Hotel Emperador stands as an iconic fixture on Madrid’s famous Gran Vía. Designed by architects Julián and Joaquín Otamendi, the building was completed in 1947 and quickly became a glamorous hub for the city’s cultural elite. Throughout its history, the hotel has hosted legendary figures like Ernest Hemingway, Ava Gardner, and Sophia Loren, cementing its status as a symbol of mid-century sophistication.
The property is perhaps most famous for its stunning 10th-floor rooftop terrace. Featuring a large swimming pool that dates back to 1948, it was one of the first of its kind in Madrid. Even today, it remains a premier destination for those looking to enjoy a cocktail while overlooking the city’s historic skyline, including breathtaking views of the Royal Palace and the Almudena Cathedral.
Beyond its history, the hotel offers a refined mix of classic elegance and modern comfort, with over 200 well-appointed rooms. The lobby bar is a favorite spot for guests to unwind, providing an intimate setting that feels worlds away from the bustling energy of the avenue outside.
Its location is unbeatable for anyone wanting to explore the heart of the capital. You are within walking distance of the historic Puerta del Sol and the grand Plaza Mayor. For art lovers, the famous “Art Triangle”—home to the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía museums—is just a short, pleasant walk away, making the Emperador a perfect starting point for discovering Madrid’s cultural treasures.
Expert reviews
“The chief recommendation at The Emperador, certainly in the summer, would be the roof-top swimming pool. There’s a bar up there, too, and captivating 360-degree views of the Spanish capital.”
What guests liked
- Rooftop pool
- Friendly staff
- Excellent Wifi
- Top location
- Boutique style
Location
Recent guest reviews
9 June 2026
Great location !
Nice facilities
8 June 2026
Very good
Brilliant location -- attractive pool area to relax around when not out and about in the city
Sometimes inattentive service. The room had very little in the way of cupboards or hanging space so impossible fo 2 people to unpack bags
8 June 2026
Exceptional
We loved absolute everything about Emperador! The service was amazing the location was so convenient and the pool and terrace were a highlight!
8 June 2026
Good one night stay for us...
Very central, room immaculate and clean. No complaints
The view could have been better..
7 June 2026
Enjoyed the holiday but hard on the picket
Roof terrace and pool excellent. Location perfect
A bit pricy for small and tired room 24 euros per person for breakfast
7 June 2026
Very good
The location on the Gran Via was excellent. The front desk staff were very helpful with reservations and transportation, etc. breakfast as very nice. Good Value.
NA.
7 June 2026
All you will need for a great stay in Madrid.
Excellent location and great facilities.
Very small issue. Not a criticism but a suggestion - a more varied selection of fruit in the morning for breakfast but all in all a great hotel for a stay in Madrid. Staff were great.
7 June 2026
Fantastic place to stay while visiting Madrid
We been here before and for sure will come back the location is great, the rooms are very comfortable, even being by a busy street we were surprised with the great windows
Nothing
6 June 2026
Exceptional
Excellent service
6 June 2026
Exceptional
Excellent service
5 June 2026
Fabulous
Great location and rooftop pool
3 June 2026
Very much recommendable.
Great location. Very clean. Spacious lobby. Friendly and helpful staff.
2 June 2026
Met my needs for the trip
Central location in Gran Via, very convenient to walk
The room they gave me didn’t have any views, you were basically looking at the back of another building
2 June 2026
An older style hotel in a central location.
The central location.
The old-style shower over bath
31 May 2026
It was wonderful.
The hotel's location, staff, and cleanliness were excellent. The breakfast was very varied. The poolside area was also a great place to relax during this hot weather.
31 May 2026
Exceptional
Perfecto
29 May 2026
Great hotel
Beautiful rooftop terrace and pool. Really lovely staff in all areas. Great location.
Dated bathroom. Slow and ineffective lift. Breakfast items not very hot
28 May 2026
Great Hotel in Downtown Madrid
Great hotel in the heart of Madrid. Easy walk to so many things - restaurants, parks, Prado Museum, Royal Palace, Plaza del Sol, etc. Very nice lounge/restaurant/pool on the roof, with great views of Madrid. It had the best breakfast buffet of any Spanish hotel we stayed in.
28 May 2026
Our dream stay in Madrid
Everything! Location was amazing, so central. The room was so spacious and perfect room temp in hot weather. Super clean. Staff extremely attentive. Rooftop is worth going here for alone but everything was superb! Really appreciated the unexpected room upgrade and little birthday treat for my Mom. Attention to detail here is 100%!
Nothing!
26 May 2026
Great spot for shopping/sightseeing and relaxing!
Swimming pool and rooftop area amazing. A real oasis in the city when it’s hot. Staff all lovely.
Nothing.
25 May 2026
Very enjoyable
The staff were lovely especially Natalia in the roof top bar
24 May 2026
Brilliant
Location was excellent as was standard of rooms & public areas
22 May 2026
Great location
Great location and staff very efficient and helpful
Breakfast was limited and a bit disappointing for the 24e price paid
21 May 2026
A short visit to Madrid.
The location was great. The rooftop terrace provided a great view of the city.
The elevators were very slow. The problem is there are the main elevators and a secondary parking elevator. Guests call both sets which makes the elevator slow.
20 May 2026
Superb location and cultural experience
Location is superb!! Walking distance to Plaza Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza España and many amenities. Friendly staff and helpful. Rooms are spacious, comfortable and quiet. Good air conditioning
Nothing
20 May 2026
It was good. If I traveled again I would stay in the hotel.
