The Best Bed and Breakfasts to Book in Madrid

You can hardly get closer to the action than this bed and breakfast in Madrid: Artistic B&B is right in the centre of the Spanish capital. It’s in the literary district, where the buildings are painted yellow and orange and fronted by elaborate wrought-iron balconies. Rooms are likewise colourful, with jazzily bright appliqué bedspreads, tapestries on the walls and mosaic tiling in the bathrooms. Shuttered, shabby chic French doors open onto street-facing balconies.

A beautiful, stately, Art Nouveau building dating from the 19th century, with arched wrought-iron doors and balconies with views, this is amongst the grandest of all choices for a bed and breakfast in Madrid, next to Retiro Park. The dining room is especially stylish, with interlocking art-deco wallpaper and Eiffel chairs. Rooms are modern and have animal print textiles, and some have huge whirlpool baths. There are free bikes and e-scooters, and you can even bring your pet.

If you really want to have a local experience while staying at a Madrid bed and breakfast, Somosaguas is a great choice. The outdoor pool is a godsend if you happen to be visiting during Madrid’s long hot summer, and accommodation is in a thoroughly modern apartment, which has a terrace overlooking the gardens. It’s in the prosperous suburb of Pozuelo de Alarcón, an easy hop to central Madrid by metro and bus. Particular plaudits are given to the owner’s homemade Spanish and continental breakfasts.

If you want to stay in one of Madrid’s liveliest neighbourhoods, Only YOU Boutique Hotel is the perfect spot. Adjacent to Chueca, the city’s LGBTQ district and only a few blocks from Gran Vía, the hotel’s location puts you in the thick of the action. Set in a historic 19th-century mansion fully restored to its former glory, this boutique hotel offers comfortable and stylish rooms. Each bedroom is uniquely decorated, with design elements such as leather walls and antique wooden beams. After a long day of sightseeing, relax and unwind with the wellness programmes available in the Thai spa room.

This five-star Madrid hotel lies inside a 19th-century palace decorated with antique, turn-of-the-century furniture. Exuding sophistication and elegance, this historic boutique hotel also offers top-of-the-line 21st-century amenities. Its rooftop terrace is an oasis, away from the bustling city, and the on-site restaurant is highly acclaimed. Book a table at El Jardín de Orfila, and sample the food of world-renowned, two-Michelin-star chef Mario Sandoval.

Travelling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to compromise on location or amenities. Not only is Hostal Central Palace affordable, it also caters to guests’ every whim and is a stone’s throw from the Palacio Real (Royal Palace) and Plaza de Oriente. While the classically designed bedrooms feature neutral tones and wooden floors throughout, breakfast is served at its quintessential Madrileño Café de Oriente, located on the main floor of the hostal.

Located in the multicultural Lavapiés district, Artrip is decidedly contemporary. Housed in a traditional 1900s home, this space is now a modern and sleek guest house with 17 rooms. The decor is minimal and predominantly white, with exposed wooden beams and original windows. Artrip has a rotation of local artists’ work on show in the foyer and is only a 15-minute walk away from Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art.

In the early 17th century, the capital’s literary quarter, Las Letras, was home to Madrid’s first theatres. Therefore, it is entirely fitting that this theatre-inspired hotel lies in the heart of the district. True to its surroundings, each room represents a different aspect of theatre, including one that resembles a vintage dressing room and others inspired by musicals such as Les Misérables and Mamma Mia.