Madrid is a city filled with a fascinating and varied history. To make your travels into Spain's past a bit more unique, you can stay at one of Madrid's historic hotels. We love this lodging category because you'll find several options for mid-range budgets while still getting those unique perks, like historical buildings, boutique properties, on-site eateries, and outdoor pools.

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha

Enjoy the original historical charms (Photo courtesy of CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha)

CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha is aptly named, as it's a hip upgrade to a 19th-century palace house. The building was established in 1852, and the hotel preserved some charming original elements, such as the main iron staircase, decorative ceiling and wall moldings, frescoes, chandeliers, archways, and other ironwork. The location adds to the coolness, as you'll be just down the street from Antón Martín Market, a great place to try a few authentic bites and watch locals truly do their daily shopping. You'll also be within walking distance of numerous other sites, like the uber-historic Literary Quarter, Royal Palace, Catedral de la Almudena, and Puerta del Sol.

Choose from six room types, all with a bright, airy, and minimalist feel, plus spacious bathrooms with stylish tiling. You'll enjoy light-wood flooring, walls, vintage paneling, lighting, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Upgrade to a suite if you want to feel like you live here—they're huge! Some suites offer soaking tubs, living rooms, separate bedrooms, and private terraces.

The on-site restaurant serves breakfast in the dining room or on the beautiful outdoor covered patio. The inner courtyard also features an outdoor pool and lounge with a fountain and lots of plants. Sneak into the cozy lounge bar for a nightcap or hang out in the open-air lounge across from the reception. Learn more

Hotel Vincci The Mint

Vintage food truck on the rooftop (Photo courtesy of Hotel Vincci The Mint)

Bright, bold, and vintage, Hotel Vincci The Mint is one of the best mid-range hotels in Madrid and a great choice directly on Gran Vía. Channeling the famous avenue's glamorous past, the hotel feels like a glitzy step back in time. Using a 19th-century palace, the hotel's designer Jaime Beristain made sure to preserve numerous historical elements, including furnishing, floor tiles, lighting, ceiling molding, and more. Upon entry, you're greeted by bright-green shelving, wooden floors, and an incredible chandelier, all leading you down the hall to the reception. 

Enjoy the lobby bar (serving drinks even at check-in), cozy lounge, or a rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy snacks and drinks from a food truck. If you're a soccer fan, the bar also promises to play all the big games. All rooms, even those in the standard category, offer a comfortable, bright, and stylish atmosphere. The bathrooms are large with elegant gold fixtures and showers, though the suites have options for tubs. If you truly want to take in the property's glam, choose a suite offering private terraces and cozy sofas.

We love the hotel's fun aesthetic, but we're also fans of its location on Gran Vía, typically reserved for luxury properties. You'll be just a few blocks from the Círculo de Bellas Artes and Neptune Fountain, plus within walking distance of other major sites, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Royal Palace. Learn more

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Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid

Rooms right on Plaza Mayor (Photo courtesy of Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid)

It doesn't get more historic than staying directly on Plaza Mayor, but Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid somehow does it. This is one of the best mid-range historical hotels in Madrid 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 restaurant or lobby bar. Learn more

Only You Boutique Hotel

Boutique hotel combining several historical buildings (Photo courtesy of Only You Boutique Hotel)

Only You Boutique 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 Libreria bookshop, and the property held onto that cozy past with bookshelves, sofas, and a grand fireplace. Of course, you can't miss the bookstore's original ironwork facade and its old shelves filled with books, plus other nods to the past, such as original window frames, floor tiles, iron reception and staircases, and lighting.

The rooms at Only YOU Boutique Hotel definitely match the property's colorful, bold, and eclectic style. You'll find ten 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-levels. 

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