Standing proudly on the corner of calles Sevilla and Alcalá, the Canadian-based group’s first hotel in Spain is part of a large project that includes private residences, shops and an upscale food hall, and the building’s ornate 19th-century façade and opulent interiors have been preserved, including the double-height lobby with its ivy-green marble columns and stained-glass roof. Everything breathes quality, from the solid walnut floors and Alpujarra carpets to the faultless sound-proofing and refreshingly user-friendly lighting systems – there’s a delicate touch in the design that seems just right for an age that has tired of glitz. Art in the hotel, nearly 1,500 pieces, is the handiwork of budding Spanish artists and students invited to show off their talents in the hotel. For many, this became their first big break, leading to more projects. The property is home to the city’s largest wellness centre spanning four floors with a glamorously sunlit indoor pool, outdoor terrace and modern fitness centre. Service manages the deft trick of being both briskly efficient and charmingly Spanish with requests just a text message away. The Four Seasons sets the bar high but clears it without breaking a sweat. For more, see our full Four Seasons Hotel Madrid review. By Paul Richardson
Address: Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Sevilla, 3, Centro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá
This building has held many roles (convent and ducal palace among them), and now it is one of the city’s top hotels. Large-scale works from famed Spanish artist Diego Velázquez hang throughout and blend well with designer furnishings that would not look out of place in a modern-day palace. Sit-down reception is an indicator of the upscale attention to detail here, but those booking Red-Level accommodations are in for a treat. They gain access to a private lounge for all-day refreshments (including bottomless Cava), light snacks and breakfast. You can’t get much more central than this: the Royal Palace is down the street, and Gran Via’s effervescent lights and 24-hour energy is a short walk in the other direction. It’s easy to be tempted to wander off for a meal, but it would be a shame not to dine in the former stables here, now a restaurant run by the Torres brothers (known for their Michelin-starred restaurant in Barcelona). The quality here is just as on point. You needn’t stress over the price of dinner because anyone that joins the loyalty program of The Leading Hotels of the World (this hotel is a member) is treated to complimentary breakfast for two each morning of their stay.
Address: Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá, Cuesta de Sto. Domingo, 5, 28013 Madrid, Spain