“Since opening in the fall of 2013, the Only You Hotel has quickly made a name for itself among design-conscious travelers and locals who frequent the lively bar. Besides the bar and restaurant there is a gorgeous sun-lit lobby atrium downstairs and 70 rooms upstairs with plush midnight blue velvet wall coverings and crisp white lacquered furnishings.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Madrid.
“The Orfila is a converted 19th-century palace. Close enough to the Castellana to feel the pulse of the city’s main artery, set back enough to sleep quietly and stroll along sedate side streets.”
“Modern, spacious studios and suites are only half the story at this terrific property just down the hill from Plaza de España. Definitely pay extra for a room with a view over the lovely Jardines de Sabatini – simply brilliant.”
“After being shuttered for years the Hotel Suecia reopened in January 2014 as the Innside Madrid Suecia, a new concept hotel by the Spanish Melía chain for on-the-go travelers. The décor features blond woods and nubby fabrics; the building was once home to both the Swedish Cultural Institute and Ernest Hemingway. It has 127 rooms, an all-day restaurant and a fabulous roof terrace just one tranquil block away from the Paseo del Prado.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Madrid.
“Set in the central Alonso Martínez neighborhood, Urso Hotel & Spa is a chic boutique property in a restored early 20th-century palace replete with marble stairs, a wrought-iron balustrade and stained-glass windows.”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Madrid.
“Since moving into tony Salamanca at the end of last year, Tótem has quickly become one of Madrid’s most coveted accommodations. Its 1920s-inspired décor features potted palms, blue velvet sofas and a Mediterranean restaurant inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald’s ‘The Beautiful and Damned.'”
Featured in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Madrid.
“Combining comfort and style in the rooms with a prime address for business, culture and night life, the Principal has a lot going for it. For guests who like rubbing shoulders with a steady stream of Madrid’s creative class, just head up to the roof.”
“The Hat hikes up the standard of Madrid hostels with the style of a boutique hotel and lots of good ideas for a comfortable, fun stay without paying silly prices. Sights, shops and restaurants are on the doorstep and there is a groovy bar up on the roof. Unsurprisingly, it attracts all ages.”
“If you want to stay somewhere comfortable, fun and reasonably priced in the centre of Madrid, this new-style hostel might fit the bill. With double and family rooms as well as dorms, smart contemporary design and a handsome traditional building, the TOC is a refreshingly modern place to stay.”
“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.”
“You’d be hard-pressed to find better value anywhere in Europe than here in this overhauled hotel. Rooms have a fresh, contemporary look with white wood furnishings, and some have brilliant views down to Gran Vía.”
“Many city hostels occupy top spots, have a strong design ethos and offer more services than five-star hotels – all for a fraction of the price. Among the best of the best: Room 007 in the Chueca, Sol and Ventura neighbourhoods of Madrid.”
“An elegant and ingeniously converted palace, Hotel Catalonia Las Cortes was once the residence of the Duke of Nobelejas. In some of the suites, guests will gaze up at frescoed ceilings.”
“Now here’s something special. The views alone would be reason enough to come to this hotel and definitely worth paying extra for – rooms with balconies look out over the Palacio Real and Plaza de Oriente.”
“Give 22 of architecture’s most creative names (eg Zaha Hadid, Norman Foster, Ron Arad, David Chipperfield, Jean Nouvel) a floor each to design. The result is an extravagant pastiche of styles.”
New York Times, Fodors, Telegraph
CNN, Lonely Planet, Telegraph
Lonely Planet, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
New York Times, Telegraph
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Telegraph
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Lonely Planet
The Guardian
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Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Madrid is the central capital city of Spain that is noted for its manicured parks such as the Buen Retiro, elegant boulevards, and rich repositories of European art such as the Prado Museum’s works by Velázquez, Goya and other Spanish masters.
The best neighborhoods in Madrid are:
Barrio de las Letras
Barrio de las Letras has been the city’s literary neighborhood for centuries and is now the home to many shops, restaurants and cool bars. It has a Plaza Santa Ana that is a busy centre during the day and is a great place to sit and observe the culture and the people of the city.
