In one of my favourite cities in the world – Madrid – anticipation is everything. Arriving at the historic Gran Hotel Inglés, tucked into a discreet lane of the legendary Barrio de las Letras, the very act of pulling up in a car barely fitting through its narrow street became part of the charm. I knew from the outset that this was no ordinary hotel – and the experience delivered.
The neighbourhood already hinted at the hotel’s dual character: one foot in old-world Madrid, another firmly in the present. Calle Echegaray still hums with the same spirit it must have had in the late 19th century – bars, cafés, and conversation spilling onto the pavement.
This is Barrio de las Letras, Madrid’s historic Literary Quarter once home to Cervantes, Lope de Vega, and other icons of Spain’s Golden Age – a place where creativity has always shaped the rhythm of daily life. It’s a fitting address for a hotel that feels both cultured and contemporary, drawing from the same current of timeless inspiration.
The story of Gran Hotel Inglés began in 1886, when businessman Agustín Ibarra opened what would become Madrid’s first luxury hotel, then known as the Hotel Inglés. It was the first in the capital to have electric lighting and one of the earliest to offer an in-house restaurant. After decades of silence, the hotel reopened in 2018 following an extensive restoration that preserved its soul while introducing 21st-century sophistication.
Stepping into the lobby, I took a moment to absorb it all – high stucco ceilings, original weight-bearing beams, stained glass details, and warm lighting all came together in a way that felt both grand and intimate. A glass of cava awaited me as I checked in, and I knew instantly that the synergy of history and modernity I had hoped for was perfectly executed.
Walking through the corridor toward my room felt like a quiet step back in time – the lighting evoked the glow of old kerosene lamps, reimagined with modern subtlety. Then came that moment of grand anticipation familiar to every traveller – opening the door to your room for the first time. Beauty. Warm, thoughtful interiors, exposed wooden beams, a chandelier in the corner casting soft light across the room. A personal note and a pastry awaited me, alongside a bed dressed in embroidered linens that exuded class and distinction. Details mattered: a brass-and-leather valet stand, a clever bathroom wardrobe, and vintage wallpaper depicting historic Madrid scenes. Within an hour of arrival, I was convinced I’d chosen the right place to rest after a long four-hour drive from Alicante.
In a city overflowing with luxury hotels, Gran Hotel Inglés stands apart not just for its age but for its soul.
The staff were exceptional – warm, professional, and instinctively helpful. Craving fabada de Asturias, we put their concierge to the test, and they recommended a classic Asturian restaurant that turned out to be perfect. The team proudly carries the golden keys of Les Clefs d’Or Spain – a distinction that reflects a tradition of genuine care and excellence in hospitality.
Later that evening, on the way to the elevator, I noticed a quiet corner dedicated to the hotel’s history. There stood a striking black-and-gold bust of José Rizal, the Philippines’ national hero. Fittingly, in this very quarter once shaped by Spain’s literary masters, another writer and thinker – Rizal himself – found inspiration two centuries later. A reformist, novelist, and physician, he dined at the hotel’s original restaurant on June 25, 1884, surrounded by fellow Filipino expatriates celebrating the recognition of their compatriot artists in Madrid. It was an emotional surprise – a reminder that history often hides its most meaningful connections in plain sight. Rizal, who fought for freedom and reform, also frequented Viva Madrid, a nearby tavern still operating today, where he and his compatriots met to exchange ideas on liberty and nationhood. That a five-star boutique hotel in Madrid continues to honour his presence speaks volumes about its respect for heritage.
The next morning confirmed what the night promised: breakfast was a class act. Jamón Ibérico Puro Bellota took center stage for me, since I love it like no other – rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth perfection – alongside a buffet that struck the perfect balance between indulgence and health. Later, as evening descended again, the lobby transformed into a lively yet refined gathering space. The library bar, lined with vintage books from the early 1900s, hosted live performers as cocktails flowed and guests mingled under soft light. Cigars were available to smoke outside, completing the sense of old-world indulgence reimagined for modern times.
The Gran Hotel Inglés is part of The Leading Hotels of the World, a testament to its quality, and it has been named among the 70 best hotels in the world in Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List 2025, as well as appearing on the Michelin Guide’s hotel selection. Forget the accolades for a moment – what endures is the mood, the rare balance between timeless charm and present-day ease.
In a city overflowing with luxury hotels, Gran Hotel Inglés stands apart not just for its age but for its soul. It doesn’t merely preserve history – it lives it. Every beam, every piece of stained glass, every polished brass accent speaks of timelessness reborn. For anyone seeking both the nostalgia of the past and the pleasure of the present, this hotel captures it all. If you don’t trust me, look at the awards. But if you do, know that this is one of those rare places that makes you feel the city’s pulse – past, present, and forever intertwined.
