Beautiful hotel in a historic building. Rooms are large and spacious, with nice in-room amenities. Bottled water is freely offered in the lower lobby, amongst some harsh looking paintings. A lovely breakfast is served in the dining room area for a fee. Great location, walkable location, and helpful staff make this a great place to stay in Madrid. read more

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Not our favorite and not 5 stars. Uninviting entrance- long flight of stairs with no one to assist with luggage. Check is on the 6th floor. Very strong fragrance throughout the Hôtel. Room is dark and dated with black walls and bathroom. Checked out after one night. read more

4.000 stars. The Principal Madrid was a fine hotel, and I'd stay there again, but did not have anything truly memorable or special. It's a 5 star hotel right on the Gran Via, a long shopping street in Madrid. Because its at the beginning of Gran Via, getting taxis/ubers was easier as we were adjacent to a smaller side street that was easier access for vehicles. It's built sort of funny where there is a long flight of stairs to get to a landing where the bellhops work and then the guests are directed to the 6th floor for check in where reception is. We found service to be standard with very little warmth from reception or the staff. No one checked in on us during the stay or offered extra help. One quirky example of how a bit off the service was--we had requested an iron and ironing board for a formal event we were attending. As the room was very small they did not include that in the room which was fine. That was delivered promptly (excellent Rowenta iron!). When we were done with the iron and board we left it outside the door where it sat for 2 additional days. Even though housekeeping came by to service our room, no one thought to take away the iron. We thought that strange. There is no pool or sauna or hot tub and the hotel gym was small and sad. The "terrace" on the 7th floor when we visited was empty and not luxurious at all. Again, no one was mean and nothing was terrible. Everything was just fine but to get that 5th star you really have to deliver a truly memorable experience for the guests at this level of hotel. read more

Alrighty first time here in Madrid and I let my husband do his job with all the hotel bookings!! Ambiance: it's quaint. A small 70 something hotel rooms but I love the aesthetics. Location: this place is in the center of Madrid in my opinion. Practically walking distance from all the places that we visited... about 10-15 mins away from whatever directions. Soo that's a plus. Service: when I tell you, you're never parched... you are never parched. Unlimited water in the entrance that you can just grab. The staff are Amazing specially Nazareth she's very attentive always with a smile and is very attentive!! Also she makes the best coffee and cocktails! Gracias Por Todo Nazareth! For breakfast: if you're staying in the hotel there's a 29 euro addition per day. It's worth it in my opinion!! Their coffee, Benedict's, avocado toast were all delicious read more

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Great convenient hotel with an awesome and friendly staff that were very attentive. Highly recommend!!

This is a great 5 star hotel right on the Gran Via. Location couldn't have been better for out trip! The terraza burgers are insane - best I've ever had; probably bc the chef has 2 Michelin stars (and they have a veggie burger which we love to see). The check in process went smoothly you don't have to wait in line you sit in the lounge, order free drinks while you're waiting. the rooms were really nice we were actually given a free upgrade too which really made our day :) read more

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Centrally located, good restaurants. The terrace was beautiful both in the day and evening. The rooms were a bit small but clean. We were celebrating our anniversary so they surprised us with a bottle of Champaign and strawberries. read more

The hotel staff were very patient in recognizing the agonies of their customers and guests. Xaviar and Jacobo realized the issues we faced and made it up to us with great hospitality and respect to their guests. Thus my updated review: They have a great location, some good service and an awesome terrace bar. This is centrally located and great for all walking activities while in Madrid. They do love taking care of their guests, so make it your home while in Madrid. read more

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I would absolutely stay at the Principal again if I'm ever back in Madrid. The staff is warm and welcoming. The location is excellent, with much of the city in walking distance. Breakfast includes a good continental selection, as well as some fresh egg choices like omelets, avocado toast, etc. The terrace on the roof is a beautiful place for lunch or drinks. If you order a burger, and don't like yours extremely rare, be sure to let the server know how you want it cooked. . Overall, a great place to stay in Madrid. read more

