Petit Palace Posada del Peine
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
Room Mate Alba
If you stay in the Literary Quarter—Madrid's most historic neighborhood— you might as well find a hotel on Calle de las Huertas, possibly the city's most beloved pedestrian street. Room Mate Alba lets you do just that while also occupying one of the district's most historic buildings. You'll find original details of this 17th-century property, including its authentic facade, staircase, and hallway with crown molding and floor tiling. Though the rooms bring a modern yet chic, boutique-hotel feel, the bathrooms bring you back in time with unique tiling and mirrors.
We love this hotel's location for its history, but it's also a central spot perfect for exploring Madrid. You'll be steps away from a neverending line of traditional tapas bars and artisan shops, plus within walking distance of sites like El Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and Puerta del Sol.
Though a standard hotel option, the rooms at Room Mate Alba feel like they border on luxury. Comfy beds, unique decor, bold colors, classy tiling, and spacious bathrooms pull it all together. You really feel like you're in Madrid's glamorous turn-of-the-century past. Grab a suite for even more comfort and space, though even the standard room categories deliver charming and comfy accommodations.
Enjoy a large and varied breakfast buffet in the morning, which lasts until noon for those wanting to sleep in a bit. You'll also find a cozy lounge with sofas and art, plus a beautiful wooden lobby bar and a spacious inner courtyard patio. Learn more
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Francisco I Boutique
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 when 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
Artrip Hotel
Artrip Hotel isn't your usual historic Madrid property. The hotel sits in a renovated building from 1900, so you surely get a sense of that time with a historic brick facade, charming inner courtyard, and iron balconies. The main staircase maintains its exposed brick, hardwood, and iron balusters, but the rest of the hotel exposes a different type of history. The rooms reflect a modern style of typical Madrid housing from the mid-century onward, so you'll truly stay like a local. Enjoy simple yet bright, airy, squeaky clean, and comfortable quarters. You won't find many frills in the rooms, but the value for the price is exceptional.
To increase its uniqueness, Artrip is also a little out of the touristic center and in the hip, up-and-coming Lavapies neighborhood on its main street, lined with tapas bars, international restaurants, and local shops. This location puts you in a more residential area to experience a more authentic part of the city. Yet, you'll still be within walking distance of many sites, including Atocha train station, El Rastro flea market (which takes place on Sundays), and El Retiro Park.
Some rooms have bunk beds (a great option for families); others feature wood-beamed ceilings and iron balconies with street views. Bathrooms are spacious and come with rainfall showerheads and wooden shower floors. As for amenities, you can enjoy a relatively extensive breakfast buffet each morning. But what we love most about Artrip Hotel is the staff, who guests consistently mention in the hotel's many 5-star reviews, and we agree with the praise. Learn more