15 best hotels in Madrid for long weekends and summer breaks
Madrid makes for the ideal getaway. Less than a three-hour flight from London, and with all the culture and food you could hope for, the city is constantly buzzing. And while it may have historically come as second choice for most after Barcelona, the capital city is having a moment, with some of the coolest bars, restaurants and hotels in Spain opening in the past few years.
Hotels in Madrid are certainly worthy of applause. The city is home to grand palaces that have been restored to their former glory and converted to palatial escapes, and city centre hotels that overlook the busy streets below. Whether you're in the market for a cheap and cheerful escape, or you're looking for a bouji stay to remember, we've selected the very best hotels in Madrid to help you choose.
Best hotels in Madrid at a glance:
- Best Location: Gran Hotel Ingles
- Best Affordable Stay: Generator Madrid
- Best Foodie Stay: Hotel Único Madrid
- Most Eco-Friendly: Palacio de los Duques
- Most Instagrammable Stay: The Madrid Edition
- Best Luxury Hotel: Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid
How we chose the best hotels in Madrid:
When selecting hotels, we consider the things we know you'll care about: location (and proximity to main tourist attractions), service, food and drinks offering and - of course - hotel design. We look for all the little things that make a trip memorable, from exceptional service to extras like a drink on arrival. We also consider the facilities a hotel might have, such as a spa or free bike hire. Lastly, we look at what other travellers think of the hotel, to make sure your experience will be as wonderful as possible.
Which area of Madrid is best to stay in?
The Centro district is where you'll find hotels, restaurants and museums. If you're visiting the city for the first time, you might want to consider basing yourself in Sol, where everything is walkable and you'll have easy access to many hotels and bars. Malasaña is also located in Sol, but is its slightly cooler neighbour, with vintage shops and locals milling around. For a quieter break, or if you're travelling with a family, Retiro is home to parks, the city's botanical garden and plenty of memorable restaurants.
Ahead, our full edit of the best hotels in Madrid 2024.
Generator Madrid
Yes, this is a hostel - but not as you know it. In a great location near to Gran Via, this was once a parking lot, and then a petrol station, before being converted into 129 rooms (and 542 beds) plus a lobby, restaurant and rooftop bar. Now, it’s a place where cool younger travellers stop off to enjoy Madrid, and the vibe matches that youthful spirit - expect hardwood floors and chic in-room design details, particularly in the two-bed rooms, which offer more privacy and wouldn’t look out of place in a higher-budget hotel. Those travelling in bigger groups can book out the eight-bed dorm to themselves. The rooftop is a selling point for many who stay here, so if you’re looking to make new friends on your trip this is the place to hang out, affordable cocktail in-hand, of course.
Best for: Groups of friends travelling together.
Address: Calle de Silva, 1, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £39Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Bless Hotel Madrid
Located in the upscale Salamanca district, Bless Hotel promises timeless glamour and delicious dining during your stay. The art deco-leaning interior has plenty of hints of Parisian charm about it, and the suites in particular are breathtaking; think spacious rooms with a terrace overlooking the city. Head to the rooftop for the pool and to grab a cocktail at sunset, or dine on Japanese-inspired cuisine at SVLJ. One thing you’ll notice is that plenty of locals love this spot - so it’s perfect for feeling like you’ve blended into the city.
Best for: Feeling like a local
Address: C. de Velázquez, 62, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £461
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
The Principal Madrid
Located at the end of Gran Vía - what is essentially the ‘main street’ in the capital - this hotel is ideally located for exploring, and will allow you to walk almost everywhere. The 20th century building could almost pass for flats or offices from the outside, helped in part by its very discreet entrance, but inside you’ll find elegance and opulence, where marble floors and velvet furnishings take centre-stage. Rooms are chic and simple, but have plenty of room and are quiet, despite the busy location. The public spaces are the real selling point here; the rooftop terrace is a wonderful escape, while the hotel’s restaurant is memorable.
Best for: Those wanting to be able to walk to the city’s attractions.
