More opulent than ever: A review of the refreshed Palace Hotel Madrid
Editor's Note
When it opened in 1912 under the auspices of King Alfonso XIII, Madrid's Palace Hotel was among the largest and most modern hotels in all of Europe. It was the first in Spain to offer a private bathroom and a telephone in every room.
It has also been a favorite among points travelers for over two decades now. Back in the early days of TPG, founder Brian Kelly would regularly visit the hotel, which was a Westin at the time, since he could earn and redeem Starwood Preferred Guest points. (A moment of silence for SPG, which has since become part of Marriott Bonvoy.)
Now, the hotel has joined Marriott's Luxury Collection and is looking as spectacular as ever thanks to a sweeping two-year, 90 million-euro ($105 million) renovation that has restored much of its grandeur. Though the spectacular facade looks much the same, discerning eyes will notice a new terra-cotta color highlighting its floral stucco adornments that are true to the building's original look, among other notable changes.
I stopped by just before the end of 2025 to see all the changes for myself, and I can once again say that this is one of my top points hotel recommendations in Europe.
Here's what's in store for you on your next stay at The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid.
Palace Madrid location
The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid is in the Spanish capital's Golden Triangle. It is across the street from the Prado museum and down the block from the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. The central Puerta del Sol is a 10-minute walk away, and many of the city's other monuments are within easy walking distance.
The drive to or from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas International Airport (MAD) takes between 25 and 40 minutes, depending on traffic, and it costs about 30 euros ($35). The hotel is also near several major metro lines.
Standout features
- It offers an excellent location for both business and leisure travelers.
- Spacious guest rooms have beautiful new furnishings.
- The hotel's dining venue, La Cupula Restaurant and Bar, is still the place to see and be seen.
Drawbacks
- For a hotel this size, there could be more bars and restaurants.
- Room rates can be astronomical during the busy summer months.
- The hotel has 470 rooms and suites, so you won't get that "boutique" feel here.
Palace Madrid rooms and suites
Rooms at the hotel overlook either the central courtyard, the Plaza de las Cortes, the Plaza de Canovas del Castillo (with the famous Neptune Fountain) or a side street.
My Palace Suite was at one of the corners of the fourth floor, so it was a hike from the elevators. That just meant the location was ultra quiet, though.
At 613 square feet, it felt positively palatial, which seemed particularly appropriate given the hotel is called the Palace.
Lazaro Rosa-Violan Studio oversaw the redecoration of the hotel's accommodations. The studio's other projects include Barcelona's Cotton House and Edition hotels (both also part of Marriott).
The new look is sleek yet homey. My living room featured classy parquet wooden floors and a faux marble fireplace under the wall-mounted flat-screen television. It also had a simple, rounded sectional framed by an oversized landscape print and a beautiful marble-topped coffee table.
I especially liked the green velvet throw pillows and tufted stool with gold fringing. They gave the room a regal but cheeky tone.
Through the doorway, the bedroom held a tidy king-size bed; its wood and leather headboard referenced traditional Castilian wood- and leather-working. Meanwhile the hand-painted tree motifs on the wallpaper behind it alluded to the leafy pathways of nearby El Retiro Park as well as Spain's Royal Tapestry Factory. This was all framed by intricate crown molding.
Though small, the closet had enough space for my enormous suitcase and held two hanging racks plus drawers.
The bathroom was clad in cream- and brown-toned marble — a holdover from the hotel's former look. However, it featured new brass light fixtures and faucets and, even more eye-catching, there was a tiled backsplash of blue and white Talavera tiles depicting an aerial view of the Royal Botanical Gardens.
There was also a walk-in shower and plenty of Le Chemin by Byredo products for hair and skin on hand.
The overall aesthetic of the room felt fresh and fun, with clever but not cloying nods to the hotel's royal pedigree.
Palace Madrid restaurants and bars
The Palace currently has two open restaurants and bars.
La Cupula
The main hub of the hotel is its central restaurant, La Cupula, which is named for the breathtaking stained-glass dome that crowns it.
