Image courtesy of URSO Hotel & Spa
Madrid’s boutique hotels range from restored Neoclassical landmarks to hip hangouts with vast art collections. Read on for eight of our top picks, plus insights from Fora travel advisors who visited Madrid and Barcelona on a 2025 familiarization trip.
If you’re also interested in learning about the city’s neighborhoods and highlights, check out where to stay in Madrid, Spain.
URSO Hotel & Spa (Justicia)
Image courtesy of URSO Hotel & Spa
URSO Hotel & Spa combines stylish sophistication with serene relaxation. This Madrid boutique hotel was one of our advisors’ favorite stops during their trip. They loved the hotel’s authenticity and \ prime location in the city’s Justicia district.
“You won't just be staying in a hotel; you'll be immersed in the real Madrid,” Fora Advisor Wieteke Maris said. “I find the URSO ideal for travelers who want to experience Madrid like a local, with a dash of luxury and a lot of style.”
This boutique property impresses with its chic, artful décor and commitment to maintaining its Neoclassical construction — its stained-glass windows, marble floors, decorative tiles and library are all original. Fora Advisor Suzanne Lee added that the hotel is within walking distance of the city’s highlights, but feels “more local to the people of Madrid” than other properties.
“The design of this hotel is very clean and calming,” she said.
Enjoy access to meticulously styled rooms, a restaurant serving contemporary Spanish cuisine, an indoor pool, gym and high-end but cozy spa. Suzanne also noted that the URSO team emphasizes community, and stocks their hotel with goods from local suppliers.
“URSO Hotel & Spa feels like home in the best way — serene, spacious rooms, soaring ceilings and a lobby that invites you to linger,” Fora X Advisor Marisa Schwab said. “It’s perfectly placed at the crossroads of Justicia, Chueca and Malasaña, so you’re within easy reach of some of Madrid’s best restaurants and bars — without the noise.”
(The three neighborhoods are a big part of why Madrid is one of the best places to visit in Spain for first-timers, with authentic Spanish tapas bars, lively nightlife venues and indie boutiques.)
Fora Reserve perks include a $100 hotel credit, a traditional Spanish tapa and glass of wine, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid (Chueca)
Image courtesy of Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid
Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid exudes personality. Classical, contemporary and local touches present a bold but whimsical design that changes based on the function of the space.
"It's such a vibe!” Fora X Advisor Alexandra Hepworth said. “Each area of the property has its own personality, with intimate spaces, a great bar and beautiful rooms.”
Fora X Advisor Jaime Windau also praised the hotel’s design, noting the hotel is housed in a historic mansion.
”The colorful décor will inspire you to redecorate your home post-trip,” she said.
Don’t miss the soft-serve ice cream machine on site, the elevator filled with books or the buzzing lobby.
“It’s the perfect boutique hotel for an amazing stay in cosmopolitan Madrid,” Jaime added.
Amenities include a stylish bar, gourmet dining options — including an elevated Spanish restaurant and a casual, gluten-free stop — and a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. Jaime added that the hotel’s restaurant, Celicioso, serves Madrid’s best gluten-free menu. Highlights include salmon poke and raw vegan lasagna. There’s also an Asian-inspired spa with a menu that features various Eastern techniques and botanicals.
Only YOU Boutique Hotel is located in the Chueca area, so location is no issue. If you’re curious about Madrid’s local arts, the hotel is within a couple blocks of several theaters and local galleries.
“The location of the hotel is fantastic for exploring Madrid on foot and the staff are very friendly and welcoming,” Alexandra added. “Love, love, love this place!”
If you’re also looking for hotels in Málaga, Only YOU has a great location in the city’s historic center.
Fora’s Preferred Platinum partner perks include a $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and an upgrade whenever possible.
Brach Madrid (Chueca)
Image courtesy of Brach Madrid
Brach opened in early 2025 and joins Madrid’s boutique hotel scene as one of its most luxurious options. The property has 56 rooms, and personable service is a constant. Per advisors that visited the property on the familiarization trip, the property has a “more is more” interior style that blends Parisian elegance with Mediterranean warmth.
“If you're a fan of Philippe Starck’s designs, you will adore Brach Madrid,” Jaime said. “With its modern aesthetic, lush greenery and inviting atmosphere, it offers a stylish yet comfortable stay.”
Above all, our advisors were blown away by Brach Madrid’s spa. There’s a hyperbaric chamber, ice baths, a float tank and the “coolest indoor pool and gym” they saw on their trip. Traditional practices meet biohacking tech. The spa is technically open to non-guests, but the hotel does not advertise this.
A pro tip from Jaime: “Start your day with the patisserie-inspired breakfast, a delicious nod to Brach’s French roots.”