Address: C. del Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 1, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £400
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid
Everything is grand here, from the beautifully imposing white building to the crystal canopy ceiling and sculptures and art scattered throughout the property. But what else would you expect from a Mandarin Oriental? This address has been a hotel since 1910, and is well known to locals thanks to its iconic positioning in a cultural area of town, near the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums. Service here is impeccable; staff are everywhere, waiting to organise your itinerary, or topping up your champagne glass at dinner. The result is that you feel like a princess for the entirety of your stay, which is always a good thing in our minds.
Best for: Memorable service that’s hard to live up to.
Address: Pl. de la Lealtad, 5, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: £941
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Aloft Madrid Gran Via
If you’re not keen to stay at a hostel, but can’t quite stretch to some of the luxury prices Madrid hotels charge, Aloft could be the ideal option for you. This cool hotel offers everything you could need for an easy breezy stay - a great location (close to Gran Via), cool shared areas and comfortable rooms. You should know that rooms don’t tend to be big here, but they do have everything you need for a simple stay, from plenty of power sockets to an easy-to-use lighting system. Guests vary from younger groups of travellers, to those in town for business and even families, which can create a fun, social atmosphere - there’s also a small rooftop pool and a gym, if that’s your thing.
Best for: A simple, affordable stay.
Address: C. de Jacometrezo, 4, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £224
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
The Madrid Edition
This hotel only arrived on the Madrid scene in 2022, but is already making waves as a favourite for travellers who love a contemporary and buzzy place to stay. There’s no doubt that Madrid’s coolest locals hang out here, and who could blame them? There’s a huge curved white staircase leading to the lobby, a bright pink corridor pointing you to Mexican restaurant Jeronimo and rooftop pool and bar area so chic you’ll find it hard to leave (made easier by the fact that there’s plenty of day beds - a rare treat in a city centre hotel). Pop into the spa, which uses Le Labo products, if you’re feeling fancy - or simply spend your time people watching. It’s the perfect place to catch a celeb.
Best for: Those looking for the coolest place in town.
Address: Pl. de Celenque, 2, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £288
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hotel Único Madrid
Housed in a 19th-century palace, this chic stay offers design (expect red swirling sculptures, plenty of marble and OTT chandeliers) and comfort, and never strays away from those two focuses. Unlike some hotels which lean on gimmicks to draw a crowd, Hotel Único is proudly itself - and thankfully, it works. Rooms and suites are decorated in black and cream, and have comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets. The restaurant is a highlight; it has two Michelin stars, and an ‘art meets gastronomy’ ethos, so expect a truly beautiful showing that’s worth splashing out on.
Best for: Fancy fine dining.
Address: C. de Claudio Coello, 67, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £466
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Hotel Regina
This hotel has a buzzy atmosphere from the moment you step in; the grand lobby opens up onto a bar where you’ll find coffee drinkers by day, and people enjoying a cocktail at night. It’s a large place, with 190 rooms, but you won’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of people, and staff do a wonderful job at making every guest feel welcomed. If you want the best rooms, try the Deluxe option - which has its own small terrace - or the Attic - which has cosy sloping ceilings and a high location to allow you to observe the city. There’s no gym or spa available at Hotel Regina, but if you’re looking for a luxurious stay that won’t bankrupt you, it;s a great choice.
Best for: Affordable luxury.
Address: C. de Alcalá, 19, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £158
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Rosewood Villa Magna
This hotel was relaunched by the Rosewood brand in 2021, and has quickly become known for its wonderful food and drink offering, plus a world class spa. Located in a well-heeled area of Madrid, where you’ll find designer shops and fine dining everywhere you look, it blends in with the upper class perfectly - and there’s every chance that many who come to enjoy a glass of champagne or dinner aren’t actually staying in the rooms. That’s thanks in part to Michelin-starred chef Jesús Sánchez, who brings his inventive take on Spanish cuisine to the restaurant, Amós. Don’t forget to enjoy a cocktail at the bar and soak up the atmosphere - being here feels sort-of like being part of a very exclusive club, and that’s something we could certainly get used to.
