A STYLISH MADRID HOTEL IN A LANDMARK SETTING

Historic architecture, contemporary interiors and a hidden cave-like spa in leafy Los Jerónimos.

Madrid is known for its grand architecture, world-class museums and exceptional food, including some seriously good tortilla española. From the grand boulevards and galleries around the Prado to the boutiques and restaurants of Salamanca, Madrid is a mix of old and new. For this trip we checked into Mercer Madrid in the elegant neighbourhood of Los Jerónimos.

A residential pocket bordering Madrid’s Art Triangle, Mercer Madrid has the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums close by, with El Retiro just a short walk away. The 61-room, design-led luxury hotel occupies a landmark building dating back to 1905.

Designed by Enrique María Repullés y Vargas, official architect to the Spanish Royal Family, it was originally built as the headquarters of the Spanish Sugar General Society and later expanded to house its laboratories. Imbued with more than a century of history, many of its original architectural details have been painstakingly restored, from the marble staircase and historic lift to the ceilings, flooring and carpentry. Contemporary interiors by Andreu Carulla bring a modern edge to the building’s grand past, creating a hotel that feels rooted in Madrid’s history while delivering the discreet luxury Mercer is known for.

Our Double Room continued the hotel’s old-meets-new aesthetic, with high ceilings and original architectural details sitting alongside clean, contemporary design. The palette was warm and understated, with wooden floors, soft neutral tones and plenty of natural light. French doors opened onto a charming balcony overlooking the leafy street below, which became our favourite spot for a morning coffee and Vitamin D fix. Inside, the room had everything we needed and more, from the king-size bed dressed in crisp Egyptian cotton linen and a pillow menu to coffee and tea facilities and a well-stocked minibar. We also found the chips dangerously hard to resist.

The bathroom was equally sleek, with a generous double spa shower complete with rain and steam functions, plush robes and Eight & Bob amenities. Soundproofed windows also meant that once the doors were closed, the room felt wonderfully peaceful despite its central Madrid location.

For a longer stay, we’d be tempted by one of the larger suites, which come with separate living areas and, in some cases, private terraces.

La Sociedad Gastronomika, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is overseen by acclaimed Basque chef Eneko Atxa, best known for his three-Michelin-starred Azurmendi. Set on the ground floor, the intimate space centres around an open kitchen, with large windows looking onto the leafy streets of Los Jerónimos. In the evening, the restaurant serves Atxa’s tasting menu, while breakfast is served here each morning.

Breakfast is a relaxed affair, with a beautifully presented buffet alongside an à la carte menu. We particularly loved the local cheeses and the generous bread basket, filled with freshly baked breads and pastries. There’s also seasonal fruit, charcuterie, fresh juices and plenty of sweet and savoury options, while eggs and other breakfast dishes are prepared to order. Coffee is brought to the table, and we were rarely in a rush to leave.

There’s also a rooftop pool and solarium, reserved for hotel guests, with loungers and views across the rooftops of Los Jerónimos. After a morning exploring Madrid, with plenty of steps and shopping along the way, we always headed straight up to the rooftop for a quick dip before getting ready for the evening.

But one of our favourite spaces was actually below ground. Manantial is an intimate, cave-like spa with curved walls, subdued lighting and a heated pool with hydromassage jets. A rain curtain falls directly from the ceiling into the water, making this hidden retreat beneath the hotel even more relaxing.

There’s also a sauna and an intimate double treatment room, with facials and body treatments using CODAGE Paris products and protocols. It’s not a sprawling resort spa, nor does it need to be. The appeal is in how private and unexpected it feels, particularly after a full day of walking around the city.

What stayed with us just as much as the design was the service. Warm and genuinely helpful, the team made everything feel easy, from helping us plan our days and sharing restaurant recommendations to arranging anything (and everything) we needed during our stay.

Mercer Madrid is restful and relaxing while still feeling undeniably stylish. The rooms are calming, the subterranean spa offers a welcome escape after a day in the city, and its leafy Los Jerónimos setting feels pleasantly removed from Madrid’s busier streets. Thoughtful service ties it all together, making this an easy place to settle into and an even harder one to leave. Much like Madrid itself, Mercer brings old and new together with remarkable ease.