HotelChatter

Spain Hotels

In Spain, A Man's Hotel Is His Castle

Where: Plaza de la Lealtad 5, Madrid, Spain, 28014

May 28, 2008 at 1:13 PM | 0 Comments

Can someone tell us what is up with Spain's King Alfonso XIII? He's seemingly like the 19th century version of Andre Balazs, what with his demands that Spain have the most opulent hotels in Europe. That was the expressed intent of his namesake hotel, Hotel Alfonso XIII in Seville, which is still widely regarded as the luxury property in the city, despite the presence of a few smaller but no less luxurious boutique hotels.

Then there's the Hotel Ritz Madrid, which was borne out of Alfonso's desire to build a luxury hotel to rival the Ritz in Paris. Ah, if only online guest reviews existed in 1910.

No matter, the Hotel Ritz Madrid continues to stack up pretty well against its competition in Paris and elsewhere. A member of Orient-Express and the Leading Hotels of the World, the hotel is often noted for its exceptional service and its location across the street from one of Madrid's most famed attractions, the Prado Museum.

Though some reviewers wish the hotel would update its décor, others noted that the dated design was all part of the charm.

The Hotel Ritz Madrid seems to attract all types: families, honeymooners and celebratory travelers--at least those who can afford it, given that room rates start at $885, including VAT. Hey, if you want to live like a king you've got to expect to pay like one.

[Photo: Rahego]