The Principal Madrid

The Principal Madrid, a Michelin Key One-Keys property, consistently garners high praise for its sophisticated blend of historic grandeur and contemporary luxury, offering an intimate and elegant stay in the heart of Spain's vibrant capital.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus among guests and professional reviewers is overwhelmingly positive, with the hotel frequently described as "exceptional" and "wonderful." It holds strong ratings across various platforms, often scoring above 9.0 for cleanliness, staff, and an outstanding 9.6-9.7 for its location. Guests appreciate the hotel's charming and hip atmosphere, often highlighting it as a perfect spot for exploring Madrid.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently rave about several standout features of The Principal Madrid:

• Rooftop Terrace (La Terraza & La Pérgola): This urban oasis, complete with olive and cypress trees, sun loungers, and a fountain, offers spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of Gran Vía and the Madrid cityscape, particularly at sunset. It's a popular spot for both guests and locals to enjoy cocktails and light bites.
• Exceptional Location: Situated on Gran Vía, the hotel boasts an unbeatable central location, making it ideal for accessing major attractions, shopping, dining, and public transport.
• Chic Design & Ambiance: The hotel beautifully integrates its 1917 historic Spanish Renaissance building with sleek, modern, and often masculine decor, featuring sophisticated textures, upscale materials like velvet and marble, brass accents, and contemporary art.
• Attentive Service: The staff is frequently commended for being friendly, helpful, attentive, and professional, going "above and beyond" to ensure a comfortable stay.

3. Room Quality

The Principal Madrid offers 76 elegantly designed rooms and suites, each slightly unique due to the historic nature of the building. Rooms are described as comfortable, modern, and equipped with 21st-century amenities.

• Comfort & Design: Rooms typically feature a muted grey palette with splashes of color like yellow or houndstooth, black furniture, white linens, and stylish black-and-white line drawings. Beds are often described as comfortable king-sized, ensuring sound sleep. Amenities include international outlets, Bluetooth connectivity for speakers, Nespresso machines, large TVs, desks, safes, and minibars.
• Bathrooms: Bathrooms are generally spacious and modern, often featuring large rainfall showers, separate bathtubs in some suites, luxury toiletries (like Finca Serene or Gilchrist & Soames), bathrobes, and slippers.
• Views: While all rooms are well-appointed, many guests recommend opting for a room with a view, as some base-category rooms might look into the interior of the building. Suites, such as the Gran Vía Suite, offer stunning views and spacious living areas.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel's dining options are centered around Ático, the main restaurant overseen by renowned Spanish chef Ramón Freixa, who also boasts two Michelin stars at a sister property.

• Ático Restaurant: Located on the sixth floor, Ático offers avant-garde Spanish cuisine in an elegant setting with rich jewel tones and large windows providing city views. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Breakfast: The breakfast buffet, served in Ático, is considered "surprisingly fantastic" and "delightful," featuring Iberian ham, various cheeses, fresh fruits, pastries, and hot dishes. It can be enjoyed in the restaurant or on the olive-tree-filled terrace. While comprehensive, it typically comes with a surcharge of around €28-€36 per person if not included in the room rate.
• La Pérgola & Rooftop Bar: La Pérgola, an enclosed, air-conditioned terrace on the sixth floor, and the open-air La Terraza on the seventh floor, offer drinks, cocktails, and light bites with impressive city views.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Principal Madrid is consistently highlighted as "top-notch" and "exceptional." Guests frequently commend the staff for their friendliness, attentiveness, and willingness to go "out of their way to attend to all the guests." From the bellhops to the reception team (with specific mentions of individuals like Noelia), staff members are praised for their professionalism and helpfulness, including assistance with museum tickets, daily trip suggestions, and even personal gestures like birthday cakes. The check-in process is described as efficient, with welcome drinks often offered upon arrival.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's location is one of its strongest assets, earning ratings as high as 9.7.

• Neighborhood: The Principal Madrid is ideally situated on Calle del Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 1, just off Gran Vía, Madrid's main thoroughfare. This central position places it in a trendy, bustling neighborhood close to Chueca.
• Attractions: Guests can easily walk to numerous key attractions, including Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, Plaza de Cibeles, El Retiro Park, and major art museums like the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza, and Reina Sofía.
• Transport: Accessibility is excellent, with several metro stations (Banco de España, Sevilla, Gran Vía, Sol) within a short walk (2-10 minutes). Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) is approximately 20-40 minutes away by car, with convenient options for taxis, ride-shares, or public transport.

7. Value & Pricing

The Principal Madrid is a luxury boutique hotel, and its pricing reflects its quality, location, and service. Rooms can range from approximately $242 for a Classic room to higher for superior rooms and suites.

• Perceived Value: While many guests find it to be "worth the cost" and an excellent choice for a luxurious stay, some have mixed feelings, noting that room sizes might be small for a 5-star hotel, leading to questions about overall value for the price paid. Rates exclude breakfast, which is an additional cost.
• Typical Price Range: Based on various booking sites, rates can vary, but executive rooms (base category) were seen around $390/night in the past, with current listings showing classic rooms from around $242 and superior rooms from $357-$412. Prices can be lower during off-peak seasons like August and January.

8. Common Complaints

Despite the high praise, a few recurring minor issues have been noted by guests:

• Elevator Size: The elevators are consistently described as "tiny" or "small," which can be an inconvenience, especially in an historic building.
• Room Size: Some guests felt that certain room sizes, particularly lower categories, were on the smaller side and might not fully meet expectations for a 5-star property. Interior-facing rooms can also lack views.
• Breakfast Cost & Inclusion: While delicious, the breakfast buffet is often not included in the room rate and carries a significant surcharge, which some guests find expensive.
• Noise: One review mentioned noisy cleaning services in the corridors in the morning.
• Internet Connectivity: A few guests experienced issues with internet connectivity, suggesting it's advisable to check quality upon arrival if important.
• No Pool: While there's a wellness suite, gym, and rooftop terrace, the absence of a pool is sometimes noted.
• Slow Service: In some instances, service, particularly in dining areas, can be leisurely, reflecting a more relaxed Spanish cultural vibe.

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