The hype
Travelers are relieved the 'tired' Westin rooms are gone, praising the new elegant interiors and soundproofing.
The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
$380-550/ night
Book this if You want to sleep inside a piece of Spanish history directly across from the Prado, and you don't care about having a pool.
Why People Love It
- The iconic stained-glass dome at La Cúpula is genuinely breathtaking
- Unbeatable 'Triangle of Art' location—Prado, Thyssen, and Reina Sofía are your neighbors
- Freshly renovated rooms (as of 2025) finally ditched the dated yellow decor for chic botanical prints
Quick Take: A legendary grand dame that looks spectacular after its €90m facelift, but the service can still feel stiff and the gym is an afterthought.
Reviewed by @Voyascape: I checked into The Palace as it transforms into a Luxury Collection hotel. The suite was massive with a separate living room and the location is unbeatable for exploring Madrid. Despite the renovations, the historic charm is undeniable. A must for Bonvoy members.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
Service doesn't always match the price tag—expect long check-in queues and staff who sometimes chat amongst themselves rather than rushing to help.
- You are an art lover who wants to roll out of bed and into the Prado
- You appreciate 'Old World' grandeur (chandeliers, rotundas, oil paintings)
- You want a room that feels brand new but has historic bones
Cleanliness & Maintenance
9.2
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable; evening turndown is a nice touch.
- Bathroom hygiene: Immaculate. The renovation replaced the old grout and worn tubs with sparkling new fixtures.
- Maintenance: Excellent condition post-2025 renovation. No peeling paint or leaky faucets observed.
- Linens & towels: High-thread-count, crisp white linens. Towels are plush and plentiful.
- Odors & scents: Fresh, subtle botanical scent in the lobby; no more 'old carpet' smell.
Sleepability™
8SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Traffic from the busy Plaza de las Cortes roundabout (if facing street)
- Interior courtyard rooms are silent but have zero view
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel officially rebranded from Westin to 'The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel' in March 2025.
- Marriott Bonvoy Platinum+ members often get upgraded, but breakfast benefits can be strictly enforced (continental vs full).
- The entrance is grand, but the lobby can get crowded with tour groups meeting up.
What to pack
- Dressy casual outfits—shorts and flip-flops feel out of place in the lobby
- Earplugs if you demand an open window (Madrid never sleeps)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Premium Neptuno View Room (for the iconic fountain view)
- Corner Suites on higher floors (maximum quiet + dual aspect views)
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Deluxe rooms on lower floors facing the side streets (can be dark and noisy)
- Rooms near the elevators (renovation layouts created some long treks, but being too close is noisy)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would appreciate a renovated Premium room on a high floor (4th or above). If available, a view of the Neptuno Fountain is preferred. If not, I prioritize silence over view and would accept a high-floor courtyard room.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is there a pool?
No. There is absolutely no pool, and the 'solarium' is just a terrace.
How much is breakfast?
Expect to pay around €42 per person for the buffet under the dome if it's not included in your rate.
Is the renovation finished?
Yes, the major €90m renovation completed in March 2025. All rooms are refreshed, but the gym was left behind.
Is it noisy?
It's on a major roundabout. Street-facing rooms have double glazing, but light sleepers should request a courtyard room.
Can I walk to the main museums?
Yes. You are literally across the street from the Prado and a 5-minute walk to the Thyssen.
Is there a resort fee?
No specific resort fee, but watch out for the high breakfast and valet parking costs.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The '27 Club' bar is a tribute to the 'Generation of 27' poets—look for the literary artifacts in the display cases.
- ✨
Skip the hotel breakfast at least once and go to 'Federal Café' nearby for a fraction of the price.
- ✨
There is a 'secret' back exit near the meeting rooms that dumps you out closer to the Huertas tapas bars, avoiding the main lobby crowds.
5 things to know before you go
💡The gym is surprisingly small and dated for a hotel that charges €500/night.
💡You can hear the metro rumble faintly in the basement/lower ground public areas.
💡The 'courtyard view' rooms look into a rather dull internal shaft—great for sleep, bad for Instagram.
💡Service at the lobby bar can be agonizingly slow during 'after work' hours.
💡The elevators are small and can be a bottleneck during check-out time.
Local Playbook
Map
See where The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel is located and what's nearby.