The Madrid EDITION: The City’s Ultimate Penthouse Stay

Madrid is one of Europe’s most compelling cultural capitals—and a member of the three Magical Ms of 2026, “the three darling cities of this year,” according to Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley. The Spanish capital is experiencing a creative renaissance, with a new generation of galleries, design studios, restaurants and hotels reshaping neighborhoods across the city. And still as appealing as ever: the wide, leafy avenues, world-class museums, traditional cuisine, late-night lifestyle and sophisticated yet warm local energy.

For U.S. travelers, Madrid has also become remarkably convenient. Expanded nonstop service from hubs including New York, Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., paired with easy onward connections throughout Spain, Portugal, Morocco and the Mediterranean, makes Madrid equally appealing as a standalone long weekend escape or as a sophisticated stopover en route elsewhere in Europe, Africa and beyond.

For a stylish home base, few hotels capture Madrid in this moment better than The Madrid EDITION. Set on a beautiful, tranquil plaza, the hotel is located in the heart of the city, home to convivial tapas bars and sidewalk cafés. A stone’s throw from the Royal Theatre, Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace, it is also bordered along its northern edge by Gran Vía, the Broadway of Madrid, which is lined by a broad sweep of impressive architecture.

Designed in collaboration with Ian Schrager, the hotel has restrained yet glamorous, sculptural interiors with a distinctly contemporary Spanish sensibility. The Madrid EDITION showcases 200 guest rooms, including 21 spacious suites, 77 connecting rooms with multiple units for family travel and the two largest penthouses suites in the capital. Rooms are calming and quietly luxurious, with a palette of white oak, natural stone and bronze, as well as blond wood accents, curated lighting and textiles. Bathrooms are finished in ivory stone with brushed brass fixtures, and some rooms include balconies or terraces.

The true standout here are the penthouse suites—among the most exclusive in Madrid and two of the largest in the city. Conceived as private residences against the Madrid sky, the suites span two floors each and offer one to three interconnecting bedrooms for up to six guests. The Madrid Penthouse and Opera Penthouse combine elevated contemporary interiors with expansive panoramic private terraces, each featuring their own gardens, swimming pools and sweeping, west-facing sunset views across the city’s most iconic architectural landmarks—creating a true sense of seclusion in the heart of the city. The upper floors contain bedrooms, while the lower floors have bright and airy entertainment and dining spaces, with butler’s kitchens (plus, a discreet service entrance ensuring total privacy).

Both penthouses can also connect to adjoining suites, making them especially well-suited to multigenerational family travel, larger groups, celebrations or travelers seeking a more residential-style stay in the heart of the city (a rare setup in Madrid’s luxury hotel scene). The penthouse experience is further elevated by special wellness and lifestyle amenities like private transfers throughout the stay and the option to book personal training sessions within the privacy of the suite or in the state-of-the-art guest gym.

The other 21 suites are elegantly modern, with separate living and sleeping areas; many offer a panoramic view of the Descalzas Square. They include multiple connecting units, as well as an exclusive selection of rooms with private terraces (like the Studio Terrace One Bedroom Suite). In addition to the penthouses, the suite categories include: the One Bedroom Corner Suite, Loft Corner Suite, Superior One Bedroom Suite, Premier One Bedroom Suite and Studio Terrace One Bedroom Suite.

Beyond the rooms, like all EDITION properties, the hotel’s social spaces carry much of its energy and feel plugged into the local creative world. The rooftop draws both guests and locals with its city views and Oroya restaurant, helmed by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz. (The dreamy pool and cabanas that are up here, however, are for hotel guests only.) The lobby lounge and specialty cocktail bar Punch Room stay active well into the evening, creating a buzzier vibe compared to the atmosphere at many of the city’s grand hotels. Guests should not miss a game at the spectacular billiard table in the lobby; designer Emmanuel Levet Stenne sculpted it from a single slab of white Bianco Neve matte marble. There is also a large light-filled two-story ballroom for private events. Other amenities include the gym and spa, with five treatment rooms for signature experiences like a private steam and mud bath.

Bringing a super contemporary aesthetic to old Madrid, The EDITION is for the cool set. Especially ideal for a long weekend getaway is the property’s proximity to several of Madrid’s most dynamic neighborhoods: Justicia and Salesas—now packed with independent fashion boutiques, wine and specialty coffee bars and design stores—are a short stroll away. The surrounding streets around Sol and Ópera also make it easy to move between historic Madrid and the city’s newer scene.

Below, get our favorite places to eat, shop, explore and more near this Indagare favorite, for a lovely long weekend in Madrid.

These are the places to pair with your stay, recommended by members of the Indagare community:

Where to Eat & Drink: New and Notable

• For bocadillos: Apetito House
• For natural sips: FUN FUN Wine Bar
• For contemporary seafood: La Sartén
• For Michelin-starred Japanese-Mediterranean fusion: Yugo The Bunker
• For a quick break: Casa Victoria
  

Top Shops: Markets, Ateliers & More

• For family-owned footwear: Casa Hernanz
• For cult-favorite jewelry: Helena Rohner
• For independent artisan goods: COCOL
• For cultinary treasures: Mercado de San Miguel
• For heritage craftsmanship: Capas Seseña
  

Explore & Experience: The Classics

• For royal history: Palacio Real
• For local tradition: Corral de la Moriera
• For priceless artworks: Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza and Museo Nacional Reina Sofía
• For a dose of nature: Retiro Park
• For fútbol and family fun: Bernabéu

This article was created in partnership with Marriott International, Inc.