Hotel Wellington & Spa

Hotel · Recoletos

Hotel Wellington & Spa

Hotel · Recoletos

Calle Velázquez, 8, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain

Highlights

Nestled in Salamanca, the Wellington Hotel blends regal charm with modern comforts, featuring exquisite dining, a lavish spa, and a stunning rooftop garden.

Calle Velázquez, 8, Salamanca, 28001 Madrid, Spain Get directions

hotel-wellington.com

@hotelwellingtonmadrid

@goop

"While it has all the grown-up trappings of a posh boutique property (a well-stocked bar, gorgeous décor, a Clarins spa), this grand, old-school hotel is surprisingly well equipped to accommodate the 12-and-under crowd, too. The rooftop organic garden alone—it’s one of the largest of its kind in Europe—is enough to keep fleeting attention spans occupied for hours at a time, and the same can be said of the outdoor pool. Food-wise, there’s around-the-clock room service and enough on-site dining options—from sushi to classic Basque to veggie—to please even the finickiest of palates. "

The Madrid Guide

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@cntraveler

Hotel Wellington

"Why did this hotel catch your attention? What's the vibe?Regal and old school, the Wellington is the sort of hotel that will appeal to traditionalists. As you enter, you can't help but bring down your conversation a notch and stand up a little straighter. While other grand dames have weaved a few modern touches into their repertoire, this place is proud to cling to its historic heritage. What's the backstory?Near El Retiro Park in the posh district of Salamanca, this hotel has operated for almost three quarters of a century. Over time, it has mastered its craft and impressed the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Gene Kelly, Matt Damon, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and the Spanish royal family. Tell us about the accommodations. Any tips on what to book?Modern Executive rooms have tall cushioned headboards and Egyptian cotton linens and duvets. Avoid the Classic and larger pool-view Superior rooms—they haven’t been renovated to the same standard as other categories. Grand Premium rooms, meanwhile, are part of the Wellington Club, which comes with access to a private lounge with free breakfast and evening drinks. For suites, the Luxury Suite is the most impressive, with a Hästens handmade mattress, comped airport transfers, and a terrace with killer views from the sixth floor. Is there a charge for Wi-Fi?The room rate includes Wifi. Drinking and dining—what are we looking at?Kabuki, a Michelin-starred sushi restaurant, draws plenty of acclaim from tourists and locals. For Basque fare, Goizeko’s tasting menu isn’t cheap, but it will appeal to adventurous palates. There’s also a rooftop vegetable garden, which guests can peruse, and then taste as they work their way through the hotel's dining outlets. In warmer weather, bring your sunglasses and enjoy tapas on the terrace. And the service?Formal, polished, and buttoned-up. What type of travelers will you find here?The guest list skews older here. If you’re enamored with the finest porcelain or frilly service, this is your place. What about the neighborhood?Salamanca, a shopper’s paradise, is perfect for those with a keen interest on staying in a fashionable neighborhood. It’s a cinch to make it to El Retiro Park for a morning jog, and the neighborhood has exceptional—albeit not cheap—dining. Is there anything you'd change?Once all the rooms are renovated to the same standard, even the lowest category will be a cut above. Any other hotel features worth noting?Ask to borrow one of the hotel’s bikes to cycle around the park. Better yet, climb to the top floor to explore Madrid’s largest rooftop garden. Bottom line: Worth it? Why?Come to be pampered the traditional way. It’s an expense-account kind of place with exceptional service from start to finish." - Ramsey Qubein

https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/madrid/hotel-wellington