It was good. It had orange juice and water. I don't drink hot beverages. They had coffee and also tea for the person that don't drink coffee.
The scramble eggs could taste better and also had more variety of fruits.
20 May 2026
Very good
Great location. Needs some updating. Breakfast was just mid.
Older. Slow elevators.
20 May 2026
Well located good service and def would stay again
Great location great rooftop- comfy rooms a little dated but nothing to complain about and comfy beds.
Breakfast 24 euros pp
18 May 2026
Great location for everything, lovely staff brill location !
Breakfast was great everything you could want. The facilities on the roof were fab ! Barman was excellent could make any cocktail 🥂
18 May 2026
Very good
Location is amazing. Roof top bar was excellent. Staff were lovely
17 May 2026
Great and beautiful hotel. Spacious rooms
Great location, very comfortable, very spacious rooms, lovely terrace and rooftop bar setting. Just a really nice hotel, that is very welcoming.
Nothing - great hotel
17 May 2026
I enjoyed my stay overall
Breakfast was excellent/ location very central
Room 926 next to me was under renovation- very noisy Also I didn’t like the contact reception method with QR code - non Spanish people cannot understand the language
17 May 2026
Nice place near the action.
Nice room, clean.
Tough subway trip from airport, three lines and lots of stairs.
16 May 2026
Very good
Location
Our room had a connecting door so we ended up with a lot of noise from next door.
16 May 2026
Exceptional
The breakfast Buffett was just ok
12 May 2026
Convenient and well located
The staff at the front desk was very helpful and the roof top pool was wonderful. The hotel is right in the middle of everything on the Grand Via.
The standard room is very small!
11 May 2026
Exceptional
Excellent
Nothing
10 May 2026
Very good
Well located
Not particularly friendly staff. Bathroom needed upgrading, shower plastic and shower nozzle broken.
9 May 2026
Excellent location with a lovely rooftop bar
Great location with great facilities
Everything was good
8 May 2026
Amazing hotel with helpful staff and lively lobby.
Amazing location, friendly and knowledgeable staff, nice clean rooms.
Everything was great.
7 May 2026
Great location on the Gran Via
Nice breakfast. Great location.
We wish the staff had warned us about the closure of the Gran Via for Labor Day. We struggled to arrive, having to drag our bags several blocks. Also, AC was not great.
7 May 2026
Fabulous
Location, excellent breakfast, large space in the room.
6 May 2026
Very good
The service is flawless! Excellent location! The room is quite well equipped.
Artificial bed linens. No view from the room.
6 May 2026
Had an enjoyable stay. Hotel close to many restaurants.
Good location and facilities. Breakfast excellent. Staff very good.
Nothing
5 May 2026
It was an amazing stay and staff.
Everything was top notch and the quality of the facility was amazing.
wished the pool was open and the roof lounge open and more vibrant. It was close to 80° during our stay. I was charged for "cork service" to open a bottle of wine at $20. The bottle was bought off site for $15. Seemed a bit much.
4 May 2026
Adorable
Everything was perfect, the staff was so nice, the room was amazing; we arrived early and they did an early check-in for us and even they upgraded our room from standard to premium with a view and this was so nice of them. The location is amazing, it’s very central
3 May 2026
A good one but expensive small room
Good Location
My room space was cozy but very small.
30 April 2026
Luxurious vibe in the heart of Madrid
Our stay at Hotel Emperador was lovely. The first thing that stands out is the classic luxury and elegant atmosphere of the hotel. Being located on Gran Vía made exploring the city incredibly easy. Regarding the amenities, the breakfast was okay—nothing extraordinary, but certainly sufficient to start the day. We didn't have any major complaints and thoroughly enjoyed the upscale feel of the property. Would definitely recommend it for the location and the views from the rooftop!
nothing
30 April 2026
Came in for three days to go to the ATP Mutua Madrid Tennis
Loved the location. Loved the professional and friendly staff. Loved that I requested an early check-in they were able to do that for me.
Everything was great.
Hotel facilities
General
- - Room service
- - Non-smoking rooms
- - Facilities for disabled guests
- - Lift
- - Safety deposit box
- - Soundproof rooms
- - Heating
- - Non-smoking throughout
- - Air conditioning
- - Shuttle service (additional charge)
Business facilities
- - Meeting/banquet facilities (additional charge)
- - Business centre (additional charge)
- - Fax/photocopying (additional charge)
Food & Drink
- - Bar
- - Snack bar
- - Wine/champagne (additional charge)
- - Fruits (additional charge)
- - Coffee house on site
Reception services
- - 24-hour front desk
- - Currency exchange
- - Tour desk
- - Luggage storage
- - Concierge service
- - Invoice provided
Activities
- - Fitness centre
- - Massage (additional charge)
- - Fitness
- - Temporary art galleries
Outdoors
- - Terrace
- - Outdoor pool
- - Sun terrace
- - Outdoor pool (seasonal)
Cleaning services
- - Laundry (additional charge)
- - Dry cleaning (additional charge)
- - Ironing service (additional charge)
- - Daily housekeeping
Accessibility
- - Wheelchair accessible
Pool and wellness
- - Rooftop pool
- - Pool with view
- - Pool bar
- - Sun loungers or beach chairs
- - Swimming pool
- - Swimming pool
Miscellaneous
- - 24-hour security
- - Key card access
- - Security alarm
- - Smoke alarms
- - CCTV in common areas
- - Fire extinguishers
- - Delivered food is securely covered
- - Access to health care professionals
- - Thermometers for guests provided by property
- - Face masks for guests available

More photos

9 June 2026
It was great!