💡 The Short Version: For a first visit, stay in the old centre: round the Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, or in the Barrio de las Letras beside the Prado. The hotels below in those two areas are 0.18 to 1.05 km from the Puerta del Sol in a straight line. La Latina has the Royal Palace, Malasaña and Chueca are north of Gran Vía, Salamanca is by the Retiro, Atocha has the trains and Plaza de España has the western end of Gran Vía. Madrid has no tourist tax. Hotels were fullest in October (84.4% of rooms in 2025) and May, and emptiest in January and August (63.6%). Prices change with the dates, so check yours on Hotels.com. Or book a walk: the Welcome to Madrid Guided Walking Tourad is from €25.11 for 2.5 hours.
The areas, compared
Distances are straight lines from each hotel to the Puerta del Sol, and a walk is longer. The last column counts the where-to-stay and hotel-list pages, of 83 read, that name the area in a heading.
| Area | What it suits | Pages naming it |
|---|---|---|
| Sol, Gran Vía and Plaza Mayor | The Plaza Mayor, the Mercado de San Miguel and the start of Gran Vía | Sol 29; Gran Vía 29 |
| Barrio de las Letras and the Paseo del Prado | The Prado, the Thyssen and the Reina Sofía | Letras 26; Prado 11 |
| La Latina and the Royal Palace | The Royal Palace, the Teatro Real and the Cava Baja | Austrias and Palace 32; La Latina 22 |
| Malasaña and Chueca | Bars, cafés and shops north of Gran Vía | Malasaña 28; Chueca 21 |
| Salamanca and Retiro | The Retiro, the Puerta de Alcalá and the Golden Mile | Salamanca 23; Retiro 23 |
| Chamberí and Moncloa | Residential streets west of the Castellana | Chamberí 14 |
| Atocha and Lavapiés | Atocha station and the Reina Sofía | Atocha 23; Lavapiés 19 |
| Plaza de España | The western end of Gran Vía, the Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod | Plaza de España 13 |
| North of the centre | The Castellana towards the Bernabéu | Chamartín 7 |
The hotels
The links go to the hotel on Hotels.com. Michelin’s Keys are the guide’s own ratings for hotels, and “Selected” means a hotel is in the guide without a Key. For the hotels beside the Puerta del Sol, with their distances, see hotels near the Puerta del Sol.
Sol, Gran Vía and Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor is 0.31 km from the Puerta del Sol, Callao and the start of Gran Vía 0.37 km, the Mercado de San Miguel 0.47 km and the Royal Palace 0.83 km: see the Plaza Mayor and the Puerta del Sol. The Plaza Mayor Christmas market and the New Year’s Eve grapes are here: see Christmas in Madrid 2026 and New Year’s Eve in Madrid.
The Metrópolis building at the start of the Gran Vía. Photo: FouPic, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
The Madrid EDITION
Plaza de Celenque 2 · 200 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 180 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
On a quiet square of historic buildings, with an infinity pool on the fourth-floor rooftop, five places to eat and drink and a spa, according to the hotel. Some rooms have terraces.
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
Calle de Sevilla 3 · 200 rooms · two Michelin Keys · about 310 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Seven historic buildings joined in the Centro Canalejas complex. The rooms look over Calle de Alcalá or Calle de Sevilla, and the spa covers more than 1,450 m², according to the hotel.
The Principal Madrid
Calle del Marqués de Valdeiglesias 1 · 76 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 630 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
The first five-star hotel on Gran Vía, in a restored landmark building. The Ático restaurant and terrace is on the sixth floor, with views over the street.
Hotel Emperador Madrid
Gran Vía 53 · about 620 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A four-star hotel with a pool on a 1,200 m² terrace over the skyline, in use in summer, according to the hotel. The cocktail bar and restaurant are open all year, and many rooms look over Gran Vía or Calle San Bernardo.
7 Islas Hotel
Calle Valverde 14 · Hotels.comad
A boutique hotel between Gran Vía and Malasaña. Kikekeller’s studio designed the rooms, and the hotel has an art gallery with changing exhibitions and a gym for guests that is open round the clock.
Barrio de las Letras and the Paseo del Prado
The Plaza de Santa Ana is 0.35 km from the Puerta del Sol, the Prado 1.06 km, the Reina Sofía 1.27 km and Cibeles 1.00 km. The Ritz is 0.25 km from the Prado. The museums are in Prado Museum tickets, the Reina Sofía and Guernica and the Thyssen.
The Plaza de Santa Ana, with a statue, book stalls and café terraces. Photo: Sjaak Kempe, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
Plaza de la Lealtad 5 · 153 rooms · three Michelin Keys, the only hotel in Madrid with three · about 880 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A Belle Époque palace between the Prado and the Retiro, with more than a century of history. Deessa, the restaurant, holds two Michelin stars.
The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Plaza de las Cortes 7 · 470 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 700 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Open since 1912, and restored at a cost the hotel puts at €100 million. Some rooms look over the Neptune Fountain or the Spanish Parliament.
