find 10 room categories, all offering bright and spacious units with large bathrooms. Some have iron balconies overlooking the neighborhood, while the loft category features sloping wood-beamed ceilings. Upgrade to superb rooms or suites to add fireplaces, separate living rooms, private terraces, libraries, and even the option for multi-level units.
The hotel comes with a little bit of everything, including a Thai spa and four eateries offering different menus and ambience. Celicioso is the on-site gluten-free restaurant (popular with the locals at lunch), whereas the YOUnique Restaurant puts a spin on classic regional dishes and offers an extensive drink menu. Head to cozy El Padrino for tapas and craft beer, and hang out in the colorful YOUnique Lounge with a light snack and drink. Learn more
Petit Palace Posada del Peine
STANDARD
Petite Palace Posada del Peine offers an affordable option nearly on Plaza Mayor, as you can see one of the square's arched entrances right in front of you as you leave the hotel. Plus, the property is over 400 years old and is the city's oldest boutique hotel. Established in 1610, the inn occupies three different buildings with all facades perfectly preserved. Two facades received upgrades in the late 18th century, and a third floor was added in 1863. It wasn't until 1892 that the property received its famous clock, a year when many historical buildings obtained adornments.
During your stay, take your time to enjoy the hotel's exterior, with its bright colors and historical details. You'll find old signage and original decor, which you can admire while being surrounded by buzzy cafés, tapas bars, and shops in a very energetic part of Madrid. You'll also be within walking distance of sites like Puerta del Sol, the Royal Palace, and Gran Vía.
As a Petit Palace property, you'll find a similar aesthetic to the brand's other locations, with small, simple rooms that are clean and comfy. Double and family rooms include desks; some are split-level or have balconies with views of the bustling street below. Family rooms have bunk beds and can sleep up to six people, but those rooms kind of give off a hostel-room vibe. Still, they're a great option for families or small groups.
The hotel serves a pretty decent breakfast buffet in the dining area, offering a historic vibe with exposed brick walls. Besides the usual selection of cold cuts, cheese, fruits, and pastries, you can also create your own granola or salad bowl. The hotel offers bike rentals if you'd like to cycle while exploring the city. Learn more
Francisco I Boutique
STANDARD
Right on Calle del Arenal (a popular pedestrian street) and not far from the famous Chocolatería San Ginés, Francisco I Boutique Hotel is stylish and comfy. Rooms are bright and colorful, with decorative nods to the building's historical past, including exposed brick, wood-beamed ceilings, arched windows, and iron balconies. Book a suite or family room for more space and seating, or choose a deluxe top-floor room for a private terrace.
You'll enjoy a daily breakfast buffet downstairs in the beautiful inner courtyard, though you can always opt for "breakfast in bed" with a morning delivery to your room. Relax in the spacious bar/lounge on the ground floor, or find one of the other little lounges hidden in the corners of each floor. If you'd like to sleep in, you can check out as late as 2:00 pm if available.
Almost directly between the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol, the hotel is in a prime location and an important part of the city's history. This stretch is where counts, dukes, and bourgeois made their homes and entertainment, including in the hotel's original building. But in the 19th century, the property transformed into the Eslava Theatre, reopening as a club in 1981 and functioning today as a hotel. Learn more