View Postcard for Hotel Wellington & Spa

@cntraveler

21 Best Hotels in Madrid

"Regal and old school, the Wellington is the sort of hotel that will appeal to traditionalists. As you enter, you can't help but bring down your conversation a notch and stand up a little straighter. While other grand dames have weaved a few modern touches into their repertoire, this place is proud to cling to its historic heritage. Over nearly three-quarters of a century, the Wellington has mastered its craft and impressed the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Gene Kelly, Matt Damon, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, and the Spanish royal family. Come to be pampered the traditional way. It’s an expense-account kind of place with exceptional service from start to finish." - Ramsey Qubein

https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-hotels-in-madrid

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Alejandro AK

Google

I stayed at Wellington Hotel & Spa with my parents and we had a wonderful experience. The hotel had a warm and welcoming atmosphere, making it ideal for a family stay. Our room was clean, comfortable, and well-maintained. One of the highlights of our visit was the breakfast—it was absolutely perfect. The variety, quality, and freshness of the food exceeded our expectations, and the staff were attentive and courteous throughout our stay. Overall, a great hotel with excellent service. We would happily return.

Thomas Kiriazis

Google

The hotel is a first class hospitality establishment in all respects. Professional and courteous service throughout. Especially by Mrs Patricia Hernandez Maillo who resolved a parking issue where I took certain liberties without receiving clear instructions. Mrs Maillo was able to preserve a guest relation while politely clarifying the situation. On another note the Sunday Brunch was outstanding and should be sampled by guest seeking a gastronomy experience. Thanks

Larissa Anderson

Google

Skews older: I’ve seen this review on other sites, and want to add clarity, they mean that the crowd is age 50+ Families: - definitely not, the staff had a hard time dealing with our 3 kids at the pool “no jumping” into the pool. Only allowed to enter the pool through the stairs. I understand no diving and no running, and no cannonballs, but kids like to jump in, but we dealt with it, rules are rules. But then… - We weren’t allowed to eat at the pool, although we saw older guests doing it. Felt like it was a child targeted rule made just for us. - the pool bar/restaurant told us they don’t allow wet swimsuits despite the fact it is situated under rows of misters to keep guests cool, and is next to the pool. Also we observed 3 older men having their food in swim shorts. Another rule, just for us. I’m sure this is a delightful hotel for the older, no kids guests, but please don’t waste the money if you have kids.

Joe hedworth

Google

Had its day... a long time ago This hotel apparently had a long standing reputation for luxury, and high value guests, however, things certainly appear to have significantly changed for the worse. The reception staff were extremely rude, and bordering on aggressive and obstructive. The lady, at the desk, the first point of contact, refused to assist me with joining the iPrefer programme or adopt the pricing on the hotel's own website. Walking into the bedroom was like going back in time. The room is in desperate need of not only basic maintenance, but complete renovation. I know not how the hotel gets away with charging the rates it does. The woodwork was rotten and had simply been painted over. The plastic baby pink bath was from the 1970s and the waste did not work so I had to stand in used water to shower. The over head shower was covered in filthy limescale. No one answered the telephone when I got out of the shower to request a visit from maintenance. The bathroom mirror got so steamed up, I had to wait an hour to get ready. There were no other mirrors anywhere in the room which is frankly an astonishing state of affairs for a five star hotel. I specifically requested a quiet room and got no sleep whatsoever. All I could hear through the night was noise from above, and below, Doors constantly crashed closed. Don't be fooled by the photographs. The spa/ pool area bears no resemblance to reality. You walk out onto fake astro turf and have to be careful not to walk into a roof lantern. The pool is something you may see in a public park, rather than a supposedly high end hotel. The primary purpose of staying in a hotel is to get a good night's sleep and I left more tired than when I arrived. When I raised my concerns with the male receptionist he simply sneered at me. Calls to reception about the noise during the night went unanswered. The ethos of this hotel appears to be to treat its customers with absolute contempt which is utterly shameful.

Haleem Chowdhury

Google

A true gem. We stayed here with my young family and were impressed every step of the way. Rooms were elegantly designed. Breakfast had made to order eggs which is always highly appreciated, and made well. Really close to Retiro Park and great restaurants nearby. Service of the staff were impeccable. The staff did have a bit of difficult communicating in English, but nothing out of the ordinary. I would stay here again in a heartbeat.