Originally designed by Eduard Ferres i Puig and manufactured by Maumejean Brothers studio, which also helped create some of the stained-glass masterpieces at Barcelona's Basilica de la Sagrada Familia. All 1,875 of the dome's glass panes have been painstakingly restored and reassembled to incredible effect.
The space also feels fresher now, thanks to a multisided marble bar overhung by a palm-shaped brass and crystal chandelier. Former guests might recognize it from its prior placement in the reception area — though it was originally in La Cupula.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you're likely to have a meal or two here. The breakfast buffet ($53 per person) is absolutely sumptuous, with plenty of fresh fruit, house-made pastries and Iberian specialties including various cheeses, cuts of meat and more. You can also order from a selection of hot drinks and egg dishes.
As for the other meals, you'll find creative takes on Spanish dishes and other continental classics courtesy of chef Nuno Matos, such as cod "churros" with peri peri seaweed salt ($16) and cured scallops with cauliflower cream and nut vinaigrette ($25). Plus, there are tried-and-true dishes like a juicy beef Wellington ($101).
27 Club
Named after the generation of intellectuals who once frequented it, 27 Club is the hotel's cozy, wood-paneled lounge (with its own etched-glass ceiling). It's decorated with various sketches and letters from luminaries such as Federico Garcia Lorca and Pablo Picasso.
In addition to small bites like traditional tortilla ($14) and various caviar offerings, the bar offers a slate of Prohibition-inspired cocktails like a 1912 John Collins with Tanqueray gin, chamomile, lemon and pomegranate ($24).
Palace Madrid amenities and service
Up on the seventh and top floor, accessible via its own elevator, the hotel has a spa with a single treatment room for experiences that utilize Twelve Beauty and Nescens products. It also offers a small gym with weights and Technogym cardio equipment.
For business travelers or those planning an event, the hotel's event spaces on the ground floor adjacent to La Cupula have also been gorgeously restored and come in a variety of sizes.
For a hotel this large, the service is refreshingly warm and personalized. Doormen are always on hand to help with luggage (or just shopping bags), and the front-desk and concierge staff can help with everything from last-minute restaurant reservations to advice on the most interesting museums to visit.
Palace Madrid accessibility
Despite its historic architecture, the Palace Madrid is fully accessible. Public areas are all wheelchair-friendly thanks to ramps and elevators; however, the hallways to some of the accommodations or to the fitness center can be very long.
The hotel offers wheelchair-accessible accommodations in the Deluxe, Premium and Palace room categories as well as in the Palace Suite. As always, contact the hotel directly to ensure that its spaces and accommodations meet your specific accessibility requirements.
Palace Madrid booking details
The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid has a whopping 470 rooms and suites, occupies the better part of a city block and has over a dozen categories of rooms and suites.
Those in the Deluxe category start at 300 euros ($352) or 56,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. The Palace Suite I stayed in (which overlooked a side street and a nearby church) begins at about 266,000 Marriott Bonvoy points or 1,011 euros ($1,188 per night).
To make the most of your stay, consider the following Marriott Bonvoy cobranded cards:
- Marriott Bonvoy Bevy® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Bold® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
- Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card (see rates and fees)
All of them have lucrative welcome offers, confer automatic elite status and provide elevated earning rates at Marriott properties.
Alternatively, you can transfer Ultimate Rewards points earned on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) directly to Marriott Bonvoy at a 1:1 ratio, which may put an award stay within reach.
The hotel is part of American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts. So, if you have American Express Platinum Card® or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can make a booking through the Amex travel website and receive perks like availability-based upgrades, up to a $100 credit to use on-property during your stay for things like drinks or meals, complimentary daily breakfast for two, and guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout.
Checking out
After a two-year, top-to-toe renovation, the Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid, is looking as spectacular as ever. It boasts truly grand public spaces and rooms that feel uniquely madrileño thanks to creative touches like botanical-themed wallpaper and those Talavera tiles in the bathroom.
With rates that start at less than 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night, the hotel also happens to be an exceptional value for points travelers who want an upscale experience in the heart of the Spanish capital.
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