Looking for both charm and central location (near museums). Rooftop, garden or balcony would be preferred. This is expense account travel so not too worried about price. Are there ANY hotels in Madrid that ooze charm and oldworld elegance as in Paris and Rome?

The Ritz is one of the most charming and elegant hotels in the world, in my opinion.

Thanks, Scrunchy. Ritz looks good. What type of room do you recommend?
Is this the best part of town for sightseeing and restaurants. (My primary goal is museum-ing, but I don't mind a taxi ride.)

Anyone else?

The Ritz is opposite the Prado, and the other two main art museums are nearby. I haven't been to Madrid yet, but I've learned that much from reading. The Ritz had a good review at SlowTrav recently.

if you are looking for intimacy, and old world charm, the converted palatial home of the marquis de santo mauro is tops.

www.achotelsantomauro.com

excellent restaurant reviews locally.

for rooftop dining, go to the CASINO de madrid. this is not a gambling casino, but rather, the traditional social club for the elite in madrid. restaurant open to the public. worth the visit.

Not sure what kind of room you should get at The Ritz but I doubt if the hotel has any bad ones. This is the only hotel in the world that I have stayed in where the staff remembered, and called me by, my name each time I walked through the lobby, beginning a few moments after I descended for the first time after checking in. Also you don't find many places these days in which you sleep on embroidered linen sheets. Now I stayed there about 6 years ago so I cannot vouch for the linen sheets still being there but I am sure that this hotel is elegance personified. And the location cannot be beat for museum-going. Good shopping and eating are a short walk away...the hotel has a good restaurant as well.

As a much lower cost alternative, you might want to see the Villa Real. http://www.derbyhotels.es/eng/villa_real_in.htm

We stayed there in June. Nice modern rooms (not too small) with ver attentive staff. 150 euros

Ian

I also just came back from staying at the Villa Real ( 2nd time). However, from comments from people I know that have stayed at both, the Ritz and Villa Real, the Ritz it's much more luxurios.

The Palace is also very nice, I would place it between the Ritz and the Villa Real.

Just got back from staying at the Palace Hotel - wonderful and easy walking distance to everything!! Beautiful rooms, great food and wonderful views of the city