Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid: Historic 1910 King Alfonso XIII Belle Époque palace with Two-Star Deessa by Quique Dacosta and glass-canopy Palm Court

Reigning with royal Belle Époque splendour directly across from the Museo del Prado in Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art, Spain (just steps from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, Reina Sofía, and El Retiro Park, 20 minutes from Madrid-Barajas Airport), Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid opened in 1910 as Spain’s premier historic luxury grand palace. Originally commissioned by King Alfonso XIII and designed by legendary French architect Charles Mewès (architect of the Ritz Paris), the 153-room luxury palace was completely restored by Parisian designers Gilles & Boissier. Featuring the Two-Star Michelin dining institution Deessa (led by Three-Star Michelin Chef Quique Dacosta), the iconic restored glass-domed Palm Court, the glamorous Pictura bar, an indoor heated subterranean freshwater swimming pool set beneath chandeliers, and The Beauty Concept Spa, this property is Madrid’s ultimate luxury grand palace.

Arrival introduces travelers to unvarnished Spanish royal glamour and Belle Époque splendour: liveried doormen in ceremonial top hats greet guests beneath the monumental stone portico on Plaza de la Lealtad before entering the sunlit marble lobby with restored crystal chandeliers, gilded ironwork, and chilled Spanish Cava. Day-one logistics focus on coordinating bespoke Madrid artistic, royal, and culinary pursuits: walking directly across the boulevard into the Prado Museum with private before-hours access (steps away), private guided tours of the Royal Palace of Madrid (10 minutes away), strolling the UNESCO-listed tree-lined avenues of the Paseo del Prado and El Retiro Park (steps away), swimming in the chandelier-lit subterranean heated pool, indulging in bespoke facial and body therapies at The Beauty Concept Spa, taking traditional afternoon tea beneath the glass dome at Palm Court, and reserving dinner at Two-Star Michelin Deessa.

Palace living balances active art discovery with serene subterranean wellness: The Beauty Concept Spa features private luxury treatment suites, steam rooms, vitality pools, the heated chandelier-lit pool, and therapies utilizing organic botanical skincare. Dining is an extraordinary five-restaurant culinary empire overseen by Chef Quique Dacosta: Two-Star Michelin Mediterranean haute gastronomy at Deessa (featuring Denia red prawns, rice dishes, and Spanish Grand Crus), afternoon tea at Palm Court, garden dining at El Jardín del Ritz, and cocktails at Pictura.

Accommodations comprise 153 rooms and luxury executive suites styled by Gilles & Boissier in soft cream leather, classical French moldings, and private furnished balconies framing the Prado Museum or Lealtad Square ranging from 32 to 215 square metres. Each residence features plush king beds with custom linens, and marble bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs, embedded TV mirrors, and custom amenities.

Art connoisseurs, culinary enthusiasts, and luxury travelers seeking Prado Museum proximity, Two-Star Michelin Deessa dining, and 1910 King Alfonso XIII palace heritage in Madrid should book Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid without hesitation. Grounded review consensus confirms legendary standing with a 4.9 out of 5 on Tripadvisor across 3,800 reviews and a 4.9 out of 5 on Google across 5,200 reviews.