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 Palace opened in 1912 as the largest hotel in Europe, and in its heyday, catered to the likes of Salvador Dalí, Marlon Brando, Rita Hayworth, and Madonna.The property retains much of that Belle Époque charm today—though some say it hasn’t aged as gracefully one might hope.

An iconic hotel situated inside the “Golden Triangle” (the d Read More

Why it made the list

A grand early-20th-century building, once owned by a noble family with extravagant habits (the elevator carried their horses up and down from the rooftop exercise ring), this spectacular hotel is a case in point that classical and modern décor can happily coexist. Relics of the mansion's grandiose past include baseboards and fountains covered with ceramics from Talavera, Parisian stained-glass windows, marble floors and columns, and original moldings.

A palatial early-20th-century building, once owned by a nobl Read More

Why it made the list

Unlike other luxury hotels in Madrid that feel stuffy and tired, Palacio de los Duques wows guests with its cloud-like beds, impeccable service, and world-class amenities. Though the hotel rooms’ omnipresent Golden Age art motifs might scare off millennials, the rooftop pool bar and envelope-pushing restaurant are worth going out of your way to visit.

Spanish art lovers will geek out at the new Gran Meli&aacute Read More

Why it made the list

A Madrid institution that once played host to the likes of The Beatles, Cary Grant, and Rita Hayworth, this classic hotel is a mere hop from the posh shops of Calle Serrano. An impressive lobby with marble floors, antique furniture, and a stained-glass dome ceiling define the style. Spacious rooms are decorated in reds and golds, flowers abound, and a happening cocktail bar extends onto a large terrace overlooking Plaza de Colón on the Castellana.

A Madrid institution that once played host to the likes of T Read More

Why it made the list

Situated on a quiet side street in the posh, tree-lined district of Salamanca, Hotel Único is a boutique property suited to travelers seeking a relaxing, cosmopolitan vacation. Its 44 rooms occupy a 19th-century mansion complete with wrought-iron balconies, curved staircases, and a sunny courtyard. Though the hotel boasts a thrilling two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Ramón Freixa Madrid, the outdated lobby and unremarkable rooms lag behind in the luxury department.

Situated on a quiet side street in the posh, tree-lined dist Read More

Why it made the list

Tucked away on a leafy residential street not far from Plaza de Colón, this elegant 1886 townhouse has every comfort of the larger five-star Madrid hotels, but in more intimate surroundings. Originally owned by the literary and aristocratic Gómez-Acebo family, the building is now in the hands of a private owner whose expensive taste can be felt in the elaborate flower arrangements in the lobby, the original furniture in every room (purchased from run-down French and English castles), and the collection of Loewe silk foulards framed and displayed in the rooms.

Hidden away on a leafy residential street not far from Plaza Read More

Why it made the list

This turn-of-the-century palace in the Chamberí district, once a duke's residence, is now a boutique luxury hotel (managed by Marriott), an oasis of calm removed from the city center. Hand-painted frescoes crown stately halls and soaring guest rooms, balconies jut out over a tranquil garden, and marble stairways spiral between floors. Despite the Old-World aesthetic, modern amenities abound including a gym area, complete with a sauna and steam room, and a Spanish nueva cocina restaurant.

This fin-de-siècle palace in the Chamberí dist Read More

Why it made the list

Dozens of hotels flank Gran Vía, Madrid’s main artery, but only one of them can claim five stars (and $300-a-night standard rooms): The Principal. Opened in 2015 following a €3.5 million remodeling, the hotel stands out for its stately façade, luxury townhouse feel, and swanky rooftop cocktail bar—the latter being the best vantage point to admire the newly restored dome of the Metropolis, a Beaux-Arts marvel. The property’s central location, within walking distance of Retiro park and the “Golden Triangle” of museums, is another great selling point.

Dozens of hotels flank Gran Vía, Madrid’s main artery, but o Read More

Why it made the list

Unapologetically pricey with entry-level rooms starting at $325 per night, the Hotel Ritz is Madrid’s last bastion of old-school Continental luxury. Shimmering chandeliers, carved-mahogany accents, and handwoven tapestries go to show that this hotel is unbothered by the latest hospitality trends. Guests here are treated like royalty—no coincidence, given the property's reputation for hosting dignitaries and celebrities in the hundred-plus years it’s been in business. Spacious rooms, fabulous breakfasts, a storied past, and an unbeatable location within Madrid’s “Golden Triangle” of art make the Ritz one of Madrid’s most standout hotels.

Alfonso XIII, about to marry Queen Victoria's granddaughter, Read More

Why it made the list

With rates starting at $450 a night, you get what you pay for at Villa Magna: Madrid's modern luxury hotel par excellence, frequented by celebrities, foreign financiers, and other high-society types. Rooms are understated in their elegance, all taupes and mood lighting, and suit-and-tie staff are ever-present yet unobtrusive. The property’s two restaurants, one traditional Cantonese and the other contemporary Spanish, offer memorable fine-dining experiences well worth the splurge.

If the Ritz caters to old-money Madrid, then Villa Magna is Read More