Hotel Ritz Madrid: Belle Époque glamour in the city’s Golden Triangle of Art

A century-old grand hotel in royal Madrid

Opened in 1910 at the initiative of King Alfonso XIII, Hotel Ritz Madrid is far more than a place to stay: it is a landmark of luxury hospitality, an architectural and cultural reference point in the Spanish capital. Commissioned to stand alongside Europe’s great grand hotels, it was designed by the French architects Charles Mewès and Arthur Davis, already renowned for their work on the Ritz Paris. From the very beginning, the Ritz Madrid established itself as a showcase for elegance and diplomacy, welcoming royalty, artists and leading intellectuals.

Now owned by the Mandarin Oriental group, the hotel has undergone an extensive three-year renovation, completed in 2021. The restoration was carried out with deep respect for the building’s Belle Époque heritage, while introducing discreet, finely judged contemporary touches. The aim: to preserve the property’s historic soul while meeting the expectations of today’s luxury travellers. Set in Madrid’s prestigious Golden Triangle of Art — between the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza — the hotel enjoys a singular location at the crossroads of the city’s cultural, aristocratic and lively districts.

Like the Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, another jewel of Spain’s grand hotel tradition, the Ritz Madrid evokes a vanished era with timeless grace. Here, however, tradition is experienced in the present tense, in a seamless dialogue between historic splendour and 21st-century comfort.

A guest experience crafted with meticulous care

Staying at Hotel Ritz Madrid means entering a world where every detail is designed to delight the senses and make each moment feel exceptional. On arrival, a white-gloved butler greets guests in the vast lobby, its soaring ceiling adorned with restored frescoes. Service here is discreet yet intuitive, blending Mediterranean warmth with the exacting standards that define Mandarin Oriental.

The 153 rooms and suites, including 53 suites, have been redesigned by French duo Gilles & Boissier. Each one channels classic elegance, with restored cornicing, refined fabrics and bathrooms in white Carrara marble. Behind the opulence, modern comforts are subtly integrated: invisible smart-room technology, high-end bedding and Diptyque bath products.

The most prestigious accommodations, such as the Royal Suite and the Mandarin Suite, offer sweeping views over the Prado Museum or El Retiro Park. Some feature private terraces, ideal for breakfast as the Madrid sun rises. The Clefs d’Or concierge team curates bespoke experiences: private museum visits, behind-the-scenes encounters with local artisans or intimate dinners in contemporary art galleries.

As already mentioned, Hotel Ritz Madrid stands out for the way it balances heritage and modernity. This alchemy shines through in its distinctive style of hospitality, which turns each stay into a lasting memory.

Belle Époque architecture enhanced by thoughtful restoration

The building housing Hotel Ritz Madrid is a showcase of Belle Époque architecture, inspired by the great Parisian hotels of the early 20th century. Its pale ochre façade, punctuated with wrought-iron balconies and sculpted cornices, blends harmoniously into the aristocratic setting of the Paseo del Prado. But it is inside that the Ritz reveals its true character.

The central lobby, flooded with natural light through its original glass roof, is lined with Corinthian columns, chequerboard marble floors and crystal chandeliers restored piece by piece. Adjoining salons with hand-painted ceilings display carefully chosen works of art, bringing together old masters and contemporary Spanish artists. The library preserves rare editions and photographic archives tracing more than a century of history.

The renovation led by the Rafael de La-Hoz studio has managed to preserve the hotel’s authenticity while updating it to current standards. Heating, lighting and ventilation systems have been completely modernised without compromising the original aesthetic. The interior gardens, redesigned by Spanish landscape architect Fernando Caruncho, provide a green breathing space at the heart of the building, recalling the inner courtyards of Madrid’s palaces.

Comparable to the painstaking restoration of Hôtel Lutetia in Paris, the rebirth of the Ritz Madrid reflects a desire both to pass on a heritage and to reinvent it. Here, the past is the foundation for a thoroughly contemporary experience.

Starred cuisine in step with Madrid’s elegance

More than a grand hotel, the Ritz Madrid is a culinary destination in its own right. At the helm, Spanish chef Quique Dacosta, holder of three Michelin stars, orchestrates an exceptional gastronomic journey across several distinct dining spaces.

Deessa, which earned a Michelin star in its very first year, is the hotel’s gastronomic showpiece. Set in the former royal salon, it serves contemporary Spanish cuisine with Mediterranean influences, featuring signature dishes such as creamy truffle rice and roast pigeon with black cherries. Each service is choreographed with near-theatrical precision, in a setting where Murano chandeliers and gilded wood panelling echo one another.

For a more relaxed atmosphere, El Jardín del Ritz offers seasonal cuisine in a leafy setting at the heart of the hotel’s inner gardens. Guests can enjoy reimagined tapas, grilled fish and citrus-led desserts, paired with a carefully curated list of Spanish wines. The Palm Court, meanwhile, is the go-to address for a traditional English afternoon tea or a signature cocktail in the evening.

Finally, Pictura Bar draws a cosmopolitan crowd with its intimate lighting and bold creations inspired by the works hanging in the nearby museums. This culinary diversity, conceived as an extension of the city’s personality, makes the Ritz a reference point both for travelling gourmets and for Madrileños who are serious about food and drink.

Wellness, art and culture: a refined sensory escape

Beyond its excellence in hospitality and dining, Hotel Ritz Madrid offers a complete sensory escape where wellness, art and culture are seamlessly intertwined. The spa, created in partnership with The Beauty Concept, occupies a discreet yet sumptuous space within the hotel. It offers tailor-made treatments combining Eastern techniques with cutting-edge cosmetics, in hushed treatment rooms clad in marble and light wood. The fitness centre, bathed in natural light, overlooks the gardens and features the latest Technogym equipment.

Art is omnipresent throughout the hotel, not only in the public areas but also in the rooms, where each space is personalised with lithographs and paintings by Spanish artists. Private tours of the Prado or painting workshops are organised for guests wishing to delve further into this artistic immersion.

The Ritz Madrid also hosts exclusive cultural events, from private classical concerts and literary readings to exhibition openings. Thanks to its privileged location, it is an ideal starting point for exploring Madrid’s rich heritage, on foot or by car with a private driver.

This cultural focus, both intimate and prestigious, sets the Ritz apart from other grand hotels, placing it at the heart of Madrid’s intellectual life. It is a vision shared with its illustrious European counterparts, while affirming a firmly rooted Spanish identity.