Hotel Villa Real
Plaza de las Cortes 10 · 115 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 600 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Opposite the Congress of Deputies, in the Art Triangle, with a terrace and a swimming pool, according to the hotel. The Prado is 0.46 km away.
Hotel Urban
Carrera de San Jerónimo 34 · 96 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 450 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A design hotel with a Museum Hall of antiquities, a terrace with an outdoor pool, and CEBO, a restaurant with one Michelin star.
Gran Hotel Inglés
Calle de Echegaray 8 · 48 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 370 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Built in 1883, the first hotel in Madrid with a restaurant and one of the first buildings in the city lit by electric light, according to the hotel.
CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha
Calle de Atocha 34 · 34 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 470 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
In an 1852 palace, with a garden courtyard and a plunge pool behind a 7 m high carriage entrance. Two suites have a private terrace with an outdoor jacuzzi.
Mercer Madrid
Calle Ruiz de Alarcón 5 · 61 rooms · Michelin Selected · mercermadrid.com
In a building designed in 1905 for the Spanish Sugar General Society, with views of the Madrid Stock Exchange. It is 0.37 km from the Prado.
La Latina and the Royal Palace
The Plaza de la Paja in La Latina is 0.78 km from the Puerta del Sol, and the Royal Palace is 0.45 km from the Plaza de la Paja. The Teatro Real is 0.59 km from the Sol. The Cava Baja tapas street is in this area: see Madrid tapas. The Palace and its tickets are in Royal Palace tickets.
Palacio de los Duques, Gran Meliá
Cuesta de Santo Domingo 5 · 186 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 580 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A 19th-century Isabeline palace between the Plaza de Oriente and Gran Vía, with historic gardens and rooftop views. The royal suite has a terrace over the Ópera and the Barrio de los Austrias.
Central Palace Madrid
Plaza de Oriente · a hostal · about 650 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A hostal that says it is the only place to stay facing the Royal Palace and the Plaza de Oriente.
Malasaña and Chueca
North of Gran Vía. The Plaza de Chueca is 0.84 km from the Puerta del Sol and the Plaza del Dos de Mayo in Malasaña 1.12 km, with 0.72 km between the two squares. Madrid Pride centres on Chueca in early July.
The Plaza de Chueca, with café terraces below apartment blocks and the Metro Chueca entrance. Photo: Zarateman, Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
Room Mate Oscar
Plaza de Pedro Zerolo 12 · about 590 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
On the square in Chueca, with a rooftop terrace. The Chueca and Gran Vía Metro stations are close, according to the hotel.
Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid
Calle Barquillo 21 · 125 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 910 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A 19th-century palace in the Salesas district, steps from Chueca and the Paseo de Recoletos. The ground floor has Celicioso, a gluten-free restaurant, and the Padrino cocktail bar.
URSO Hotel & Spa
Calle de Mejía Lequerica 8 · 78 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 1.2 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
In a 20th-century building between Chamberí, Tribunal and Chueca, with a spa and the Casa Felisa restaurant.
Hotel Orfila
Calle de Orfila 6 · 32 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.5 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A Relais & Châteaux hotel in a 19th-century townhouse, redesigned by Lorenzo Castillo, with a garden restaurant, El Jardín de Orfila.
Salamanca and Retiro
The Puerta de Alcalá is 1.33 km from the Puerta del Sol, and the Retiro’s Puerta de Felipe IV 1.76 km. Salamanca is the Golden Mile of shops east of the Castellana. The park is in Retiro Park.
A corner block on Calle de Serrano, with luxury shops at street level. Photo: Luis García (Zaqarbal), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Hospes Puerta de Alcalá
Plaza de la Independencia 3 · 41 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.3 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
In an 1883 residence facing the Puerta de Alcalá, with the Retiro across the road. The lobby was once a carriage passage.
Hotel Unico Madrid
Calle de Claudio Coello 67 · 44 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 2.0 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A 19th-century palace on the Golden Mile with a private garden and a garden bistro. The bathrooms are white marble.
Rosewood Villa Magna
Paseo de la Castellana 22 · 150 rooms · two Michelin Keys · about 2.0 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
On the Castellana, with the Sense spa and rooftop houses with views over Madrid. The Three Kings parade passes along the avenue: see the Three Kings parade.
Bless Madrid
Calle de Velázquez 62 · 111 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 2.1 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
On Calle de Velázquez, with a pool on the Picos Pardos rooftop, a spa and a cocktail bar.
Chamberí and Moncloa
The Plaza de Olavide is 1.79 km from the Puerta del Sol. The streets are residential, west of the Castellana.
Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel
Calle de Zurbano 36 · 51 rooms · one Michelin Key · about 1.8 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
An 1895 mansion built for the Duke of Santo Mauro, with an indoor pool, and a restaurant in the old library, according to Michelin.
NH Collection Madrid Abascal
Calle de José Abascal 47 · 183 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 2.5 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A former grand residence with an outdoor terrace and the DOMO restaurant.
