URSO Hotel & Spa ★★★★★

Just a couple of months ago, a smiling doorman in camel-coloured livery flung open the French doors of the URSO Hotel & Spa for the very first time. This former palace has been completely renovated to an extraordinarily high standard, and despite its contemporary design aesthetic, it lacks none of the luxury and elegance of a truly regal stay in the Spanish capital. Befitting a brand-new, luxury boutique hotel, the staff were attentive and helpful; their recommendations and advice for our stay in the capital proved infallible.

Having been warmly welcomed by a friendly receptionist in the elegant lobby, with its chinoiserie wallpaper and Louis XVI chairs, we were shown to our Junior Suite. Spacious and tastefully decorated with an identifiable attention to detail, we quickly felt at home. The large windows offered clear, unobstructed views, and flooded our room with light. Rich parquet and a dark, king-sized four-poster add a touch of glamour, otherwise our room was predominantly decorated in crisp whites and soft greys, for a cool, calming, and effortlessly chic ambience. After unwinding in our comfortable lounge area, and enjoying a coffee from our Nespresso machine, we wrapped up in our fluffy bathrobe and slippers and ventured downstairs in search of the spa.

Managed by and supplied with products from Natura Bissé, a world-renowned master of the art of relaxation, the spa is this former palace’s crowning glory. Intimate and discreet, the spa is concealed on the ground floor, and strikes the perfect balance between aesthetic design, functional practicality, and a calming, relaxing ambience. While I enjoyed a quick workout in the – small, but well-equipped – fitness suite, my partner took the opportunity to unwind with a men’s facial and one of the massages from the extensive treatment menu. I finished up by unwinding in the hammam, and, rejuvenated and invigorated, we were ready to face the crowded streets beyond the doors of the hotel.

The city of Madrid is dynamic and vibrant, awake at all hours and boasting a typical Spanish charm. It also boasts a wealth of historical and architectural culture: its cobbled streets are occupied by energetic street musicians, and grandiose buildings house characteristically crowded tapas restaurants. A late evening stroll around the neighbourhood was enough for us, and we returned to our regal room at the URSO Hotel & Spa. Our bed had been turned down, and our room lights dimmed upon our return, and we effortlessly slipped into a deep, restful sleep.

The next day, in the bright airy dining room, with its lush garden walls and refined, elegant ambience, we savoured a rich, varied breakfast, before quenching our thirst for culture in Madrid’s many museums. On the menu: first, the Prado, followed by the Museo Centro de Arte Reina Sofia, before taking a turn in the autumnal, afternoon sun in the Parque del Retiro. By the end of the day, we decided to try the URSO Hotel’s dining concept, ‘The Table by’. This pop-up restaurant offers six different Michelin-starred chefs the opportunity to take over the URSO Hotel kitchens in a month-long residency. Of course, if the in-house menu doesn’t take your fancy, around the hotel there are plenty of traditional tapas bars and tabernas, and the new Barceló Market just steps away from the hotel offers an extraordinary range of regional and international produce.

With excellent service fit for a king and palatial interior design, in the city that plays host to the Spanish royal family, the URSO Hotel & Spa provide guests with a truly regal experience in a charming, historic setting.