Photo via Google, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, MadridMandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
- Getting there
- On Plaza de la Lealtad facing the Prado, a short walk from Retiro park
Why it’s in the log
The story behind the Ritz Madrid is specific rather than generic hotel lore: King Alfonso XIII married in 1906, discovered the city had no hotel fit to house his European relatives for the occasion, and backed the building of one himself. It opened in 1910 facing the Prado, and the royal patronage shaped everything from the scale of the rooms to the belle-époque detailing that's still there after a Mandarin Oriental-led renovation.
It reopened under Mandarin Oriental management after a multi-year restoration, which modernised the rooms and added the group's own restaurants without stripping out the original Ritz character — the facade, the gardens, and the central hall are still recognisably the 1910 building.
It sits directly across from the Prado, which makes it the obvious base for a museum-heavy stay, though the garden terrace and afternoon tea are reasons to go even if you're not staying the night.
What people said recently
From Google reviews · see all 4,453 ↗
“The team at the mandarin Ritz were wonderful. They made the trip feel so special (from the warm and welcoming team at reception to the spa and restaurant staff - everyone was friendly and super professional). The dinner in the garden…”
“Our stay at the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid was unfortunately overshadowed by two significant issues. First, we experienced a leak in our room that required us to change rooms unexpectedly during our stay. Because of the urgency, the…”
“The Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid beautifully balances restoration and reinvention, clearly drawing inspiration from iconic properties like The Ritz London and Ritz Paris while still feeling deeply connected to Madrid and Spanish culture.…”
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