The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Madrid, Spain
Cortes
Vibe
Porters in capes usher guests into a grand salon where politicians, artists, and locals mingle over vermouth and animated conversation.
“Belle Époque revival”
Commissioned by King Alfonso XIII in 1912, pioneering en-suite bathrooms and telephones behind a restored Belle Époque façade.
A storied Spanish political and literary salon, drawing Dalí, Picasso, and Hemingway to its wood-paneled 27 Club.
Lázaro Rosa-Violán pairs the restored 1,875-pane stained-glass cupola with botanical wallpapers and polished Navona marble bathrooms.
On Plaza de las Cortes overlooking the Neptune Fountain, steps from the Prado and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums.
“The Palace, though, is distinctly old-guard, and though it has been thoroughly restored by its new owners, it is still a vision straight from the Belle Epoque.”
Rooms
Rooms pair botanical wallcoverings and herringbone floors with restored Navona marble bathrooms, overlooking Plaza de las Cortes and the Neptune Fountain.
“The iconic Palace returns with the splendour of a grande dame following a histroic refurbishment”
Wellness
A dedicated fitness center offers rowers, treadmills, and strength gear, alongside quiet treatment rooms for restorative bodywork and beauty therapies.
“There’s a clear effort to preserve the soul of the building while introducing playful, unexpected details.”
Backstory
A field hospital during the Spanish Civil War and longtime refuge for international dignitaries, the grande dame completed a sweeping multi-year restoration in 2025.
Eat & drink
Sunday opera brunches unfold beneath La Cúpula's restored dome, while the wood-paneled 27 Club crafts dry martinis and classic cocktails.
The neighborhood
Set within the UNESCO-listed Landscape of Light, the hotel sits steps from the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Spanish parliament.
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The app
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Our shorthand
What makes a hotel special, how well they pull it off, and what it feels like outside the door.
How well they pull it off
Extremely rare. Sets the global standard.
Brilliant execution. And we’re picky.
They did this well. You’ll notice.
A defining trait. Makes the hotel what it is.
The eight vibes
Architecture and interiors lead. There’s a creative vision at work.
The guest is conspicuously well cared for. Requests met before they’re made.
Rooted in place. Local character runs through the whole stay.
Energy and scene. Where the city goes out, whether or not it’s sleeping here.
A building with history. The story of the place is part of the stay.
Built around feeling better. Rest, sweat, soak, spa.
A hotel the city grew up with. Same rituals, same regulars.
A world of its own. No reason to leave the property.
Scene — what’s outside the door
Where things happen: restaurants, shops, people.
Well-located: walkable to some things, a short ride to more.
Away from the crowds. Getting around takes intention.
A place apart: the property is the destination.