Only YOU Boutique Hotel, Madrid

Pros

• You'll get to enjoy the trendy and youthful neighborhood of Chueca while still being within walking distance of Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and El Retiro Park.
• The renovated 19th-century mansion has won numerous international awards for its design.
• Choose between 10 unique room types, all full of thoughtful details like Nespresso machines, iPhone docking stations, and plush robes and slippers.
• You can sip cocktails in the old Padrino bookshop, a museum-like space with plush sofas, antique books, and a fireplace, or stay gluten-free at the popular Celicioso restaurant.
• The hotel guarantees a 24-hour stay, so the room and property are yours for a full day and night from the time you check in. 

Cons

• Because the hotel's restaurants are so popular with locals and visitors alike, they can feel a little busy at times. 

Authenticity

Only YOU Boutique Hotel's 19th-century mansion once belonged to a marquesa, and its elegant bones are still on display in the form of soaring ceilings, intricate plasterwork, and timber beams. The stylish renovation by Catalan designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán won several international awards, and you'll see why as soon as you enter the grand entrance with its mismatched vintage suitcases and check in at the marble and wrought iron reception surrounded by original azulejo tiles. You'll find playful art and design features around every corner within the mazelike interiors, including a cozy cocktail bar set within an old bookshop (spot the original Pedrino Liberia facade beside the main entrance).

Location

The Calle Barquillo address puts you in the hip Chueca neighborhood, opposite one of the city's oldest theaters and just a few blocks from Gran Vía. Many travelers overlook Chueca since it's next to young and cool Malasaña, but one could easily argue it has a better vibe. You'll have access to local shops, elevated eateries, and picturesque squares while staying within strolling distance of El Retiro Park, Plaza Mayor, and the "Golden Triangle" of art museums. The Madrid Atocha train station is a 10-minute taxi ride south, and you can reach the airport via a local train from the Recoletos station or a bus from Plaza de Cibeles, both under five minutes away on foot. Parking is available in paid public lots nearby.

Rooms & Bathrooms

The 125 air-conditioned rooms definitely match the property's colorful, bold, and eclectic style. The smallest Petit Barquillo and Deluxe units face the inner courtyard; upgrade to a Superior or Premium for more space and an iron balcony overlooking the neighborhood. The airy FabuLofts feature high wood-beamed ceilings, and the Blue Suites include French doors opening onto a romantic blue-and-white-tiled terrace. Bibliophiles will want to book the Suiteheart, with a spiral staircase and a wall of curated bookshelves. All rooms include iPhone docking stations, Nespresso machines, and luxurious goose feather and silk duvets. Bathrooms are spacious and beautifully lit, with marble vanities, Codage Paris toiletries, and rainfall showers; many also include freestanding soaking tubs.

Amenities

You'll have three on-site wining and dining options: the gluten-free Celicioso is popular with locals at lunchtime, while El Padrino serves tapas and cocktails against a backdrop of antique books and vintage posters. The YOUnique Arts Club describes itself as "a space where art and gastronomy coexist," with a creative fusion menu and installations by up-and-coming artists. Breakfast is a standout feature, served 24 hours a day in the light-drenched, plant-filled inner courtyard. Grab a fresh-squeezed juice and an acai bowl if you're feeling healthy, or go traditional with artisan breads, Spanish charcuterie, and roasted garlic. You'll find a first-floor wellness space with Thai and Asian-inspired therapies, and there's a small but well-equipped 24-hour gym. The hotel is wheelchair accessible and all floors are reached by elevator.  

Family-Friendliness

Children of all ages are welcome at the Only YOU Boutique Hotel, but the clientele tends mostly toward adults, and you won't find any specific amenities catered to kids. Families will find the suites most comfortable; no extra beds or baby cribs are available.