(Warning: novella to follow) My wife and I stayed at the Principal Madrid for four nights during our trip to Madrid. This hotel is located next to Gran Villa which is the main connector to everything you want to see in Madrid as a tourist. If you are planning a trip to Madrid, don't rent a car. Use the taxis and subways and train systems to travel locally and regionally. The entrance of the hotel is on a side street and has a restaurant menu displayed outside. This threw us off a little at the beginning, but now that you are reading this it will be clear for you. The hotel is one of the many renovated old buildings in downtown Madrid and they did an excellent job. There is a nice spiral staircase that goes from the street floor (0) to the gorgeous terrace on 7. In the middle of the spiral staircase is a circular elevator with glass to see the staircase around you. There is a separate customer elevator that fits about 4 people without suitcases and a hotel managed elevator to move bulk things, like your luggage, up and down. If they ask you to take your luggage, let them! It will magically show up in your room and you don't have to cram into the smallish Euro-style elevator. The hotel is arranged as follows. Level 0 is the street entrance. Level 1 and 2 are hotel things. Levels 3-5 are the guest rooms. Level 6 is the reception lobby, restaurant, and a terrace. Level 7 is a rooftop terrace. There is food and drink and bars on the terrace. A wonderful place to enjoy the sunset, a beer, some food, or a cafe. We were met by friendly hotel staff that spoke fluent English and offered us a welcome beverage. Nice touch. We arrived at 10AM from our international flight, so we sat at the restaurant and had a nice breakfast and by the end of that, around 11:30 AM (remember...eating in Europe is an experience, not a transaction), our room was ready. Everything in the hotel works by electronic key card. You use one of your cards to energize the power in the room, open doors and operate the elevator. When we got to our room our luggage was waiting for us. The hotel rooms have A/C and windows, to your liking. Push the red button at the top of the A/C controller to have it turn on. This took me a bit to figure out Our bathroom was nice. My wife says it was a bit dimly lit for putting on makeup, but for me everything worked fine. We needed to get a taxi a few times. Note that taxis are EVERYWHERE, so it just comes down to hailing one. The concierge at Floor 0 would run up to Gran Villa, pull in a taxi, and tell them where to take us, in Spanish, so our broken English version of Spanish would not be misunderstood. This was a nice service by the hotel. The breakfast experience was the only thing that was not perfect. I think this is 50% because we don't speak Spanish and the servers were less fluent in English, combined with 25% we weren't fluent in how the system worked, and 25% efficiency issues by the staff. As an example, on our last day my wife and I ordered coffee. Only 1 came out. I asked the server to bring me one and 10 min later an Americano was brought to another table and turned away because he didn't order it. I suppressed my American credential and didn't yell out to her it was mine, so I watched it be taken back to the kitchen. When yet a third server came by I asked for a coffee. At this point I had been sitting for 45 minutes and could not get a cup of coffee. So, I probably wasn't clear enough the first time I asked because of my language barrier, the second time was the staff issue with keeping tables straight, and the third time who knows. I somewhat think they were understaffed because everyone was doing everything and getting pulled in different directions. So after this very long example, I will say the food was traditional Spanish breakfast fare in a mostly self serve fashion, but you can order hot items from the menu. Try to do that quickly if you are in a rush. If we were to visit Madrid again we would stay here again. We had a fantastic visit and the location and hospitality of the hotel played a big role in this. I will just need to learn a few phrases better in Spanish to navigate the meals better. read more

Awesome boutique hotel located near the Gran Via. It is on a small side street and if you aren't looking you will miss it. The hotel has a boutique/antique feel to it with a modern twist. The lobby is not on the ground floor so you have to take elevator there. Check-in was easy and seamless. Rooms are nice, not particularly big, and clean. Our view was of the office building next to the hotel. They had a very small fitness center (no treadmill) which was disappointing but they are pressed for space in the center of the city. The rooftop bar and lounge area is great. Nice and relaxing. We also ate on the terrace near the lobby. They serve a small bar menu and it was nice being able to enjoy the food while sitting outside and enjoying the view. The location is the best part. I would definitely stay here again. It isn't too expensive and for the location and quality of the hotel it is a slam dunk. read more