Fora Perks include a €90 spa credit, a welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-out whenever possible.
Gran Hotel Inglés (Barrio de las Letras)
Image courtesy of Gran Hotel Inglés
Gran Hotel Inglés is a historic boutique hotel in Madrid’s Centro neighborhood of Barrio de Las Letras, named for the city’s literary legends such as Miguel de Cervantes and Lope de Vega. The hotel embodies that history with a classical design complemented by Art Deco and modern accents (deep soaking tubs with gilded metalwork, geometric details in the wall paneling, contemporary bedding for comfort). Elegance is in no short supply here — but fun is never far away, either. On Fridays and Saturdays, the property hosts swing and rock-and-roll nights at its restaurant-lounge. Live music is also a staple of its weekend brunch offerings. And its Lobbyto bar is always bustling at night.
“Gran Hotel Inglés is an incredible boutique property with a rich history as one of Madrid’s first hotels,” Fora Advisor Tara Anbudaiyan said.
The hotel opened in 1886, was the first hotel in the city to host a restaurant on site and was one of the first to have electricity.
Fora Reserve perks include a complimentary tasting dinner, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel Villa Real (Barrio de las Letras)
Image courtesy of Hotel Villa Real
Hotel Villa Real has a more subtle design. At first glance, the hotel is minimalist, but a closer investigation reveals impeccable attention to detail: local art, hardwood accents, marble bathrooms. The small touches are pleasant, upscale and homey. Hotel Villa Real has over 100 rooms, which is perhaps a little high for a boutique property. But you can expect an intimate vibe, personal service and cozy rooms. This scale is beneficial for business travelers, too — Hotel Villa Real is one of the few boutique hotels in Madrid with dedicated workrooms and convertible event spaces.
Hotel Villa Real is only a few minutes’ walk from Madrid’s famous Golden Triangle of Art, which includes the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and the Reina Sofía Foundation.
Fora’s Preferred Platinum partner perks include a $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, and an upgrade whenever possible.
BLESS Hotel Madrid (Salamanca)
Image courtesy of BLESS Hotel Madrid
BLESS Hotel is dripping with sophistication, which is fitting considering its location in ritzy Salamanca and proximity to the Golden Mile, a portion of Serrano Street known for its upscale shopping. Both areas are known for their upscale shopping and eateries (the local shopping — another reason Madrid is among Spain’s best places to go). Rooms have parquet flooring, custom furnishings like handmade headboards and curated local artwork. The hotel has three restaurants, including SLVJ — an experimental take on Japanese cuisine — a Mediterranean choice and Picos Pardos Sky Lounge, which serves a menu inspired by Aspen’s après-ski scene in transparent rooftop pods. And like Hotel Villa Real, there are dedicated event spaces.
Fora Reserve perks include a €100 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Pestana CR7 Gran Vía Madrid (Sol)
Image courtesy of Pestana CR7 Gran Vía Madrid
Pestana CR7 is an uber-contemporary choice on central Madrid’s Gran Vía, arguably the city’s busiest street. This is where to stay in Madrid if you want unparalleled access to everything the city has to offer. Multiple subway stations are within a couple short blocks, along with endless shopping and diverse eateries (international and local). Rooms range from cozy spaces fit for single adults to spacious suites that can comfortably sleep up to seven. Aside from the hotel’s Neoclassical façade and ironwork in its balconies and windows, Pestana CR7 doesn’t reference historical Madrid in its design; everything is bold, fresh and trendy. While families are welcome at Pestana CR7, the hotel primarily caters to adults. The vibe is electric, and there’s an on-site nightclub, popping rooftop pool area and lively outdoor cocktail lounge.
Fora Perks include welcome amenities, daily breakfast and an upgrade whenever possible.
Hotel Urban Madrid (Barrio de las Letras)
Image courtesy of Hotel Urban Madrid
In terms of style, Hotel Urban is another sharp departure from historical Madrid. Instead, the property adopts an avant-garde style with various artifacts from Asian, African and Oceanic cultures on display. The museum-like inspiration stems from hotelier and archeologist Jordi Clos. This unique boutique hotel exclusively features expansive suites and double rooms, many with small art exhibits. Even the smaller units are massive compared to most boutique hotels in Madrid, ranging from almost 300–600 square feet.
The hotel is in a newer section of Barrio de las Letras, where sleek, contemporary façades replace many of the Baroque and Neoclassical building faces typical of most structures in the central neighborhoods of Madrid. That said, major landmarks like the Prado, Royal Palace and Gran Vía are all within walking distance.
Fora Perks include a €40 food and beverage credit, a complimentary welcome drink, an upgrade and extended check-out whenever possible.
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