At a Glance
This high-design hotel attracts a hip crowd that appreciates the modern minimalism and location in Madrid’s most sophisticated shopping district.
Indagare Loves
- Sleek contemporary design, with striking touches like open, freestanding bathtubs
- The Bodyna spa, worth a visit on its own
- Ideal location next to top shopping and dining
Review
The combination of classic architecture and modern design isn’t uncommon in Madrid, but the most striking example is the trendy Hospes in the Salamanca neighborhood. Situated in front of the Puerto de Alcalá, just across from the Retiro and a few blocks from shopping and museums, the building housing the hotel dates back to 1883, when it served as the family home of the widow of famed military and political leader General Juan Prim. This hotel is popular among fashionable singles and couples looking for a convenient location and a striking contemporary look. Its 41 rooms feature minimalist decor, in starkly contrasting white and chocolate brown, raised platform beds, silver-lacquered bedside tables and sleek freestanding tubs, some placed within the rooms.
The Hospes has one of Madrid’s best in-hotel spas. The Bodyna occupies three floors in the mansion’s stables, its former function memorialized in brick arches that follow the outline of the horse stalls and contrast with the overall sleek, New Age vibe. Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel, it’s worth booking a treatment here to enjoy a massage, a dip in the swimming-pool-size Jacuzzi and lunch on the pretty inner terrace.
Just a few minutes farther from the museums than the Ritz, Hospes is ideal for visitors who plan to shop and dine their way through Spain’s capital. It sits on the corner of Serrano, Madrid’s equivalent to New York’s Fifth Ave, and the ultra-hip restaurant and lounge Ramses is next door. Don’t expect to survive a stay here without serious retail therapy in the blocks nearby.
Who Should Stay
The Hospes is perfect for couples and singles. Despite some connecting options and a policy of welcoming children, this isn’t the ideal setting for a family.
Written by Henley Vazquez