The Quirkiest Places to Stay in Madrid in Autumn

Vincci The Mint is a four-star hotel located right in the heart of Madrid, on the city’s Gran Vía. It has quirky, modern flourishes such as a lack of reception desk – instead guests check in at the bar where they receive a welcome drink along with their room number. Up on the rooftop, guests can chill out with a drink from the hotel’s very own food truck, while enjoying fantastic views over the rooftops of Madrid. Rooms cost from €160 a night.

A trendy boutique hotel, Room Mate Alicia is located right on the buzzing Plaza Santa Ana, one of Madrid’s most popular squares. The former industrial building has been renovated with quirky touches like colourful artwork that breaks up the sleek white walls. There are a range of options, from doubles to the duplex suite that comes with its own terrace and plunge pool (go on, treat yourself) Rooms start at €116 a night.

Not many hotels boast their very own museum, but the luxurious five-star Hotel Urban has a museum of artwork from Papua New Guinea, and art peppers its rooms. The hotel channels Art Nouveau in its design and its glass bar, complete with giant chandelier, is the perfect place for an evening cocktail. Chill out during the day around its pretty rooftop pool for a taste of the high life.

This five-star hotel was designed by some of the world’s most eminent architects, from the late British architect Zaha Hadid, who designed the sci-fi-inspired space club rooms, to French architect Jean Nouvel, who designed the sumptuous presidential suite. Silken Puerta América has a spa, as well as a range of bars and restaurants, including The Observatory, a haute-cuisine restaurant on the top floor with spectacular views.

This hostel-meets-hotel is right in the middle of everything, just off Madrid’s Plaza Mayor. Its designer, boutique style lends it the air of a much swankier place, but as well as cosy, Scandi-inspired doubles and family rooms, guests on a budget can opt for dorms. Its secret rooftop bar is one of the hippest spots in the centre of Madrid, and guests can enjoy free breakfast as well as free tours and bar crawls around the city.

This hotel, in the upmarket Salamanca neighbourhood of Madrid, is themed around famous movies. A haven for film-lovers, the hotel’s rooms are each based around a different famous flick and were designed by a range of international artists. Dormirdcine has single, double and large rooms, as well as its own restaurant specialising in Spanish cuisine. Kick back in the bar, which offers cocktail-making workshops if you want to get creative.

Spend the night in one of Spain’s tallest buildings at Eurostars Madrid Tower, a five-star hotel set in the SyV tower, one of the four huge skyscrapers that dominate the north of Madrid. The majority of the hotel’s rooms, as well as its spa and restaurant, look out over the city, affording guests spectacular views. Relax after a day pounding the pavements with a well-earned massage in the Spa and Health Club, before choosing your pillow from the hotel’s pillow menu to guarantee a good night’s sleep.

If dining to the sound of live opera is your thing, then Hotel Opera is right up your street. Located just opposite Madrid’s Royal Palace, Hotel Opera offers an unforgettable dining experience every Friday and Saturday night, when diners can enjoy Spanish cuisine while opera singers sing live. The hotel has a range of rooms from comfortable doubles and family rooms to its rooftop suite, complete with terrace and hot tub overlooking the Royal Palace.

This LGBT – and hetero-friendly – hotel is located in the heart of Madrid, close to the central Plaza Mayor and literary Barrio de Las Letras. The über-stylish hotel brings a big dose of quirky glamour to the capital; the fun decor is inspired by La Movida Madrileña, the hedonistic countercultural movement that swept Madrid during the late 70s and 80s. Choose double rooms, or one of the hotel’s swanky suites if you want to treat yourself. Relax after a day of sightseeing at Axel’s Sky Bar, its rooftop bar and pool being a perfect retreat in the heart of the city.