Posted: 4/1/24 | April 1st, 2024

Madrid has it all: incredible food, world-class museums, stunning architecture, non-stop nightlife, and picturesque winding streets. The vibrant capital of Spain, here you can spend your days exploring iconic landmarks like the Prado Museum and your evenings luxuriating over glasses of wine in bustling tapas bars.

While my first visit to the city was a bit ill-fated (I was sick and spent most of the time in bed), I’ve been able to visit many times since then.

Over the years, I’ve stayed at lots of hotels here. To help you plan your visit, here’s my list of the best hotels in Madrid:

1. Petit Palace Puerta del Sol

This three-star hotel is housed in a 19th-century building a few steps from Puerta del Sol, Madrid’s central plaza. It’s a bargain given its amenities and location. The overall design is minimalist but cozy, with a warm color palette of salmon and peach tones. In the mornings, there’s an expansive buffet breakfast that caters to all diets with a wide variety of pastries, cold cuts, and fresh fruit.

The soundproofed rooms are compact (to be expected in such a central location) but optimize the space with flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi, parquet floors, small desks, and minibars. The rooms are are minimalist with no real décor to speak of, though they’re clean and comfortable. Some rooms have a lot of natural light, while others are windowless, so if that matters to you, be sure to book a streetside room for a lovely view. The recently renovated bathrooms have rainfall showers with excellent water pressure.

2. Radisson RED Madrid

Located in Madrid’s Art Triangle (home to the city’s world-famous art museums), this four-star hotel is just steps away from lush green spaces like the botanical gardens and Retiro (the city’s main park). The hotel is very chic, with pops of their signature red color and fun artwork throughout. There are a ton of amenities here too, including a co-working space, fitness center, and three eateries designed by a Michelin-starred chef. The breakfast buffet is a bit pricey for Madrid, but it’s quite varied, including eggs, pastries, and fresh juice. I love the fact that it starts at 6:30am too (a lifesaver if you’re an early riser, as you won’t find anything else open for hours).

The rooms have a beautiful contemporary design, with artwork on the walls and ample amounts of natural light. Each room has a flatscreen TV, work desk, Nespresso machine, AC, safe, and a spacious bathroom. There are also family rooms and rooms with a massive private terrace available too. It’s an excellent place to stay if you plan on taking the high-speed rail elsewhere in Spain, as you’re right across from the main train station.

3. L&H La Latina

This aparthotel is located in La Latina, the culinary epicenter of Madrid. There are a variety of apartment types to choose from, including ones for small groups and ones with private terraces. All kitchenettes have a mini fridge, cooktop, microwave, toaster, Nespresso machine, and a little table to sit at. There’s no breakfast on site, but there are plenty of grocery stores and eateries just steps away.

The rooms and suites are painted in a calming sage green color, with minimalist décor and artwork on the walls. All apartments have a lot of natural light and feature a flatscreen TV, wardrobe, and AC. The large bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and showers that have excellent water pressure. Overall, this is a great centrally located hotel perfect for travelers who want extra space or access to a kitchen.

4. Hotel Catalonia Goya

Set in a 19th-century building, this four-star hotel is right on Calle de Goya, one of the city’s most exclusive shopping streets. Despite being on such a busy street, the hotel is tranquil inside, with a plunge pool, fitness center, and soundproofed rooms. The hotel also offers a nice breakfast spread with fresh bread, pastries, cold cuts, fruit, and there’s also a cook preparing eggs and pancakes (there’s a machine for making your own freshly squeezed orange juice too).

The sizable rooms are clean and stylish, with a contemporary design and parquet floors. All rooms have a desk, smart TV with Chromecast, minibar, coffee maker, and safe. The bathrooms are spacious too and have hairdryers as well as large showers with good water pressure. While you’re walking distance to many attractions, the hotel is also right next to a metro station that can take you across the city in just a few stops. I think the value of what you get here is phenomenal.

5. Hotel Indigo Madrid–Princesa

The Indigo is an excellent mid-range accommodation option in Argüelles. The three-star property boasts a gym and a continental breakfast spread that includes cold cuts, pastries, fresh fruit, and tea/coffee. I really like the welcoming, colorful design of the rooms and the unique, nature-inspired artwork on the walls.

All room types have a large smart TV, minibar, Nespresso machine, and desk. The beds are comfy with extra plush duvets, and the bathrooms are large with nice walk-in showers, hair dryers, and comfy bathrobes. The hotel is walking distance to main sights like the Templo de Debod and Royal Palace, but you’re also just steps from a metro station so it’s easy to get across the city too.

6. VP Plaza España Design

This five-star hotel has a strong focus on art and design, with a private art collection made up of more than 300 original works by over a dozen artists. It’s located right on Plaza España (one of the city’s main plazas). The 12th-floor Gingko rooftop bar offers spectacular views over the entire city, great cocktails, and live music every week. The hotel restaurant serves an excellent breakfast buffet and there’s also a plunge pool, sauna, luxurious spa, and fitness center.

There are nine different types of rooms and suites to choose from here (including rooms with a private terrace, and others that have an elliptical and stationary bike). All are spacious and soundproofed, decorated with curated artwork and fresh flowers. In-room amenities include a minibar, desk, Nespresso machine, Bluetooth speakers, flatscreen TV with Chromecast, and 24-hour room service. The beds are super comfy and there are both blackout blinds as well as a pillow menu so that you can get a good night’s sleep. The bathrooms are large too, with a towel warmer, complimentary luxury toiletries, rainfall shower with excellent water pressure, and a separate bathtub. You won’t want for anything here!

7. Four Seasons Madrid

This five-star hotel is spread across seven historic buildings in the center of the city. I especially love the grand two-story lobby with its marble floors, ornate chandeliers, and intricately carved woodwork. While you’re just steps away from all of the city’s main attractions, there’s tons to do at the hotel too, with a beautiful indoor pool, spa, and 24/7 fitness center. There are several eateries here, including an award-winning cocktail bar and rooftop bar/restaurant. The breakfast buffet is fantastic as well.

The rooms here are fit for royalty, decorated in cream tones with contemporary art on the wall and lots of natural light from the large windows. All rooms include an array of furniture, including a chaise longue, desk, dining table, and amenities like a coffee maker, flatscreen TV, and minibar. The marble bathrooms are just as elegant, furnished with a deep bathtub and separate shower, thick terry bathrobes and slippers, and luxurious toiletries. There’s also a nightly turndown service as well as room service available 24/7. If you want to splurge, this is the hotel for you.

The sunny capital of Spain has so many things to see and do (and eat!) that you’ll be able to hard-pressed to fit them all in. But no matter how long you visit for, be sure to pick one of the hotels above. Do that, and you’ll have an unforgettable stay in one of the greatest cities in Europe!