Aerial View of The Principal Madrid

On a busy corner of Gran Vía, The Principal Madrid occupies a handsome historic building that stands in contrast to the glass-and-steel corporate towers spreading across the city. Part of the Único Hotels group, the property works within a compact early-20th-century footprint, using generous rooms, attentive service and a strong food-and-drink program to feel more like a private city residence than a conventional chain hotel.

Often cited as one of Madrid’s best hotels, it earns that reputation in the details.

Classic Madrid, Reimagined from the Inside

From the street, The Principal reads as a classic Madrid landmark: tall façades, commanding corner presence, and a series of upper-floor terraces that peek over the avenue. Inside, the mood shifts to moody, polished, and grown-up.

Public spaces sit above the traffic, so arrivals move quickly away from Gran Vía’s noise into a sequence of reception rooms, lounges, and terraces. Furnishings go all in on plush velvets and patinaed leather, rather than hard minimalism, with cozy seating, warm lighting, and a palette designed to take the edge off the city outside. The overall impression is of a discreet, clubby address that happens to sit over one of Madrid’s busiest thoroughfares.

Generously Sized Rooms in the Heart of the City

Rooms at The Principal feel notably more generous than the square footage often found in the city center. The historic shell helps: ceiling heights benefit from a bygone era, lending space for tall windows and spacious layouts.

Furnishings skew luxe in a relaxed way. Upholstered headboards, substantial sofas or armchairs, and tactile fabrics encourage guests to actually use the space rather than treat it as a place to drop a bag. Colors in regal purple and rich gold accent the darker hues that feel more in line with a private apartment than a hotel. Bed linens are crisp, lighting is practical and logical, and there is space to sit with a laptop or a glass of wine without rearranging the room.

Sound insulation, given the address, is critical—and fortunately, done right. Despite overlooking a busy thoroughfare, rooms function as quiet refuges, which is a key part of the hotel’s appeal. You get the view without the noise—or the ear plugs. A rarity these days.

Dining with Soul: Ático Restaurant & Terrace

The Principal’s food and drink revolve around Ático Restaurant & Terrace on the sixth floor. Ático is a cozy, intimate room that doubles as the hotel’s breakfast venue in the morning, then shifts into a low-lit dining space at night. Tables sit close to large windows or just beside the doors to the terrace, so the room feels connected to the city even when the weather keeps diners inside.

The kitchen tackles Spanish flavors with aplomb. Creamy seafood rice, piqued with the salty tang of shellfish, proves a standout plate, while a platter of fatty jamón ibérico de bellota, from acorn-fed pigs, underlines how serious the hotel takes its sourcing. For many guests, that board of ham alone becomes a reason to linger over one more glass of Rioja.

On the wine list, classic regions are well represented, the by-the-glass selection is tight but thoughtful, and prices feel restrained for a capital city. Several options hit at $12–$14 a glass rather than the New York norm of $25–$30.

The Rooftop That Draws Locals and Travelers Alike

The recently remodeled rooftop and its cocktail terrace remain a major draw for the hotel in good weather. Planted with greenery and furnished for both small groups and couples, it functions less as a full restaurant than as an open-air living room for the hotel, with cocktails and light bites served against a skyline of statues and façades along the avenue.

Why I Book Through Travel Advantage

As a Travel Advantage Ambassador and digital nomad, I’ve stayed at The Principal twice—both times with savings that felt impossible. Through the AI-powered Travel Advantage 2.0 platform, I unlocked rates up to 80% below public pricing. That’s not a typo.

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