The Best Madrid Hotels for Art Lovers
Madrid is one of the best cities in Europe when it comes to art. The Prado Museum alone boasts the world's most formidable collections of paintings by Bosch, El Greco, Titian, Goya, and Velázquez, and similarly impressive works can be found at the wider-ranging Thyssen-Bornemisza and more contemporary Reina Sofía museums. Of course, anyone who can appreciate the Spanish capital's artistic assets shouldn't pass up staying in a visually inspiring hotel. Here are a few of our favorites.
Only YOU Atocha
Why it made the list
Only YOU Atocha is a destination in itself, thanks to the sleek interiors by Contemporain Studio, the Catalan design firm behind celebrity hotspots Boca Grande and Soho House in Barcelona. The New York hipster aesthetic—think Edison bulbs, exposed brick, and subway-tiled bathrooms—is in full force here, but don’t let the industrial undertones fool you: Only YOU Atocha provides comforts that comparably priced hotels often forego such as smart TVs (request an HDMI cable at reception), cushy armchairs, and vanity mirrors framed by light bulbs.
Westin Palace Madrid
Why it made the list
An iconic hotel situated inside the “Golden Triangle” (the district connecting the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen museums), the Westin Palace is known for its unbeatable location, stately façade, and classical décor. The best way to experience its grandeur is to sit for a coffee or light meal in La Rotonda restaurant beneath the Art Deco stained-glass dome.
Silken Puerta América
Why it made the list
The owners of this hotel granted an unlimited budget to 19 of the world's top architects and designers; the result is 12 hotels in one, with floors by the late Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Jean Nouvel, David Chipperfield, and others. The property's round beds, illuminated ceiling art, and psychedelic layouts are striking enough to make the most seasoned architects gasp. But with such unbridled ingenuity come practical foibles such as elusive light switches and outlets, uncomfortable chairs, and rock-hard beds.
ME Madrid
Why it made the list
Synthy DJ beats, dim lights, and limited-edition designer furniture (by such cutting-edge Spanish designers as Moanne, Kettal, and Vibia) make ME Madrid feel like an exclusive club. Equidistant from Puerta del Sol, the Prado Museum, and the Plaza Mayor, the property's location is optimal for visitors who have limited time in the city but want to see (and eat and drink) as much as possible.
Hotel Ritz
Why it made the list
Unapologetically opulent, the Hotel Ritz is Madrid’s last bastion of old-school Continental luxury. Shimmering chandeliers, carved-mahogany accents, and handwoven carpets go to show that this hotel is unbothered by the latest hospitality trends. Make no mistake, there’s nothing ironic about the full-on Victorian aesthetic; this is the real deal, not some millennial designer’s idea of a throwback. But those who surrender to the fin-de-siècle charm are rewarded with canopy beds, original oil paintings, cushy velvet slippers, and fresh fruit platters (in some rooms).
Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques
Why it made the list
Spanish art lovers will geek out at the new Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques, a luxury hotel tucked behind Gran Vía where reproductions of famous Diego Velázquez paintings loom large in every room. But don’t let the Elizabethan façade and Golden Age paintings fool you: Palacio de los Duques is a state-of-the-art property complete with Nespresso machines, Bluetooth speakers, and bedside thermostats in every room.
Barceló Torre de Madrid
Why it made the list
A veritable jewel box of glowing lights, harlequin furniture, and gilded mirrors, the soaring Barceló Torre de Madrid is the trendiest hotel in town—and one of the newest, opened in February 2017. Jaime Hayón, the Madrid-born designer behind the property’s idiosyncratic interiors, strikes a balance between playfulness (zebra-striped bear sculptures) and drama (photos of flamenco bailaoras with piercing eyes), and it all feels so unapologetically current, from the millennial-pink walls, to the spherical light bulbs, to the microgreen-garnished dishes. Take your passion for art to the next level with “The Locals” program, which invites guests on limited-access experiences with local art intelligentsia.
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