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Fantastic building, staff and location. I loved the blackout curtains and barely heard a car despite being on the busy street. The room was very well appointed and comfortable. read more

For an elegant, luxurious stay in Madrid, The Principal Madrid Hotel is the place to go. With a 7th floor rooftop terrace, and a penthouse restaurant that serves up signature cocktails and contemporary avant-garde culinary masterpieces, the hotel plays up the building's history while modernizing the space to accommodate travels seeking the ultimate indulgence. The hotel is conveniently located near many of the city's best attractions, and the view from the rooftop terrace may be one of the best I've seen overlooking Madrid. When I arrived, I was delightfully greeted and every staff member was courteous, friendly, and helpful. They were willing to help me find my way around town, and offered local suggestions. Though with such great service, views, and a great restaurant, I had no reason to go anywhere else. I had the pleasure of staying in the Executive Room for one night, which was stunning. The monochromatic color scheme kept the room feeling modern and clean, while the contemporary art fascinated me. The room had all the charm and character of a classic boutique hotel, but with the all the amenities today's modern traveler seeks. The king-size bed was comfortable and very large for me, as I was traveling alone. The room was the perfect size, big enough to not feel cramped, but small enough to deliver an intimate, peaceful atmosphere. After spending the day in Madrid, the jets in the walk-in shower were a welcome relief. The hotel offers complimentary Gilchrist & Soames toiletries, which felt like I had my own personal spa right there in the room with me. I enjoyed relaxing with a cup of tea and using the infusions set, and the complimentary wi-fi allowed me to stay connected and check my emails. The Principal Madrid is a magnificent hotel in a landmark building with the perfect location. I can't wait to stay here again! read more

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This is a beautiful sophisticated yet intimate hotel. Raphael in particular. was an incredibly helpful and loving individual who ALWAYS had a smile and was at our door in minutes with whatever we needed. Most everyone was very kind and helpful! They made us feel at home during this difficult time in our world. An all around wonderful experience! Thank you! read more

Went to the rooftop for a gin and tonic around midnight..... The drinks were phenomenal, only to be outdone by the view. Each gin and tonic came with a unique assortment of accoutrements to compliment the particular chosen gin. Service was great, and they paid close attention to keeping the rooftop from getting crowded or loud. Wonderful place to end an evening in Madrid. read more

4 days in Madrid and I'm pretty sure two days into this trip, that I picked the Best Hotel in Madrid - The Principal. This hotel is a recent addition to the SPG Program under the Design Hotels branding; and all I have to say is it's perfect! As soon as my town car pulled in, the hotel greeter was there to help me with luggage and take me to the lobby (located in the 6th floor, with incredible decor). As I was checking in, I was given a welcome cocktail a JackDaniels and Diet Coke for me. Immediately upon entering my room, my two large pieces of luggage was brought in. The Principal deviated from the large hotel chain feel, felt very boutique and essentially very designer, and surpassed all customer service experiences I've ever had. The staff are the best I've ever met, so polite and helpful at every opportunity. Aside from the staff, the hotel also boasts great amenities: (1) Location - located basically on the Grand Via, its location is ideal for me, who has been in Madrid several times, and wish to be in the center of all the action but without the craziness. Great access to transportation also. (2) Facilities - the rooftop bar and restaurant is the best you can ask for in Madrid. The chef is from a two Michelin Star restaurant. The gym is very nice. The lobby bar feels very historic and reminds me of the grandeur of Madrid. (3) Rooms - one word: Energy. I was fortunate to have a room with a balcony that faces the Grand Via, facing the city's best landmarks. Awesome Bluetooth connected sound system - you can jam to your songs while feeling the vibe of Madrid... Really modern amenities made me energized and geared to go. (4) Spa - I had a wonderful Intensive Facial Treatment at the Spa. Talk about being pampered! (5) The Staff - like I said, the staff made it all so worth it. Helpful and polite, they thought about everything even before I could think about it. Alberto, who's at the ground floor to greet guests, is AMAZING. In summary, if you are staying in Madrid and want to love where you're staying, then you should stay at The Principal. read more

