Hotel Único Madrid

"Blink twice, and you might miss the entrance to this unassuming hotel, tucked away behind sliding doors on a polished Salamanca street. A marble staircase leads up to sizeable rooms and bathrooms, where windows galore open to the quiet garden courtyard or the main street in front. What sets this apart, however, is the Ramon Freixa Madrid dining room, which has two Michelin stars and the menu creativity to prove it—fallow deer loin with blueberry and pomegranate demi-glace or sole fish steamed in pine with its skins in cava wine, anyone? Make a reservation weeks in advance, otherwise, dozens of Madrileños will beat you to it. For those unable to secure a spot at the dinner table, never fear: the chef also oversees the breakfast spread."

"The Hotel Único isn’t fooling around. For all the pops of color and geometric modern sculptures scattered throughout, the cutting-edge technology in rooms, extensive book and DVD library, and whimsical cocktails and creative takes on Spanish classics, this stately 19th-century townhouse in Madrid ’s ritzy Salamanca neighborhood is one of the city’s most grown-up hotels. It would have to be, to be home to a two-Michelin-starred restaurant that’s regularly hailed as the city’s best. And each high-ceilinged, wood-floored room and suite—decorated in celebrated designer Pau Guardans’ black-and-white take on Mad Men —shouts sultry rendezvous rather than drop-and-go crash pad. A haven in the bustling capital, the serene manicured gardens with mesmerizing Spanish guitar performances by evening aren’t meant to be traversed by screaming children, nor are the living room–like library and free treat–stocked lounge intended for raucous parties—which would explain why they’re open to guests only, so you can sip scotch and lounge well into the wee hours. So, no, the Hotel Único isn’t fooling around, but it sure knows how to have a good time."

"Why did this hotel catch your attention?Ramon Freixa Madrid, one of the city's most famous Michelin-starred restaurants, brings in the crowds, but Hotel Único Madrid is no slouch in its own right, with swanky public spaces (including a magnificent lipstick-red sculpture hanging from the ceiling). Beyond that, this posh Salamanca hotel delivers on everything that makes this neighborhood come alive: fashion, elegance, and residential design. What's the backstory?The building dates back to the 19th century, and if the hotel feels more like a residence, that's because it used to be just that. These days, Hotel Único offers something distinctive and hardly cookie-cutter. Tell us all about the accommodations.Rooms are far from showy and further the public spaces' cozy, clubby feel. The space has clearly been designed for an international crowd—you'll notice various types of power outlets—and have Egyptian cotton sheets, subdued color palettes, and hardwood accents. Finca Gayeta toiletries are a highlight in the tiled bathrooms. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?WiFi is fast and free. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?"Art meets gastronomy": That's how the two-Michelin-starred Ramon Freixa Madrid bills its fare. The tasting menus will set you back quite a bit, especially if you splurge on a wine pairing, but avid foodies swear the outlay is worth it for dishes like red prawn and confit duck inside a marinated lime and souffle bread with ham and caviar. Oh, and it's not every day that a Michelin-star chef also oversees your breakfast, so be sure to book a room rate where that meal is included. And the service?Personalized, thorough, and seamless. What type of travelers will you find here?Country club members clink glasses with well-heeled business travelers that eschew big brands for something small and original. The restaurant attracts lots of visiting Spaniards. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene?Salamanca is one of the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods, and Hotel Único couldn’t have been better designed for any other area of town. Is there anything you'd change?With only 44 rooms, the hotel rarely discounts its rates. It would also be nice if guests received priority reservations at the restaurant. Any other hotel features worth noting?If you book a room directly through the hotel, you can borrow a 4G WiFi device to use around town. And the hotel curates a monthly playlist for the public areas; if you really like what you're hearing, you can find it on Spotify. Any parting thoughts?Now that Small Luxury Hotels of the World has joined forces with the World of Hyatt loyalty program, the perks are easier than ever to attain." - Ramsey Qubein

"Ramon Freixa Madrid, one of the city's most famous Michelin-starred restaurants, really brings in the crowds, but Hotel Único Madrid is no slouch in its own right, with swanky public spaces (including a magnificent lipstick-red sculpture hanging from the ceiling). Beyond that, this posh Salamanca hotel delivers on everything that makes this neighborhood come alive: fashion, elegance, and residential design. Rooms have clearly been designed for an international crowd—you'll notice various types of power outlets. Salamanca is one of the city’s most fashionable neighborhoods, and Hotel Único couldn’t have been better designed for any other area of town." - Ramsey Qubein