Chueca
Chueca is one of the most vibrant and stylish neighborhoods of the city. The area is home to a host of shops, cafés, clubs, restaurants and cocktail bars, and is the centre of Madrid Pride that takes place at the end of June each year.
Malasaña
Malasaña is the neighborhood that was the centre of Movida Madrileña – a countercultural movement developed after dictator Francisco Franco died. The area is located just west of Chueca and is the hippest neighborhood of the city. It is filled with restaurants, bars, boutiques, vintage shops and nightclubs.
Las Salesas
Las Salesas is a neighborhood with restaurants, tempting cafés and designer boutiques that makes it a perfect place for a leisurely weekend.
Lavapiés
Lavapiés is one of the most multicultural neighborhoods of the city with hip cafés, bars, cool street art and international cuisine. The area is an ideal place to check out local artists and take a street-art tour.
Also check out our travel guide about the best areas to stay in Madrid.
If you're looking for a cheap hotel in Madrid, then book Hotel Praktik Metropol. It's an excellent budget hotel offering great value for money. It's in a good location, it's been recommended by travel experts and the hotel has excellent customer reviews.
Not a fan of big chain hotels? No problem. If you want to stay in a boutique hotel in Madrid, then you should book Only You Boutique Hotel. The hotel has been rated highly by previous guests for its boutique style. It has also been recommended by influential travel journalists.
If money isn't a problem and you're looking for a luxury hotel in Madrid, then go for Hotel Relais & Châteaux Orfila. The hotel offers excellent service, it's in a top location, it has been rated very highly by previous guests and renowned travel critics have recommended it.
If you're looking for a great hostel in Madrid, then you should check out Hostel The Hat. The hostel has magnificent reviews by backpackers, it has been recommended by well-known travel experts and it's in a good location.
For a 3-star hotel you have to pay around $120 per night and for a 4-star hotel you would be looking at $170 per night. If you're after a luxury 5-star Madrid hotel then you can expect to pay around $270 per night.
Looking for a great view while having your dinner or drinking a beer? Hotel NH Collection Innside Suecia or Hotel Praktik Metropol, both have excellent rooftop bars.
Madrid: Royal Palace Skip-the-Line Guided Tour. Enjoy an early access guided tour of the Royal Place in Madrid with a walk from Plaza de Isabel II. Visit the Private Royal Apartments and Royal Gardens. Price: $40.
Toledo and Segovia Tour with Alcazar Entrance from Madrid. Immerse yourself in the medieval majesty of Toledo, a UNESCO-listed site replete with historical monuments, and Segovia on a full-day tour from Madrid. With a knowledgeable guide, witness the arresting landmarks of each city while discovering fascinating historical facts. Price: $75.
Madrid Tapas and Wine Tasting Tour. Discover Madrid’s vibrant culinary scene on a delicious tapas tour. Stroll through the evening-lit streets with a guide and sample delicious tapas dishes at popular restaurants while learning about the local ingredients. Price: $89.
More things to do in Madrid
Madrid is the capital of Spain and also the largest municipality in the whole country. The city is the third-largest city in the European Union where it lies ideally on the River Manzanares. The city is the political, cultural and economic center of the country making it one of the most important cities in the country.
The city of Madrid is a major global city as a result of its influence and contribution to politics, education, culture, science and arts, entertainment, fashion and media. As a result of the city’s high standard of living and economic output, the city is sometimes considered the financial center of Southern Europe.
Madrid is the home of some numerous international organization’s headquarters making it a hugely popular destination for investment and conferences. The city also hosts numerous major international regulators and promoters of the Spanish Language.
The preservation of the look and feel of many of its historic neighborhoods contribute to Madrid being a top tourist destination. Some of the city landmarks include the Royal Palace of Madrid, the Royal Theatre, and the Buen Retiro Park. Other popular places of interest in Madrid include the Paseo del Prado and Prado Museum.
We recommend that you read our guide about where to stay in Madrid. It gives you an excellent overview of the most popular areas, highlighting the main attractions and hotel recommendations for each area. If you like our list of hotels, hostels and B&Bs in Madrid, then you should also check out our selection of recommended hotels in Barcelona or the best hotels in London.