The Principal Madrid - My view from the hotel balcony - Hotels Near Me - Madrid, M

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Great place to stay in Madrid. Hundreds of things walking distance. Amazing top notch customer service. The 6th floor is a great place for breakfast or drinks! There is nothing the concierge won't do for you! Just ask! read more

The Principal Madrid - Cocktails with a view - Hotels Near Me - Madrid, M

I'm not a huge fan of "stars," not in Hollywood (hello Kevin Spacey, I'm talking to you) and especially not in hotels. I've stayed at two star properties with more service than you can shake a proverbial stick at and Ritzez boasting the perfect five with lobbies that haven't been updated since 1972. The Hotel Principal, which does indeed caption its name with five shining distant planets under its perfectly graphic font, is a prime example of why this rating systems fail. Don't it twisted, the lobby is as chic as Sienna Miller at an awards show, and the cocktails get you drunk in style, but the service is akin to something you expect at a McDonalds in Cleveland. Electronic keys not working? It's your fault. Lights flickering? We're sure you must be mistaken. Even asking a doorman to get you a taxi is the equivalent of an unpleasant visit to your childhood orthodontist. The room's decor sports an enviable shade of gray (so hot right now), but it looked like the interior maestro forgot to hang half the paintings and didn't realize you needed illumination in closets or, if not that, at least braille. In a nutshell, the location is just steps away from Madrid's version of the Marais, but also - in the opposite direction - its replica of Times Square. I hope you get the Marais version. read more

This is a very special hotel. The location is great. So close to transportation and walking distance to the park and high end dining. The roof top bar is really lovely. The rooms are quite nice with all the newest furnishings. A few issues with our room. We were able to move to another larger room instead of having to wait for our shower drain to be fixed. That was nice. Our next room had an air conditioning breakdown on the 3rd day. Again, was fixed fairly quickly and a bottle of champagne was sent to us without us asking for anything. Class. The staff is exceptional! Although the hotel is lovely, it's the staff that will keep us coming back. They are top notch. side note: If you need to do laundry, there is a laundry 2 blocks to the left out of door. Eco laundry. No detergent needed as it's in the machine. Really handy. read more

Terrible customer service. I was scheduled to stay here on a layover. We missed our connection and were unable to make it to Madrid. We were charged $310 for the cancellation. In all my years of travel I've never encountered a hotel that charges you if you have to cancel for circumstances out of your control. I will never stay here if I make it back to Madrid. Be aware their cancellation policy is bogus. read more

Amazing in all respects! Came here upon recommendation of NY Times 36 hrs in Madrid. Exceptional hotel, beautiful, well designed and quiet rooms. They have a portable wifi hot spot you can take with you around the city. Brilliant. Perfect location. Trendy yet luxurious. Thousand thread count sheets! read more

Me and my sister just went to grab a drink to this place. When we arrived asking for the terrace the guy told us it was closed. When we asked if there was a bar around - or preferably at the hotel - he said it was fully booked. Then he proceeded to tell us there might be a McDonald's opened. The greeter who seemed to be embarrassed by the exchange tried to interject but was shut down by who we think was the receptionist. Awful service. I am Canadian and I felt completely excluded from being able to just take a nice vino in the hotel. I will never stay at one of único hotels after this awful experience. The way they treat people is poor to say the least. Worst: it was Xmas day. read more

This has just opened and they are working out some bugs. It's a beautiful boutique hotel and the staff were the nicest I've enjoyed over 2 weeks around the country. First room smelled terrible so the concierge staff moved me into a great suite-With nice smells. Appointed in fresh and contemporary decor with a high end bathroom which sadly lacks any surface spaces for products. Convenient location tucked away which makes the insane tourism right around the corner seem miles away. Walked to Judy about everything. read more