Exe Moncloa
Calle del Arcipreste de Hita 10 · about 2.2 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A few minutes from the Parque del Oeste and Calle Princesa, and about five minutes by Metro from the centre, according to the hotel.
Atocha and Lavapiés
Atocha station is 1.70 km from the Puerta del Sol and 0.81 km from the Prado, and the Plaza de Lavapiés is 0.92 km from the Sol. The Reina Sofía is next to the station.
Only YOU Hotel Atocha
Paseo de la Infanta Isabel 13 · 204 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 1.7 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Opposite Atocha station, with the rooms arranged around a central courtyard. The Retiro is close, according to the hotel.
Hotel Mediodía Madrid
Plaza del Emperador Carlos V 8 · about 1.3 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
Opposite Atocha station since 1924, in a French neoclassical building of 1914. Some rooms look over the Reina Sofía or the square.
Plaza de España
The Plaza de España is 0.94 km from the Puerta del Sol and 0.78 km from the Royal Palace. The Temple of Debod is close: see free things to do in Madrid.
VP Plaza España Design
Plaza de España 5 · 214 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 930 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A five-star hotel on the square, with the Ginkgo restaurant and sky bar. The Royal Palace and the Temple of Debod are close, according to the hotel.
Hotel Riu Plaza España
Calle Gran Vía 84 · about 1.0 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A hotel on Gran Vía with a 360-degree rooftop bar on the 27th floor.
Dear Hotel Madrid
Gran Vía 80 · about 910 m from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
A four-star boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and solarium, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge, Nice To Meet You.
North of the centre
NH Collection Madrid Eurobuilding
Calle de Padre Damián 23 · 412 rooms · Michelin Selected · about 4.9 km from the Puerta del Sol · Hotels.comad
In the Chamartín district. DiverXO, the only restaurant in Madrid with three Michelin stars, is in this building. The Bernabéu is in the Bernabéu stadium tour.
Before you book
- When hotels are full. INE’s hotel survey of the city of Madrid, which counts hotels only, put room occupancy at 84.4% in October 2025, 80.9% in May, 79.9% in November and 79.6% in September. January and August were the lowest, both at 63.6%. In 2026 so far occupancy was 81.2% in April, 80.3% in May, 78.7% in June, 69.2% in July and 64.5% in August.
- No hotel tax. Madrid charges no tourist tax on rooms.
- Getting around. See Madrid public transport for the Metro and the tourist pass, and Madrid airport to the city for the Exprés Aeropuerto bus, the Metro and the taxi flat fare.
- Dates to book around. ARCOmadrid, 3 to 7 March 2027; Holy Week, 19 to 28 March; the Mutua Madrid Open, 19 April to 2 May; San Isidro, Saturday 15 May; Madrid Pride, expected from 30 June to 4 July; and the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at MADRING, 10 to 12 September 2027, which drew 353,000 spectators over three days in 2026. For December, see Christmas in Madrid 2026 and New Year’s Eve in Madrid. The weather and the other dates are in the best time to visit Madrid.
For the days themselves, see Madrid in one or two days. Where to eat in Madrid covers the meals, and what to book before you go to Madrid lists the tickets that sell out. Day trips from Madrid covers Toledo, Segovia and the other trips by train.
Common questions
What is the best area to stay in Madrid for a first visit?
The Puerta del Sol and Gran Vía, or the Barrio de las Letras beside the Prado. The hotels listed in those two areas are 0.18 to 1.05 km from the Puerta del Sol in a straight line, with the Plaza Mayor 0.31 km from the square and the Prado 1.06 km.
Is there a tourist tax in Madrid?
No. Madrid and the rest of the Comunidad de Madrid charge no tourist tax on hotel rooms, according to El Independiente's map of Spanish tourist taxes of 1 October 2026.
Which months are Madrid's hotels fullest?
In 2025 October was fullest, with 84.4% of rooms occupied, then May at 80.9%, November at 79.9% and September at 79.6%, according to INE's hotel survey of the city. January and August were the emptiest, both at 63.6%.
Which Madrid hotels hold Michelin Keys?
Michelin's Madrid page lists 42 hotels. The Mandarin Oriental Ritz has three Keys. Rosewood Villa Magna and Four Seasons have two Keys each, ten hotels have one Key and 29 are Selected, which means they are in the guide without a Key.
Where should I stay to be near the Prado?
In the Barrio de las Letras or on the Paseo del Prado. The Mandarin Oriental Ritz is 0.25 km from the Prado in a straight line, then Mercer Madrid and The Palace at 0.37 km and Hotel Villa Real at 0.46 km. The Reina Sofía and the Thyssen are a short walk further.
Which dates fill Madrid hotels?
ARCOmadrid from 3 to 7 March 2027, Holy Week from 19 to 28 March, the Mutua Madrid Open from 19 April to 2 May, San Isidro on Saturday 15 May, Madrid Pride around 30 June to 4 July and the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at MADRING from 10 to 12 September 2027.
