The Ritz

Description:

• The Ritz is the most legendary hotel in Spain. With soaring ceilings and graceful columns, it offers all the luxury and pampering you'd expect of a grand hotel. Although the building has been thoroughly modernized, great effort was expended to retain its Belle Epoque character and architectural details.

  No other Madrid hotel, except the Palace, has a more varied history. One of Les Grands Hôtels Européens, the Ritz was built in 1908 by King Alfonso XIII with the aid of César Ritz. It looks out onto the circular Plaza de la Lealtad in the center of town, near 120-hectare (300-acre) Retiro Park, facing the Prado, the Palacio de Villahermosa, and the Stock Exchange. The Ritz was constructed when costs were relatively low and when spaciousness and luxury were the standard. Its facade has even been designated a historic monument. The glory days of 1910 live on in the rooms with their spacious closets, antique furnishings, and hand-woven carpets. Bathrooms are spacious, with robes, dual basins, and deluxe toiletries. The hotel requests that male guests wear a jacket and tie after 11am in the public areas. Nonetheless, casual wear, even blue jeans, is seen at the hotel, but such guests are conspicuous by their lack of what the Spanish call gracia. A special treat to enjoy here for guests or visitors alike is the famed brunch in the Goya restaurant or on the beautiful summer garden terrace. (Warning: It's not cheap!)

• © Frommer's 2012

Awards:

Travel + Leisure 500

•  Best Hotel 2008
•  Best Hotel 2009

Conde Nast Traveler

•  Readers' Travel Award Winner 2008

Frommer's

•  Very Highly Recommended 2009
•  Very Highly Recommended 2010

ForbesTraveler

•  Forbes Traveler 400 2008

Other features:

Child-minders can be booked in advance, as can limousine transport. The gym has individual saunas, sunbeds and massage.