Santo Mauro, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid

Character and identity

Set in a 19th-century palace once home to the Duke of Santo Mauro, this Chamberí address weaves Madrid's belle époque past into a contemporary luxury hotel. Three historic structures (the noble building, the mansion that housed the duke's daughter, and the converted stables) form the property, recently reimagined by Spanish designer Lorenzo Castillo. Expect fresh flowers daily in the entrance hall, former ballrooms turned lounges (the French-styled Red Lounge and the antique-filled Chinese Lounge), and La Biblioteca Restaurant inside the duke's restored library. The Gin Bar brings an art deco edge that draws Madrid's gourmands, and a private garden offers genuine quiet a few blocks from the main shopping streets.

Who's it for

Bottom line

The pull here is the architecture and public rooms: a genuine ducal palace where breakfast in the old library and drinks in the Gin Bar carry the day. Book it for the setting, not the bedrooms, and reserve a higher category if room product matters to you. Avoid peak spring and autumn weekends when events take over, and prebook the former chapel for a private dinner.