Commissioned by King Alfonso XIII at the start of the 20th century, the emblematic Hotel Palace is located on the Art Walk and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a “Landscape of Light”. This area is home to the most representative museums in Madrid - the Prado, Reina Sofía and the Thyssen Bornemisza -, as well as some of the city’s most important monuments and an extensive range of gastronomy with numerous restaurants.
Since 1912, The Palace has occupied the former Palace of the Dukes of Medinaceli and adopted a decoration inspired by the great Parisian buildings of the Belle Epoque, becoming the largest and most luxurious hotel in Europe. Since then, it has been an exceptional witness to the city’s social and cultural life, as well as a political, economic and social reference.
The hotel has been frequented by artists, intellectuals and politicians. Its records feature renowned names such as painter Ignacio de Zuloaga, who made the Palace his home in Madrid, writer Vicente Blasco Ibáñez and even the mysterious Mata-Hari, who lived at the hotel and whose adventurous spirit, some say, still walks certain rooms. Other famous guests include Buster Keaton, Pablo Picasso, Federico García Lorca and Luis Buñuel.
The hotel also welcomed Dolores del Río, Orson Welles with Rita Hayworth, Hemingway and his famous dry martinis and bullfighters such as Belmonte, El Gallo and Manolete, who left the Palace dressed in their bullfighting costumes on their way to Las Ventas bullring. Apparently, one of the hotel’s most interesting guests was a still relatively unknown Salvador Dalí.
In March 2025, following two years of works, the historic Hotel Palace terminated an ambitious refurbishment project, marking its incorporation into the Luxury Collection, one of more than 30 Marriott International exclusive hotel brands, under the name of The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid.
As part of its restoration, its emblematic façade has been restored, recovering the original splendour of 1912. Among the most noteworthy details, the original tones of the façade have been rediscovered, in particular the iconic “Palace colour”, a warm beige that contrasts with ornamental elements in terracotta. The restoration also included the hotel’s stained glass and iron dome, a masterpiece designed in 1912 by Eduardo Ferrés i Puig and built by master glaziers Maumejean.
The interiors of The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid have also been totally redesigned in order to capture the historic essence of the hotel, blending classic luxury with contemporary design. Each space combines
Refinement and unique details create a cosy and elegant atmosphere that transports guests to Madrid of yesteryear. Along this line, the 470 rooms and suites have been redesigned to pay tribute to the classic elegance and history of Madrid.
In terms of gastronomy, the hotel incorporates two new concepts that rewrite its history and consolidate it as an essential meeting point in the city: La Cúpula, a restaurant that redefines the culinary experience in Madrid, and the exclusive 27 Club, a space that pays tribute to its rich heritage, combining art, history and mixology in a unique atmosphere.
Recognition and excellence
In 2023, The Palace was named the best business hotel in Spain at the World Travel Awards and was awarded a Michelin key in 2024, which distinguishes it as exceptional accommodation.
palace_hotel_1.jpg
