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Our expert writers are often hosted free of charge to gain the first-hand experience they need to review.
Staying in a small and stylish hotel adds something special to staying in Spain, and certainly in a city like Madrid, because it gives you a more personal, insider experience that is often much needed. These recommendations include properties with the best rooftop bars, restaurants and spas. Some have a private club atmosphere and provide a welcome refuge from the crazy city weather. All are centrally located in smart neighborhoods with plenty of shops and eateries, such as Salamanca and Salesas, or close to the Retiro park and the Prado museum. Here are our picks of the best boutique hotels in Madrid.
How do we examine
Every hotel on this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are often hosted free of charge. They stay at least one night, test at least one meal, and try other experiences the hotel has to offer.
Madrid’s best boutique hotels at a glance
The Heritage is a hotel where you can relax in elegant interiors, sip champagne and nibble oysters on the secret rooftop terrace, then escape to Madrid’s best restaurants and boutiques. The interiors are inspired by the hotel’s glorious heritage and location in the affluent Salamanca neighbourhood. Some rooms use a blue and gray palette, while others use soft green tones, while hand-painted gold wallpaper, antique furniture and smart lights create unique and quirky environments. Guests are made to feel completely comfortable. The Haroma restaurant in Madrid’s Coque, run by Mario Sandoval, which has two Michelin stars, is excellent value and has a lovely conservatory-style bar for afternoon tea and drinks.
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Urso is located in Madrid’s elegant Salesas district, a few minutes’ walk from the extremely popular Malasaña and Chueca neighbourhoods. Designed by architect Antonio Obrador, the stately early 20th-century building has preserved many original features, such as the tiles on its facade, the mahogany elevator and the stained glass windows in the staircase. Decorated in soothing shades of champagne and teal, the rooms feature sumptuous beds and high-quality linens. Natura Bissé spa has everything a city spa should have, with its hydromassage pool. Casa Felisa restaurant is a popular and trendy dining venue serving Spanish specialties with a contemporary twist.
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For those looking for one of the coolest places to stay in the city, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful hotel with effortless interior design and a great location in the vibrant neighborhood of Chueca. The hotel is located in a former palace dating back to the 19th century, all with arched windows, juliette balconies, window shutters and awnings. In public spaces, you can expect an eclectic mix of oversized lamps and vases, retro sofas, art books and enviable 1970s-style coffee tables. The stylish rooms feature studded bed frames, dark blue walls and old maps of Madrid on the walls. The restaurant has a romantic setting for a tapas dinner; The warm, wood-paneled bar is a great spot for a classic cocktail on a night out.
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Santo Mauro is majestic, tasteful and popular with celebrities who want to keep a low profile. The old palace (now part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection) is located in Chamberí, a quiet, leafy area frequented by locals for its tapas bars and restaurants. The hotel is surrounded by tranquil gardens with chestnut and eucalyptus trees, ideal for sipping a long drink in the shade. All the rooms look different and are scattered among the palace, the old stables and the annexe. Abstract artwork and wooden floors create a contemporary, luxurious feel. Famous chef Rafa Peña heads La Biblioteca Gresca restaurant in the oak-paneled library. You can also dine at the Art Deco-style Wine Bar Gresca.
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Tótem exudes understated urban chic and is one of Madrid’s best boutique hotels, thanks to its location in the Salamanca district, one of the most luxurious corners of the city. Charcoal, teal, dusky pink, cherry red, navy blue and purple all play a part in the color scheme and stand out against a palette of sparkling neutrals. The bedrooms are cocoons of minimalist luxury, where all materials are high quality, from soft honeycomb robes to mid-century-style sideboards with built-in Nespresso machines and minibars. El Pimiento Verde restaurant specializes in Basque cuisine and is a favorite of people working or shopping nearby.
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In a city of long days, late nights and riotous fun, Orfila is a quiet haven where you can rest before it all begins again. Family-run and with just 32 rooms, you feel like you’re a guest of an eclectic old Doña who lives there but is rarely seen. The location on the border of three districts is perfect for seeing many sides of Madrid. It is within walking distance of the Retiro park, the Prado museum and the Goya and Serrano luxury shopping areas. The rooms are made in traditional style; Even the lower categories are spacious and have balconies with garden views. Most of the guests’ time will be spent in the beautiful terraced garden. A particular highlight is the breakfast buffet, overflowing with Spanish tortilla cheese, jamón and crisp, dry cava.
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Único’s aim is good design and excellent service. The hotel has a great location on one of Madrid’s most exclusive streets and is surrounded by Salamanca’s stylish shops and upscale restaurants. 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 stairwell. The rooms have been adapted to a similarly contrasting look; The best category to book is a characteristic room on the upper floor with sloping ceilings and skylights. Ramon Freixa’s restaurant has earned two Michelin stars for its elegant, modern Spanish cuisine, making it a top choice for foodies. He is also responsible for breakfast, which is served in a part of the restaurant and on the attractive covered terrace in the garden.
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The manager is popular with the media and fashion world, as well as anyone who wants to walk everywhere. With its comfortable rooms and muted color scheme, it’s a handy haven at the start of Gran Vía, the main street in central Madrid. The high ceilings and large windows in the rooms create a calming effect as soon as you enter, as does the elegant charcoal gray and black color scheme. The stylish rooftop terrace is one of the top spots for a drink in Madrid during the summer months; It has the feel of a private club in New York or London. The restaurant is overseen by Ramon Freixa, who has two Michelin stars for his restaurant in Único.
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7 Islas is a refreshing change from chain hotels due to the refreshing Triball district, which is part of the upscale Malasaña, home to some of the city’s coolest bars and boutiques. The staff will go the extra mile to help you have authentic experiences that suit you rather than the usual tourist activities. Everything in the rooms is custom-made, such as the woven leather and steel headboards designed by Matías Carbia and the bronze wall hooks with small sculptures of babies’ hands and feet designed by Ignacio del Toro. Don’t leave without enjoying a drink at 7 Craft Bar: where cocktails are made with spirits tempered with botanicals to create unique flavors.
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You feel like you’re sleeping in an art gallery in this elegant and modest boutique hotel, where attentive service is prioritized. The prestigious Álvaro Alcázar gallery has filled the hotel with wonderful contemporary art, including works by renowned artists Rafael Canogar, Guillem Nadal and Simon Edmondson. It is a favorite with regular visitors to Madrid, especially those from the creative industries, due to its convenient but non-touristy location (just off the Plaza de Colón) and well-designed rooms that include references to historic Madrid landscapes, abstract paintings and lithographs. Book the top floor suite for spacious terraces with stunning city views.
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This beautiful 19th-century townhouse is a stylish retreat that allows you to escape city life. Overlooking Puerta de Alcala, one of Madrid’s most important monuments, the hotel is pleasantly away from the lively city center with its location opposite El Retiro park. The prominent moldings and moldings in the bedrooms are remnants of the days when this was a large private residence; Duplex room with sleeping area under the eaves is ideal for a romantic break. The delightful Bodyna Spa features a relaxation pool, steam room and extensive treatment menu. The best place to unwind after your massage is Malvar restaurant and tapas bar with terrace tables in the hotel’s square.
Contributed by Jade Conroy