The Westin Palace

With Picasso and Dali among the names in its guestbook, you can be sure that a stay at The Westin Palace will be a highlight of any trip to Madrid.

Built for Alfonso XIII’s wedding, the opulent hotel is beautifully styled with marble floors, original artwork and impressive design features. One of the most fascinating rooms is the Museum Bar with its collection of artefacts including photos of the inauguration, a list of employees, an old telephone, and Picasso’s signature.

The rooms are full of old-world charm with mahogany furniture and rich fabrics and suites features furniture and textiles from the early 20th century. One of the hotel’s most stunning features is the huge stained glass dome, under which guests can dine at the restaurant. There is also a sushi bar which blends oriental and vintage Spanish styles, and a restaurant specialising in Chinese cuisine lavishly decorated with large paintings, a statue of Buddha and walls covered in gold damask.

You might think green space is hard to come by in a city, but the charming rooftop terrace proves otherwise. As well as serving as a place for guests to enjoy a drink and take in the views, it also served as a kitchen garden and provides the chef with a bountiful supply of herbs and fruits.

The hotel is ideally situated in the centre of the city in what is known as the ‘triangle of art’ due to its proximity to the city’s most prestigious museums.