Pestana Plaza Mayor

The grand old square that is the Plaza Mayor is one of Madrid’s most prestigious addresses, not to mention picturesque, and with a head start like that, the Pestana Plaza Mayor Madrid almost can’t help being one of the Spanish capital’s most extraordinary hotels. Some luxury boutique hotels are neither fish nor fowl, but this one is the best of both worlds: as luxe and elegant as its elevated setting demands, and as stylish as many of the city’s dedicated design hotels.

It’s made from two heritage buildings married together, and details from the historical architecture show through — some rooms feature charmingly uneven brickwork, and the rooms facing the square have delightful little balconies. References to Goya, Velázquez, and Spain’s Islamic tradition lend depth to the design, and little luxuries like Nespresso machines and marble bathrooms underline the hotel’s upmarket status.

There’s no spa, but an indoor and outdoor swimming pool is at your disposal, and you’ll likely spend a fair bit of time out and about — given the location, surrounded by many of Madrid’s most desirable attractions, you won’t be short on entertainment.