The Principal Madrid: A Front-Row Seat to the City’s Rhythm

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

Madrid is a city best experienced from within—on foot, late into the night, moving between neighborhoods where culture, food, and daily ritual blur into one. And yet, there is something undeniably powerful about rising above it all, if only briefly, to take in the full scope. At The Principal Madrid, that perspective comes naturally.

Set along the storied Gran Vía, The Principal occupies a stately 1917 Spanish Renaissance–style building, its historic façade opening into interiors that feel both timeless and distinctly modern. Outside, the kinetic pulse of one of Europe’s great avenues; inside, a calm that feels deliberate and cinematic. This tension—between energy and ease—is precisely what defines the hotel.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

The vision belongs to Pau Guardans, founder of Único Hotels, whose personal philosophy favors atmosphere and service over trend-driven luxury. Rather than attempting to insulate guests from Madrid, The Principal frames the city—offering a refined vantage point from which to experience it more fully.

Arrival sets the tone. Guests are ushered via a private elevator directly to the sixth-floor reception, where Gran Vía unfurls below and the city immediately feels both present and distant. A welcome drink is offered, introductions are unhurried, and the pace subtly shifts. The noise fades. The view takes over.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

Design throughout the hotel balances architectural integrity with a lived-in warmth. High ceilings, expansive windows, and original ironwork are layered with rich textiles, marble, solid wood, and eclectic furnishings—mid-century consoles, chesterfield armchairs, sculptural lamps—that give the spaces depth without stiffness. It feels elegant, but never formal; polished, yet unmistakably residential.

The hotel’s 76 rooms and suites follow suit. Soundproofed and serene, they offer a sense of retreat in the middle of the city, with plush linens, oversized bathrooms, and thoughtful details that invite lingering mornings. For those who want Madrid as part of the experience, the Gran Vía Suites deliver sweeping rooftop views—especially striking at dusk, when the city glows gold and the streets below begin to hum.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

The social and culinary heart of The Principal lives upstairs. Ático, the sixth-floor restaurant, is led by a Michelin-starred chef, and the approach is refreshingly restrained. The menu is rooted in Spanish tradition, refined rather than reinvented, designed for sharing and lingering rather than ceremony. Dishes arrive composed but unfussy, equally suited to a long dinner or a spontaneous evening that begins with a glass of wine and ends much later than planned.

Beyond the dining room, La Pérgola and La Terraza extend the experience outdoors. Framed by olive trees, cypress, and greenery, the rooftop offers sweeping 360-degree views across Madrid—turning sunset into a daily ritual rather than a scheduled event. Cocktails and casual bites flow easily from afternoon into night, and the atmosphere feels relaxed, never staged.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

Downstairs, the Lobby Bar nods to Madrid’s longstanding cocktail culture, offering classic pours alongside more contemporary expressions. It’s a natural meeting point—before the theater, after dinner, or simply because the night still feels young.

Wellness, too, is handled with discretion. Tucked away on the rooftop level is The Principal’s private Wellness Suite, available for exclusive bookings. Designed for solo or couples treatments, it offers a level of privacy and calm that feels worlds away from the street below. Massages and therapies unfold with the city stretching out beyond the windows—less spa-as-destination, more spa-as-sanctuary.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

Step outside, and Madrid waits. Puerta del Sol, Cibeles, the Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofía, and neighborhoods like Salesas, Malasaña, Chueca, and Huertas are all within walking distance, each offering a different facet of the city’s personality. The Principal doesn’t attempt to replace the destination—it enhances it.

In a capital defined by energy, The Principal Madrid succeeds by offering perspective: an elevated retreat where luxury feels effortless, service is intuitive, and the city below is always ready when you are.

Photo Credit: The Principal Madrid

The Principal Madrid is located at C. del Marqués de Valdeiglesias, 1, Centro, 28004 Madrid, Spain