Eva Markiewicz

Google

Historic charm, next-level brunch, and the kindest staff — but rooms could use a refresh We just spent a night at this historic hotel, and it truly left an impression — the kind of place that feels like it has a soul. From the moment we stepped through the doors, the staff greeted us with such warmth and kindness that even our slightly under-the-weather family started to perk up. They gifted our two kids the most adorable teddy bears, and our 2-year-old beamed like it was her birthday. One kind staff member even helped clean her bib during brunch — despite the elegant, high-society setting, they made us feel entirely welcome. Let’s talk about brunch, because oh my. I’ve had many brunches in my life, but this one easily made the top tier — it was a full-on produce-forward, dessert-spectacular, tea-lover’s dream. • First: the tea selection. Real teas, high quality, and beautifully presented. • Second: fresh and roasted vegetables galore — arugula, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts. As someone who eats mostly vegetables, this was a major standout. • Third: the fresh fruit was next-level. Raspberries, dragon fruit, blackberries, kiwi, grapefruit, and hands down some of the best pineapple I’ve ever had. • Fourth: plenty of protein options like eggs, little quiches, and beautiful cheeses. • Fifth: juices everywhere – fresh orange, carrot, green juice. • Sixth: a giant slab of honeycomb and multiple kinds of local honey. • And lastly: the dessert table was epic. Cheesecake, cookies, croissants, flaky layered wonders — I had to exercise serious restraint, and I still overdid it. Now, for a little honesty: as charming as the hotel is, the rooms are ready for some renovation. The heating situation was tough — especially since we were all feeling a bit under the weather. There was no modern temperature control, and while the staff kindly brought us a space heater (no hesitation, and very appreciated!), it’s a noticeable gap compared to similarly priced hotels nearby. The carpet in our room was also not ideal — it was grey and a bit dated, but more importantly, carpet just can’t be truly sanitized. It harbors dust mites, bacteria, and stains over time. As a family with little kids (and sensitive noses), we’d love to see this updated to hardwood or tile in the future. We also noticed some drooping light fixtures and found the central courtyard a little underwhelming — it has so much potential, but doesn’t match the elegance of the interior spaces. And while the hotel isn’t inexpensive, the room quality doesn’t quite justify the price, especially considering other nearby hotels (like the H10 we stayed at the night before) offer more modern comfort at a similar or lower rate. Still — the heart of this hotel is undeniable. The people who work here clearly care deeply, and the building itself is full of history, elegance, and warmth. If they invest in upgrading the rooms while maintaining the charm, it could be absolutely spectacular. We’ll definitely be back — at the very least for brunch and chocolate con churros — and to visit the lovely staff who made us feel right at home. A hotel with a heartbeat, and a brunch with its own fan club.

Anton Shlavenets

Google

1. it is impossible to imagine that a hotel for this price and of this standard would require an extra charge for a spa. if it was a proper large spa complex, it would be a bathhouse and an old swimming pool in the basement! 2. The temperature control did not work in the room. The fittings are old and scratched. The room leaves much to be desired. 3. very noisy, insulation at a low level. 4. The staff don't care about you. You need to pursue what he. Promises. For example, things for the dog: brought only after an hour and after my insistent reminder. Horrible hotel, terrible service, not worth the money. And with spa - it's impudence and ugly!

Hedaya Abdulmajed

Google

Honestly I don’t know what to say about this little gem in the heart of one of my favorite cities in the world . The Wellington hotel and spa is simply perfect . The staff at the front desk , the concierge, the staff at the breakfast room and let’s not forget the super friendly porter at the entrance and even the security guards… every single one of them is so cheerful, smiley and welcoming . I would , in a heart beat stay here again on my next visit to Madrid . They even were kind enough to arrange to pick up the famous trendy Alex Cordobes cheese cake and bring it to our room ( the cake was not worth it by the way 😂). So thank you to all the staff and hope to see you again . Oh only one thing : the clima ( AC) in the room needs to be cooler . I hope if we come in summer it actually cools the room more . Apart from that everything was perfect .