Madrid is an excellent choice for a family trip, as this diverse city offers plenty to see and do, plus a few accommodation options that don't require a splurge. Some of the best standard family-friendly hotels in Madrid are in our favorite walkable neighborhoods, meaning even shorter legs can enjoy all the sites. Our top picks are affordable, keep you centrally located, and still provide family-friendly amenities like breakfast buffets and cozy lounges.

Petit Palace Posada del Peine 

Family rooms with bunk beds (Photo courtesy of 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 400 years old and is the city's oldest boutique hotel. Enjoy being surrounded by buzzy cafés, tapas bars, and shops in a very active 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

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Francisco I Boutique

Spacious rooms with balconies and views (Photo courtesy of 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 a bit more space and seating areas, 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 and your family would like to sleep in (or just need more time to get ready), you can checkout as late as 2:00 pm as long as there's availability. 

As one of the best standard boutique hotels in Madrid, the property is in a prime location, almost directly between the Royal Palace and Puerta del Sol. You'll really be in the center of it all the moment you walk out of the hotel, just minutes from Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, and Gran Vía—the city's biggest attractions. Learn more

Artrip Hotel

Simple family rooms with bunk beds (Photo courtesy of Artip Hotel)

Artrip Hotel isn't your usual Madrid property. To start, it's a little out of the touristic center in the hip, up-and-coming Lavapies neighborhood on its main street, lined with tapas bars, international restaurants, and local shops. This unique location puts you in a more residential area to experience a more authentic part of the city. Still, you'll be within walking distance of many sites, including Atocha train station, El Rastro flea market (which takes place on Sundays), and El Retiro Park. And when you want to zip around the city, the metro is just a few blocks away.

The hotel sits in a renovated 20th-century building with a historic brick facade and iron balconies. The main staircase maintains its exposed brick, hardwood, and iron balusters, but the rooms reflect a modern style reflective of typical Madrid housing—so you really will stay as 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. 

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