by Each hotel was independently reviewed and selected. We will earn a commission if you book through the links below, but this does not affect our rating.
Our expert writers are usually hosted on a complimentary basis to get the personal experience necessary for their review.
Staying in a small, stylish hotel adds something special to a stay in Spain, and certainly in a city like Madrid as it offers a much-needed more personal insider experience. These recommendations include properties with the best rooftop bars, restaurants and spare spaces. Some have a private club atmosphere, providing a welcome refuge from the frantic city vibe. They are all centrally located in smart neighborhoods, such as Salamanca and Salesas – with plenty of shops and places to eat and drink – or are close to Retiro park and the Prado museum. Here is our selection of the best hotels in Madrid.
How we review
Each hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, and is usually hosted on a free basis. They stay for at least one night, test at least one meal and try other experiences the hotel may have.
At a glance, the best boutique hotels in Madrid
The Heritage is a hotel where you can relax in an exquisite interior, sip champagne and eat oysters on the secret roof terrace, then slip out to Madrid’s best restaurants and boutiques. The interior is inspired by the hotel’s glamorous heritage and its location in the affluent neighborhood of Salamanca. A blue and gray palette is used in some rooms and soft green tones in others, with hand painted gold wallpaper, antique furniture and smart lighting creating unique and unusual settings. Guests are made to feel completely at ease. Haroma restaurant, overseen by Mario Sandoval, who has two Michelin stars at Coque in Madrid, is excellent value and has a beautiful conservatory-style bar for afternoon tea and drinks.
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The Urso is in the elegant Salesas district of Madrid, a few minutes’ walk from the trendy neighborhoods of Malasaña and Chueca. The palatial building of the early 20th century, designed by the architect Antonio Obrador, has preserved many original features, such as the tiles on the facade, a mahogany elevator and the stained glass windows on the staircase. Rooms, decorated in soothing champagne and teal shades, have sumptuous beds and high-quality sheets. The Spa Natura Bissé is everything an urban spa should be, with a hydromassage pool. Casa Felisa restaurant is a popular and fashionable place to eat, serving Spanish specialties with a contemporary touch.
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For those looking for one of the nicest places to stay in the city, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful hotel, with effortless interior design and a great location in Chueca’s thumping bar. The hotel is in a former palace dating back to the 19th century, all arched windows, juliette balconies, shutters and sashes. Expect an eclectic mix of oversized lamps and vases, retro sofas, art books and 1970s-style coffee tables in the public spaces. The chic rooms have studded bed frames, navy blue walls and old maps of Madrid on the walls. The restaurant has a romantic setting for a tapas dinner, while the warm, wood-panelled bar is the perfect spot for a classic cocktail night out.
• The best hotels in Madrid
The Santo Mauro is large, tasteful and popular with celebrities who want to keep a low profile. The former palace (now part of the luxury Marriott’s Collection) is in Chamberí, a quiet, leafy area frequented by locals for its constellation of tapas bars and restaurants. The hotel is surrounded by peaceful gardens with chestnut and eucalyptus trees, ideal for sipping a long drink in the shade. All the rooms look different and are distributed between the Palace, the former stables and an annex. Abstract artwork and wooden floors create a contemporary luxe vibe. Acclaimed chef Rafa Peña heads up La Biblioteca Gresca restaurant in the oak-paneled library. You can also eat in the Art Deco-style Wine Bar Gresca.
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The Totem exudes a discreet urban chic from its location on one of the highest corners of the city in the Salamanca district and is one of the best boutique hotels in Madrid. Charcoal, teal, dusky pink, cherry, navy and purple all play a part in the color scheme, popping against a palette of shimmery neutrals. Bedrooms are a cocoon of minimalist luxury, where all the materials are of the highest quality, from the soft honey baths to the mid-century style sideboards with Nespresso machines and built-in minibars. El Pimiento Verde restaurant specializes in Basque cuisine and is a favorite among people working or shopping in the neighborhood.
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In a city of long days, late nights and riotous fun, the Orfila is a quiet haven where you can relax before it all starts again. Family-owned, with only 32 rooms, you feel like a guest of an eclectic old Doña who lives there, but is rarely seen. The location, on the edge of three districts, is perfect for seeing the many sides of Madrid. It is within walking distance of Retiro park, the Prado museum and the upmarket shopping areas of Goya and Serrano. Rooms are done in a traditional style – even the lower categories are spacious and have balconies with views of the gardens. Guests will spend a lot of time in the beautiful terraced garden. One particular highlight is the breakfast buffet, overflowing with Spanish cheese tortillas, jamón and crisp, dry cava.
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The Único is about good design and great service. The hotel enjoys a swish location on one of Madrid’s most exclusive streets, and is surrounded by the smart shops and upscale restaurants of Salamanca. The aesthetic is nothing if not dramatic, with swirling black-and-white mosaic floors combining different types of marble, and a striking red sculpture hanging in the staircase. Rooms have a similarly contrasting look; The best category to book is a fully-featured high-floor room, with pitched ceilings and skylights. Ramon Freixa restaurant has earned two Michelin stars for its elegant and modern Spanish cuisine, making it a top choice for foodies. He is also in charge of breakfast, which is served in part of the restaurant and on the attractive covered terrace in the garden.
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The Principal is popular with the media and fashion crowd, as well as anyone who wants to be able to walk everywhere. With comfortable rooms and a calm color scheme, it is a convenient haven at the beginning of Gran Vía, the main thoroughfare through the center of Madrid. The high ceilings and large windows in the rooms have a soothing effect as soon as you walk in, as does the elegant charcoal gray and black color scheme. The chic roof terrace is one of the most coveted spots in Madrid for a drink in the summer – it has the feeling of a private club in New York or London. The restaurant is overseen by Ramon Freixa, who has two Michelin stars for his restaurant at the Único.
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The 7 Charles makes a refreshing change from chain hotels, partly because of its refreshing locale of Triball, part of Malasaña noble with some of the city’s coolest bars and boutiques. The staff will go the extra mile to help you have a real experience, instead of typical tourist activities. Everything in the rooms is custom, such as the leather and woven steel headboards designed by Matías Carbia and the bronze hooks with small sculptures of children’s hands and feet, designed by Ignacio del Toro. Don’t leave without enjoying a drink at 7 Craft Bar: where the cocktails are made with spirits infused with botanicals to create unique flavors.
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You feel like you are sleeping in an art gallery at this elegant and discreet boutique hotel where the emphasis is on attentive service. The prestigious gallery Álvaro Alcázar has filled the hotel with amazing contemporary art, including pieces by well-known artists Rafael Canogar, Guillem Nadal and Simon Edmondson. It is a favorite of regular visitors to Madrid, especially from the creative industries, due to its convenient but non-touristy location (right next to Plaza de Colón) and well-designed rooms, which include references to historic Madrid scenes, abstract paintings and lithographs. Reserve a top-floor suite for the spacious terraces with stunning views of the city.
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This handsome 19th century townhouse is a chic haven that allows you to escape from city life. It overlooks the Puerta de Alcala, one of the most important monuments in Madrid, and is happily removed from the hectic downtown to stand in front of El Retiro park. The distinctive cornices and moldings in the bedrooms are a reflection of the days when this was a large private residence; The Duplex room comes with a sleeping area under the eaves and is ideal for a romantic break. The delightful Bodyna Spa has a relaxation pool and steam room, and a wide selection of treatments. The best place to unwind after a massage is the Malvar restaurant and tapas bar in the hotel, which has terrace tables on the square.
Contributions by Jade Conroy
