NH Collection Madrid Suecia

What do Spain and Sweden have in common? Not much, actually. Perhaps that’s what makes the concept of NH Collection Madrid Suecia so intriguing. The hotel, located in a grand building just off the Gran Vía, was originally opened by the Swedish royal family in 1956. The architecture was Spanish, but the design sensibility was Scandinavian. It was an unlikely combination that worked well: Ernest Hemingway and Che Guevara both stayed here.

Fast-forward to the present. After extensive renovations, the hotel reopened in 2016 as the NH Collection Madrid Suecia. And while it’s true that some of the hotel’s period charm was lost in the process, we have to admit that we like what they’ve done with the place. The look is modern, with hardwood floors, crisp white linens, oversized black and white photos, and sculptural lamps suspended from the ceiling. The in-room amenities are nice, as well: each room or suite has a Nespresso machine, a sleek slate-lined bathroom with a rain shower, a large flat-screen TV, and free wi-fi. Some rooms feature striking views over the elegant architecture of downtown Madrid; several of the higher-end rooms and suites have enviable private terraces outfitted with chaise lounges and tables where you'll be compelled to linger over your morning pastries and café con leche.

Not to worry if you’re in a standard room. The breakfast buffet at the NH Collection Madrid Suecia is a treat, and a throwback to the building’s Spanish-Swedish heritage. You won’t just find standard madrileño fare here, but a lavish spread of cheese, fruit, yogurt, and freshly baked breads.

You’re right in the center of Madrid, with a thousand things to see and do within a short walk from the front door. But we’d recommend that you circle back to the hotel after dark for a nightcap at Ático, the rooftop bar, with glorious views over the city skyline, or, if it’s chilly or raining, at Bar Hemingway. You don’t need us to tell you exactly who threw back a few martinis on a regular basis here. And why not? The Swedes might know how to do breakfast, but the Spanish know how to make a drink.