Best for: A perfect spa experience.
Address: P.º de la Castellana, 22, Salamanca, 28046 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £932
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Gran hotel Ingles
As the first luxury hotel to be built in Madrid back in 1886, the Gran Hotel has a lot to live up to – thankfully, that it does. There are just 48 rooms and suites here, so it won’t feel overwhelming with guests, and there’s plenty of space for a large lobby and bar. Decor is Art Deco-style, but it doesn’t feel OTT or daunting - more like a place you’d be happy to hang out with friends. The location is wonderful - in the Barrio de Las Letras, where streets are lined with tapas bars and shops - making this a wonderful choice for first-time visitors to the city. Be sure to hit up the hotel’s helpful staff, who will happily give personalised suggestions for things to do during your stay.
Best for: Those visiting Madrid for the first time, and hoping to be as central as possible.
Address: Calle de Echegaray, 8, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: £450
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
VP Plaza Espańa Design
This high-rise hotel overlooks the Plaza de España, which sits at the end of Gran Via, and offers enviable views of the city. The style here is sleek, sophisticated and modern - a vertical garden takes centre stage in the restaurant, while the sky bar is super popular with both guests and locals. Rooms are chic and clean, almost Scandi-style in their decor which is all about clean lines and comfort. The best rooms are those with a terrace, but even the ones without will feel comfortable and relaxing.
Best for: A modern stay in an ideal location.
Address: Pl. de España, 5, Centro, 28008 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: from £220
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Relais & Chateaux Hotel Orfila
This is one of the smallest luxury hotels in Madrid, but arguably one of the most unique, too. Artwork and antiques take centre-stage, so expect to see mesmerising paints, oversized vases and patterned furniture everywhere you look. These touches only add to the fascination of this property, which has only 32 rooms - each decorated differently. The staff are a highlight, thanks to their genuine love for the property and care to ensure you experience the very best of it. It’s also worth noting that the food and drink offering is excellent - especially the breakfast, which is huge and varied.
Best for: Those looking for a unique stay.
Address: C. de Orfila, 6, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £449
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Palacio de los Duques
This building was once a convent, and the hotel does a wonderful job of combining the old features - such as the high ceilings and oversized windows - with the new, like its excellent rooftop pool and restaurant Dos Cielos Madrid, where dishes are a memorable take on Spanish food. Rooms all showcase artwork from renowned Spanish painter Diego Velázquez, and the overall vibe is opulent – so expect draped curtains and rich furnishings. Be sure to check out the spa during your stay, which offers Thai massages alongside facials, wraps and more.
Best for: Rooftop views of the city.
Address: Cuesta de Sto. Domingo, 5, Centro, 28013 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £473
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel
This mansion once belonged to the Duke of Santo Mauro, but now makes a bouji stay for the likes of you and me. The elegant property is found in a quieter part of Madrid, which only adds to the luxurious vibe, since it feels a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of town. Despite initial appearances, decor here is modern and clean - rooms have large beds with hints of grey decor, and public areas tend to lean on the grandness of the building, rather than adding endless statement furniture pieces. The gin bar is a favourite for locals, and the hotel itself is said to have hosted many celebs over the years (Spanish footballers and David and Victoria Beckham included).
Best for: Celebrity spotting.
Address: Calle de Zurbano, 36, Chamberí, 28010 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £790
Star rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Palacio Tirso de Molina - THE ARC COLLECTION
Located right next to a Metro station, this hotel puts you in a great position for exploring the city. Built in an old palace, the vibe here is grand - decor is simple and princessy, so expect oversized beds and sofa, plus large windows looking out over the street below. Some rooms are apartment-style, with a small kitchenette, so you can truly make yourself feel at home during your stay if that’s what you wish. An added bonus here is the indoor swimming pool, which is a rare treat in the middle of such a busy city.
Best for: Feeling like you’re living in the city.
Address: Pl. de Tirso de Molina, 8, Centro, 28012 Madrid, Spain
Price per night: From £250Save when you book the best hotels in Madrid with these booking.com discount codes.
