Santo Mauro, A Luxury Collection Hotel

This former duke’s mansion in Madrid’s most elegant residential neighborhood attracts an A-list crowd.

• Privacy for guests in the old stable buildings, accessible without crossing the reception areas
• Morning breakfast in La Biblioteca and a signature cocktail, Casilda, in Gresca Wine Bar (although it is hard to choose whether to enjoy it in the bar or the other two opulent public spaces)
• The bold patterns and velvet curtains in the main residence guest rooms
• Excellent location for business travelers and Salamanca shoppers

When David Beckham and his family decamped to Madrid, they could have easily purchased the grandest mansion in the city. Instead, they checked into the Presidential Suite at the Santo Mauro, where they remained for six months (purportedly running up a bill of nearly $700,000). The hotel has also hosted celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna, and it’s an excellent choice for any sophisticated traveler staying in Spain’s capital city. The discreet property is refined, while still attracting a stylish scene.

Renovated by interior designer Lorenzo Castillo and reopened as Marriott's Luxury Collection in December 2021, the property’s 49 rooms are spread throughout three historic structures, built by the Duke of Santo Mauro in 1894, in the exclusive Chamberí neighborhood of Madrid. The two primary residences served as homes for the Duke’s family while the third housed his stables. These days, all three contain some of the most coveted accommodations in the city. In the beautifully-designed common areas, the neoclassical architecture is accented with Persian carpets, gilded mirrors and antique chandeliers. Volumes of books line the library-turned-restaurant, and even the meeting rooms, situated in the former ballrooms, exude the elegant air of another era.

While the guest rooms in the main residence maintain this design-oriented theme with bold patterns and velvet curtains, no two rooms are exactly alike, and those in the annex residence are entirely different with a modern (albeit a bit bare) design. The stables rooms are in a duplex format. Throughout the property, historic details remain—the château is government protected, down to the doorknobs—and the arched windows, original mirrored doors and crown moldings remind guests that this kind of luxury has been around for ages. Still, the blend of old and new isn’t uncommon in Madrid (check out Hospes Puerta de Alcala and Palacio del Retiro for other examples); it’s just very well executed here.

An additional plus is the property’s garden terrace, wonderful for afternoon drinks or a romantic evening dinner. In the summer, breakfast and lunch are served outside, while during the colder months, guests can enjoy meals at La Biblioteca (the former library of the palace). Guests have access to a fully-equipped fitness center onsite and the new Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie spa with a menu that includes seven exclusive treatments from the prestigious Swiss brand.

Beyond its amenities, the hotel’s location is fantastic for business travelers and shoppers. Still, Paseo de la Castellana, headquarters to banks and consulting firms, is three blocks away, and right across Castellana is the tony shopping district of Salamanca. Sure, the Prado will require a short taxi ride, but that didn’t bother Beckham, and for other travelers who want a relaxed retreat in a city that literally never sleeps, it probably won’t matter either.

Those who can appreciate the design in the public spaces, couples looking for some privacy and businessmen appreciate its proximity to Castellana. Also repeat visitors to the city, due to the hotel’s location. Note: there are very few connecting room options, which may not be ideal for families.