Madrid Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel Review

Opened in 1912 under the auspices of King Alfonso XIII, the Madrid Palace Hotel was one of the largest and most modern hotels in Europe. It was the first hotel in Spain to have a private bathroom and telephone in every room.

It has been a favorite among points travelers for more than two decades. Back in TPG’s early days, founder Brian Kelly frequented the hotel, then a Westin, because he could earn and redeem Starwood Preferred Guest points. (A moment of silence for SPG, now part of Marriott Bonvoy.)

Now a member of the Marriott Luxury Collection, the hotel has restored its grandeur after a two-year, €90 million ($105 million) overhaul and looks as spectacular as ever. Although the spectacular facade appears to have changed little, keen eyes will notice a new terracotta color that highlights its floral stucco decorations that remain true to the building’s original appearance, among other notable changes.

I stopped by the end of 2025 to see all the changes firsthand and I can say again that this is one of the most important hotels I recommend in Europe.

Here’s what you can expect the next time you stay at the Palace Hotel, Madrid, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

madrid royal palace location

The Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid is located in the Spanish capital’s Golden Triangle. It’s across the street from the Prado Museum and just a block from the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. The center of Puerta del Sol is a 10-minute walk away, and many of the city’s other monuments are also within walking distance.

The drive to and from Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) takes 25 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs approximately €30 (USD 35). The hotel is also close to several major metro lines.

Outstanding features

• It offers an excellent location for both business and leisure travelers.
• Spacious rooms with beautiful new furniture.
• The hotel’s dining venue, La Cupula Restaurant and Bar, remains a place to see and be noticed.

shortcoming

• For a hotel of this size there should be more bars and restaurants.
• During the busy summer months, house prices can reach astronomical figures.
• The hotel has 470 rooms and suites, so you won’t get that “boutique” feel here.

Rooms and suites at Madrid Palace Hotel

The hotel’s rooms overlook the central courtyard, Plaza Cortez, Plaza Canovas del Castillo (with its famous Neptune Fountain) or a side street.

My palace suite was in a corner on the fourth floor, so it was a bit of a walk from the elevator. But that just means this location is very quiet.

At 613 square feet, the hotel has a palatial feel, which seems especially appropriate considering the hotel is called a “palace.”

Lazaro Rosa-Violan Studio was responsible for the renovation of the hotel accommodation. The studio’s other projects include the Cotton House and Edition Hotel in Barcelona (both part of Marriott Hotels).

The new look is stylish and welcoming. My living room has elegant parquet floors and a cultured marble fireplace beneath a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. It also has a simple circular section surrounded by an oversized landscape print and a beautiful marble-topped coffee table.

I particularly love the green velvet throw pillows and the tufted stool with gold fringe. They bring a regal yet cheeky tone to the room.

Through the doorway, the bedroom houses a neat king-size bed; its wood and leather headboard references traditional Castilian wood and leather working techniques. Meanwhile, the hand-painted tree pattern on the wallpaper behind it alludes to the tree-lined pathways of nearby Retiro Park and the Royal Spanish Tapestry Factory. It’s all topped off with intricate crown molding.

The wardrobe, although small, had enough space for my huge suitcase and had two hanging shelves and drawers.

The bathrooms are clad in marble in cream and brown tones – a continuation of the hotel’s previous look. However, it features new brass light fixtures and faucets and, more strikingly, a blue and white Talavera tiled backsplash depicting an aerial view of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

There is also a walk-in shower and a wide range of Le Chemin byredo products for hair and skin.

The overall aesthetic of the room is fresh and fun, smart but not cloying, paying homage to the hotel’s royal lineage.

Madrid Palace Restaurant and Bar

The palace currently has two open restaurants and bars.

la cupra

The hotel’s main hub is its central restaurant, La Cupula, named for the stunning stained glass dome atop it.

Originally designed by Eduard Ferres i Puig and manufactured by the Maumejean Brothers studio, which also helped create some of the stained glass masterpieces in Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia. All of the dome’s 1,875 glass panels were painstakingly restored and reassembled to incredible effect.

The space also feels fresher now, thanks to a palm-shaped brass and crystal chandelier hanging from the multi-sided marble bar. Previous guests may recognize it from its previous location in the reception area – although it was originally located in La Cupula.

The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so you’ll probably have a meal or two here. The breakfast buffet ($53 per person) is absolutely sumptuous, with plenty of fresh fruit, homemade pastries and Iberian specialties including a variety of cheeses, cuts of meat and more. You can also order a range of hot drinks and egg dishes.

As for other meals, you’ll find chef Nuno Matos’s creative takes on Spanish and other continental classics, such as cod “churros” with peri peri seaweed salt ($16) and marinated scallops with cauliflower cream and nut vinaigrette ($25). Plus, there are tried-and-true dishes like juicy beef Wellington ($101).

27club

Named after a generation of intellectuals who once frequented the property, Club 27 is the hotel’s cozy wood-paneled lounge (with its own etched-glass ceiling). It is decorated with various sketches and letters from famous people such as Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Picasso.

In addition to snacks like traditional tacos ($14) and a variety of caviar, the bar also offers a selection of Prohibition-inspired cocktails, such as the 1912 John Collins with Tanqueray gin, chamomile, lemon and pomegranate ($24).

Madrid Royal Palace Facilities and Services

Located on the seventh and top floors, accessible by its own elevator, the hotel houses a spa with a treatment room and experiences using Twelve Beauty and Nescens products. The hotel also has a small gym with free weights and Technogym cardio equipment.

For business travelers or those planning an event, the hotel’s event space on the ground floor near La Cupula has also been carefully restored and is available in a variety of sizes.

For such a large hotel, the service is refreshingly warm and personal. Doormen are always available to help with luggage (or just shopping bags), and front desk and concierge staff can help with everything from last-minute restaurant reservations to suggestions for the most interesting museums to visit.

Madrid Royal Palace Disability Facilities

Despite its historic architecture, the Royal Palace of Madrid is easily accessible. Public areas are wheelchair accessible with ramps and elevators; however, corridors leading to some accommodation or fitness centers can be long.

The hotel offers wheelchair accessible Deluxe, Superior, Palace and Palace Suites. As always, please contact the hotel directly to ensure its space and accommodations meet your specific accessibility requirements.

Madrid Royal Palace booking details

The Royal Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Madrid, has up to 470 rooms and suites, occupying most of the city block, and has more than a dozen types of rooms and suites.

Deluxe rooms start at €300 ($352) per night or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points. The palace suite I stayed in (which overlooked a side street and a nearby church) started at about 266,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or €1,011 ($1,188 per night).

To make the most of your stay, consider the following Marriott Bonvoy co-branded cards:

All come with lucrative welcome offers, automatic granting of elite status, and higher income levels at Marriott properties.

Alternatively, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned through a card, e.g. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (See Rates & Fees) Pay directly to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio so you can easily earn award nights.

The hotel is part of American Express Hotels + Resorts. So if you have American Express Platinum Card® or American Express Business Platinum Card®you can book through the Amex Travel website and receive benefits such as upgrades based on availability, up to $100 in credit that can be used on-property during your stay (such as drinks or meals), free daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4pm late checkout.

check out

After a two-year overhaul, the Palace Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Madrid, looks as spectacular as ever. It has truly magnificent public spaces and rooms that give it a unique Madrid feel thanks to creative elements such as botanical-themed wallpaper and Talavera tiles in the bathrooms.

With rates starting at just under 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, this hotel is also an exceptional value for points travelers looking for an upscale experience in the heart of the Spanish capital.

Related reading: