Nestled in a former royal palace, this lavish 1910 hotel boasts chic rooms, exquisite dining, and exceptional service, all just steps from the Prado.
"Mandarin Oriental knows that its Madrid outpost will forever be known simply as “The Ritz”—our Ritz, the one inaugurated with pomp by King Alfonso XIII in 1910; the one that welcomed Grace Kelly and Rainier of Monaco during their honeymoon; and the one where Mata Hari, Salvador Dalí, and countless other stars caroused. After its remodeling and reopening in 2021, The Ritz is now even more Ritz-like than ever, thanks to Mandarin Oriental. Storied Madrid architecture firm Rafael de La-Hoz and French interior designers Gilles & Boissier (whose touch graced the Baccarat Hotel New York) had the challenging task of reinventing the hotel while holding onto a certain spirit. The most striking detail was the recovery of the great glass vault of the Palm Court, the social heart of the building, which had been concealed for 80 years, and the opening of the enormous doors that connect, physically—and emotionally—to the Museo del Prado (the great art gallery is so close you can almost touch it). But other magical corners abound. My favorites include The Beauty Concept spa, with its spectacular indoor pool, treatment cabins, and fitness trainers; the timeless counter of the Pictura cocktail bar, where I’ve spent endless hours watched over by gilt-framed oils; Deessa, chef Quique Dacosta’s artistic restaurant, which has gained two Michelin stars in two years; and the rare oasis that is the hotel garden. To eat Dacosta’s paella here, under the city’s eternal blue sky, has become a defining Madrid experience at what remains a quintessential hotel. —David Moralejo"
"Mandarin Oriental Ritz, a historic Belle Époque hotel, is located in Madrid’s Golden Triangle. It offers elegant rooms and extensive culinary options, including the Deessa restaurant, where chef Quique Dacosta presents exquisite creative dishes." - The MICHELIN Guide
"In Madrid, you’ll find Key hotels largely in historic 19th or 20th century facades. Places like Santo Mauro, in a former Duke’s 1895 neoclassical mansion, or the Ritz, a Belle Époque palace that dates back to King Alfonso XIII." - The MICHELIN Guide
"Its building is a monumental Belle Époque structure, and its location is within the famous Golden Triangle, with its three distinguished museums: Museo del Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía." - The MICHELIN Guide
"More than a century after its founding by the legendary hotelier César Ritz, this Belle Époque palace remains central to the Spanish capital’s hospitality scene. King Alfonso XIII was instrumental to its establishment — and the architecture, both inside and out, is nothing short of monumental. The hotel’s rooms and suites, even today, are suitably old-world in their inspiration, though a 2021 renovation has ensured they’re anything but old-fashioned. The named suites, naturally, are the most ornate, and the most over-the-top luxurious; even the entry-level rooms, however, are first-rate in their comforts, and subtly modern in their details." - The MICHELIN Guide
