This Madrid Hotel Feels Like the Best Party in Town

Stay Here For

A nightclub feel, with equal parts chic Madrileños and turned-out jet-setters.

From your first glimpse of the vertebral white spiral staircase in the entry to the scent of Le Labo wafting through the air, The Madrid EDITION hums with the energy of a place people want to be. Clusters of well-turned-out guests linger in the lobby lounge, sipping Manhattans (made here with a few drams of Pedro Ximénez) at the bar and idling by the marble pool table, their festoons of designer jewelry and Italian leather handbags right at home amid the luxe, high-drama setting.

The hotel opened three years ago just off Plaza de las Descalzas, occupying a 1980s building that formerly served as a bank headquarters. With its design that marries minimalism with sinuous, sculptural touches, The Madrid EDITION is proof that a marriage of contrasts can thrive. Situated in the heart of Sol, the neighborhood surrounding the famous Puerta del Sol public square, the property also captures the sense of voguish exclusivity shared by its sister hotels while cultivating a distinctly Spanish aura.

References to Madrid and Spain are everywhere: Figural chairs look plucked straight from a Surrealist painting, the brasswork backdrop behind the bar references the windows of the Monte de Piedad building (now part of the hotel) and a massive tapestry on the back wall was produced by Real Fábrica de Tapices, weavers to the Spanish royal family since 1721, among others.

That design-forward approach sets the stage for a hotel stay that’s all about ambience. There’s a strange alchemy at work here, where you can eat breakfast with an unassuming mix of young families, buttoned-up business travelers and retirees on holiday, yet come 11:30 p.m., the Lobby Bar feels like the absolute center of the cool universe. The spa adds another dimension; with five treatment rooms plus a mud room, Finnish dry sauna and steam room, it feels like a softer echo of the light-and-dark contrasts in the lobby.

With its large rooftop pool, the property transforms even further, going from a buzzy urban haunt to a true getaway destination. The EDITION’s only flaw is that it’s a hotel you don’t want to leave, plunked right in the center of one of the most compelling cities in Western Europe. The easy solution: Linger a few extra days so you don’t have to sacrifice a moment exploring this dynamic hotel—or the city it calls home.

The Essentials

The Room

The two penthouse suites have soaring ceilings and panoramic city views from the private terrace.

Rooms at The Madrid EDITION are sleek and airy, with an all-white, minimal aesthetic that feels soothing and understated, yet not too spare. A mix of textures—a bouclé accent chair, a soft faux-fur throw and deep brown-black wood closets—lends depth and warmth to the space. For the ultimate indulgence, the two penthouse suites (the Madrid Penthouse Suite and the Opera Penthouse Suite) both come with expansive terraces, kitchenettes and private pools. But soaring ceilings and carefully placed lighting create a Zen-like mood in even the more modest Superior and Studio Terrace rooms.

As for families? There are 77 connecting rooms throughout the property, including 13 double queen rooms that connect to a king, perfectly situated for larger crews or multigenerational adventures.

The Bars and Restaurants

If you’re on the hunt for a scene, there’s no shortage of those here. In addition to the Lobby Bar, there’s the lush rooftop haunt, Oroya; the sultry Punch Room Madrid; and dining destination Scarpetta, with its crowd of well-heeled Spaniards and two lunar globe lights suspended from giant stirrups in the ceiling.

Oroya, the rooftop restaurant, comes alive at night, a soaring glass-walled room draped with greenery and lit by colorful lanterns. Start with a cocktail on the terrace, among an energetic crowd of travelers from around the world and chic Madrileños catching up with friends. After drinks, move inside for global-fusion dishes, such as veal sweetbreads with Andean chilis.

Around 10 or 10:30 p.m., the crowd starts to pick up at Scarpetta. Grab a banquette on the upper level and order a parade of small plates such as the seared scallops with orange and bottarga, and a light, refreshing artichoke salad with mint. In colder months, wrap up your night with a stop at the Punch Room Madrid, where a glass of smoky, spicy Shaman Punch, made with mezcal, cocoa and jalapeño, makes for a warming drink on a chilly evening.

The Standout Feature

The spa. After a long afternoon of sightseeing and strolling, there’s no better way to shake off the day than a visit to this moody space, whose warm neutral color scheme and interplay of soft whites and rich wood tones feels like a softer echo of the chiaroscuro in the hotel’s entryway. Sip an herbal infusion in the lounge, flit between the sauna and steam room, and then kick back for the Spanish Citrus Radiance Ritual, a full-body scrub and massage infused with vitamin C and rose hips.

The Location

A living wall—and ceiling—is a lush frame for the hotel’s Plaza de Celenque entrance.

Situated in Sol, The Madrid EDITION puts you at the heart of the city—and the very center of Spain itself. From the hotel, it’s an easy stroll to countless noteworthy shops and restaurants, around 10 minutes to the Palacio Real, or Royal Palace, and 20 or so minutes to the great trifecta of Madrid art museums, the Prado, Reina Sofía and Thyssen-Bornemisza. Should you want to explore more far-flung corners of the city, the Metro is fast, clean and easily navigable.

The Time to Go

The crowds in Madrid are most prevalent in July and August, so a spring or fall visit means fewer lines and balmy weather. But even in peak summer, when the temperatures soar, the dry climate makes strolling the city for hours a pleasure, and snagging advance tickets will spare you a wait at all the major museums.

The Vibe

Oroya’s interior is set in a large glass-walled cube, which morphs from an airy, sunny daytime respite to a vibey after-dark haunt with a backdrop of city lights.

The perfect spot for your photo op: Take your pick—this is a hotel almost entirely made up of supremely picturesque corners. We’re partial to the grand spiral staircase, the rooftop pool with a view of Madrid or a spot beneath the pergolas dripping with wisteria at Oroya.

What you’re buying from the minibar: A bag of chips seasoned with Balearic sea salt, black pepper and balsamic vinegar. And if you’re feeling festive, maybe a split of Juvé & Camps cava to wash them down.

Are guests staying in or going out? Both. It’s an out-on-the-town kind of crowd, but with the Lobby Bar, Scarpetta and the rooftop restaurant, Oroya, open late—plus a cozy lounge space—you can easily drink and dance the night away without ever leaving the building.

The souvenir from the gift shop you’re bringing home: A platter by ceramist Arturo Mora, who creates hand-thrown and painted metallic-luster pieces that nod to those coveted by Spanish royals and nobles in the 14th century.

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