Palacio de los Duques, Gran Meliá
One Michelin Key
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Hotel Details
Location
Madrid
Spain, Europe
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Key Highlights
- ✓Rooftop Pool & Views:** The seasonal rooftop pool, often accompanied by a Veuve Clicquot champagne bar, offers amazing panoramic views across Madrid.
- ✓Room Size:** A few guests mentioned that some "Premium" rooms felt "smallish," although they were perfectly designed.
Expert Review: Palacio de los Duques, Gran Meliá
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel, in Madrid, Spain, has garnered significant acclaim, earning a prestigious One Michelin Key distinction, signifying a very special stay. Guests consistently praise its blend of historic elegance with modern luxury, making it a standout choice in the heart of the Spanish capital.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for Palacio de los Duques is overwhelmingly positive, with ratings frequently in the "Exceptional" category. It often receives a 9/10 or higher in overall satisfaction. Guests describe it as a truly five-star Spanish experience, blending royal heritage with contemporary sophistication. The sentiment is one of high satisfaction, with many guests expressing a desire to return.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently love several aspects of the hotel:
- Service & Staff: The attentive, friendly, and meticulous service is frequently highlighted as a major strength.
- Location: Its unbeatable central location, steps from major landmarks like the Royal Palace, Teatro Real, and Plaza Mayor, is a significant draw.
- Design & Ambiance: The hotel's design, inspired by Velázquez's masterpieces and blending historic architecture with modern elegance, creates a memorable and sophisticated atmosphere. The original 19th-century palace structure is well-preserved, ensuring a palatial feel.
- Rooftop Pool & Views: The seasonal rooftop pool, often accompanied by a Veuve Clicquot champagne bar, offers amazing panoramic views across Madrid.
- Historic Garden: A decent-sized, tranquil historic garden provides a serene escape in the city center.
- Wellness Facilities: The hotel features a gym and the Thai Room Spa, known for its authentic Thai massages and relaxation therapies.
3. Room Quality
The rooms at Palacio de los Duques are described as outstanding, luxurious, and perfectly designed. They are decorated with a color palette explicitly paying homage to Velázquez's paintings, giving them a memorable and artistic touch. Comforts are first-rate, including high-quality linens and towels, comfortable beds, soundproofing, and lightproofing, which is particularly appreciated under the Spanish sun.
Standard in-room amenities often include a 49-inch LED-TV with Chromecast, an iPhone docking station, Nespresso coffee machine, and free WiFi. Private bathrooms feature showers, heated floors, and quality toiletries, with many offering both a bathtub and rain shower. Red Level rooms and suites offer elevated services, such as larger accommodations, all-day complimentary champagne, private lounge access, personalized check-in, and exclusive concierge service. Some rooms look out onto a central courtyard, while others offer views over the garden area or the city.
4. Dining Experience
The dining experience is highly regarded, with breakfast frequently mentioned as a highlight. The breakfast buffet is described as first-class, offering a great quality continental selection plus an à la carte menu for ordered dishes, with cava also available. Red Level guests often have access to their own breakfast area with free-flow Ruinart champagne.
The hotel offers at least two restaurants:
- Jardín de los Duques: Serves traditional Spanish cuisine in the site of the former stables.
- Grand Café (or Coroa restaurant/Corora Gallery): Offers international dishes and is where breakfast is typically served, often with views overlooking the historic garden or on an outdoor terrace. The dining atmosphere is often described as exquisite, blending historic architecture with modern design. There is also a bar and a tea corner available.
5. Service & Staff
The service and staff receive consistent five-star reviews for their attentiveness, professionalism, and friendliness. From welcome on arrival by the bell staff, to speedy check-in, and attentive breakfast staff, guests report that nothing could be faulted. Staff members are often noted for going "above and beyond" to ensure everything is perfect. The concierge service is excellent, and housekeeping is described as discreet and thorough, with a thoughtful touch of leaving chocolates at turndown.
6. Location & Accessibility
Palacio de los Duques boasts an exceptional central location in Madrid's historic center, specifically in the Madrid de los Austrias area, between Plaza de Oriente and Gran Vía. It is situated on a quiet side street behind the Teatro Real Opera House and just moments from the Royal Palace. This prime location allows guests to walk to many major attractions, including Plaza Mayor and Sabatini Gardens. The Prado Museum is also about a 20-minute walk away. Public transport is easily accessible, and the hotel offers a shuttle service for further excursions.
7. Value & Pricing
While considered a luxury property and "pricey," guests frequently state that the experience is "worthwhile". The Red Level experience, in particular, is noted for offering superb added value with its exclusive perks. Prices can vary, with an average weekend night in March around $436 and in October around $648. As of February 14, 2026, prices for a 1-night stay for two adults on February 23, 2026, started from $430.54, excluding taxes and fees.
8. Common Complaints
While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted in older reviews or by specific guests:
- Room Size: A few guests mentioned that some "Premium" rooms felt "smallish," although they were perfectly designed.
- Gym Size: One review from 2017 noted the gym as "a little bit cramped".
- Bathroom Decor (older reviews): An older review from 2017 mentioned some bathrooms having "unattractive, with outdated fixtures" and a "Creamsicle hue" in Standard and Superior rooms, though Premium rooms were an improvement. However, more recent reviews praise the bathrooms, mentioning heated floors and modern amenities, suggesting renovations have addressed this.
- Confusing Layout: One guest found the hotel's layout confusing and got lost twice.
- Pillows: A single review mentioned "soft uncomfortable pillows" made it difficult to sleep.
Overall, any complaints are infrequent and minor, especially when weighed against the consistent praise for the hotel's luxury, service, and prime location.
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While overwhelmingly positive, some minor criticisms have been noted in older reviews or by specific guests:
- •Overall, any complaints are infrequent and minor, especially when weighed against the consistent praise for the hotel's luxury, service, and prime location.
About One Michelin Key
One Michelin Key is awarded to hotels that offer a very special stay. These properties are characterized by their unique personality, high quality, and ability to create memorable experiences for guests.
