Hotel Palacio del Retiro sits on Calle de Alfonso XII beside El Retiro Park, and its great advantage is its position: the park gate is a two-minute walk, the Puerta de Alcala three, Plaza de Cibeles five and the Prado five. It is listed as a 5.0 star property with 50 individually decorated rooms in ten room types. The Suite Bar serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and light fare, and there is also a bar lounge and a snack bar and deli. The spa is full service, with massage, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a basement thermal circuit with a steam room, hot tub and cold shower. The spa is open daily, massages need a reservation, and guests under 18 may not use it. A 24-hour gym is available and bicycles are on site, which suits the Retiro setting. No pool is listed. Retiro Metro is six minutes away and Madrid-Barajas Airport about sixteen minutes by car.
Who it suits
Couples, wellness travellers and anyone who wants the quiet of a park-side street within walking distance of the Prado, Cibeles and the Barrio de las Letras. The small size gives a personal feel, so it works well for honeymoons and special-occasion stays. It is less suited to families with young children, since the spa has age limits and there is no pool.
Living in it
Buffet breakfast is charged separately, so budget about thirty euros a person or eat in a cafe on the park. The hotel does not take cash and limits cash transactions, so use a card. A rollaway bed is available at a fee and nearby parking is charged per day. Rooms vary, so ask which type has the quietest outlook. Take a morning walk or bicycle ride in the Retiro, then return for a thermal circuit.
Value
The small size and park setting make it distinctive among Madrid luxury hotels. The sensible way to use it is as a calm base for museum days, returning to the spa in the evening rather than going out every night. Book early for spring and autumn, when the park is at its best. If you plan to use the spa, book your massage at the same time as your room, as slots are limited and guests under 18 are not admitted.
The Retiro itself is the best neighbour: a morning stroll to the Crystal Palace and the lake, a lunch in a nearby cafe and a late afternoon in the thermal circuit make a restful loop. With the Prado and Cibeles close by, you can mix museum days with quiet evenings without crossing the city.
Why stay here
- ✓50 individually decorated rooms
- ✓Retiro Park two minutes on foot
- ✓Spa with Turkish bath
- ✓Basement thermal circuit
- ✓Sauna and steam room
- ✓24-hour gym
- ✓Bicycles on site
- ✓Suite Bar and snack deli
Good questions
How close is it to El Retiro?+
About a two-minute walk to the park. The Puerta de Alcala is three minutes and the Prado five.
Is there a spa?+
Yes. It includes massage, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a thermal circuit. Massages need a reservation and guests under 18 may not use the spa.
Does the hotel have a pool?+
No pool is listed. There is a 24-hour gym and bicycles on site.
