In short: Tripplo’s analysis covers a sample of 68 guest reviews of Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World. Guests in the sample highlight Location, Service & staff and Food & restaurants. The most common complaints: Many rooms are smaller than guests expected. Many guests feel it is overpriced for what you get.
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is located 300 metres from Madrid's Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre and the Cathedral. It features a seasonal rooftop pool and a terrace with city views.
Set on a 19th-century palace, Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is inspired by Velazquez's famous paintings and has its own private lush historic garden. There is also a Thai Room wellness center and a 24-hour gym.
Rooms and suites at this hotel feature a 49-inch LED-TV with Chromecast, iPhone docking station, Nespresso coffee machine and free WiFi. The private bathroom includes a shower, heated floors and toiletries.
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World offers 2 restaurants serving Spanish cuisine and wines. There is also a bar and a tea corner.
Plaza Mayor is 500 metres from Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World, and Sabatini Gardens are 300 metres away. The Prado Museum is 20 minutes’ walk away.
Tripplo's verdict, based on guest reviews
Tripplo’s analysis · Updated 10 October 2026 · How we review hotels
Art lovers and history enthusiasts wanting a peaceful garden sanctuary in the city centre will love this hotel. Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World draws exceptional guest reviews. The property features an interior design inspired by Velázquez and a private nineteenth-century garden. A rooftop pool offers panoramic city views, complemented by an authentic Thai Room wellness center. However, the central location brings occasional city noise, and the rooftop pool is strictly seasonal.
Guests score it 9.3 out of 10 — the average across the 10 hotels we list in Madrid is 9.1.
What Guests Loved
- Reproductions of Velázquez's masterpieces are thoughtfully integrated throughout the public spaces and guest rooms, creating a sophisticated gallery-like atmosphere.
- The hotel's central courtyard features a lush, private garden that offers a quiet sanctuary of greenery, a rare find in central Madrid.
Things to Consider
- The rooftop plunge pool and terrace bar operate only during warmer months, limiting outdoor relaxation options for winter guests.
- Situated near the bustling Opera district, street-facing rooms can experience occasional external noise, though double-glazed windows mitigate most of the disturbance.
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Should you book it?
Book it if you want
- Travellers wanting a view and design in one place
- Guests who want the view from the room
- Travellers who notice architecture and interiors
Prices at Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World
When we last checked (13 October 2026), a 2-night stay for two adults cost from €1,054 in total (€527 per night).
Across our last 30 daily price checks, the nightly rate has ranged from €489 to €1,606.
Prices sampled daily by Tripplo for a two-adult stay about a month ahead, in EUR. Your dates may differ — use the price check to see live availability.
What guests actually say
Tripplo’s analysis uses a sample of 68 guest reviews. Texts may be shortened. Mentions are counted after automated classification and describe the sample, rather than every guest’s experience.
The sample follows how Booking.com and Google sort reviews, which puts satisfied guests first, so criticism is under-represented. Read the drawbacks below and the latest reviews on Booking.com before you book.
Food & restaurants
- +A well-regarded breakfast, which some enjoy in the garden
- +The Red Level lounge offers food and drinks throughout the day
- +The restaurant and the sweets in the lounge win praise
- –Some find breakfast bland or basic, with concentrated juice instead of fresh
- –Breakfast is served indoors in a cramped room despite the terrace
- –The bar is sometimes closed or disappointing
”The buffets and breakfast service were excellent.” — guest, translated
Service & staff
- +Warm, attentive and professional staff
- +Personal touches such as a birthday card, a welcome treat and an early check-in
- +Red Level guests feel especially well looked after
- –Some find the front desk cold and unwelcoming
- –Requests are not always followed up, such as water, towels or the room being made up
- –Mistakes such as a forgotten airport pick-up, a billing error and a different room from the one booked
”Every single person working there knows you and gives you outstanding personal attention.” — guest, translated
Pools, beach & aquapark
- +A rooftop pool with views over the Royal Palace and the city
- +A good place to cool off and relax after sightseeing
- +The rooftop bar view is a highlight
- –The pool is small and can get crowded
- –The jacuzzi was closed during one stay
”Beautiful rooftop views and pool.” — guest, translated
The rooms
- +Well-appointed rooms with very comfortable beds
- +Some rooms are spacious, and some guests were upgraded
- +A lovely bathtub for unwinding in the evening
- –Many rooms are smaller than guests expected
- –Some rooms are dark, with small windows or little daylight
- –Cramped bathrooms, including a tub squeezed into the shower
”A small room with a small window.” — guest, translated
Condition & cleanliness
- +Rooms are spotless and very clean
- +Housekeeping cleans thoroughly and changes towels twice a day
- +Modern touches that blend well with the old palace
- –Dust and dirt under the beds and in common areas
- –Furniture and maintenance need some attention
”The bedrooms were beautifully decorated and exceptionally clean.” — guest, translated
Location
- +Central, with the Royal Palace, the opera and the old town on foot
- +Tucked away on a quiet side street close to everything
- +A beautiful garden and courtyard
- –One guest found the setting less open and leafy than the photos suggest
”Very close to everything, yet tucked away on a quiet side street – a tranquil escape.” — guest, translated
Noise levels
- +A calm spot despite being so central
- +The quiet side street makes for peaceful nights
- –One guest felt the insulation could be better
”Very close to the centre and the main sights, all on foot. A quiet spot.” — guest, translated
Value for money
- –Many guests feel it is overpriced for what you get
- –Small rooms do not match the high price
- –Drinks at the pool bar are expensive
”Overrated, not worth the price.” — guest, translated
Frequently asked questions
How far is Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World from the airport?
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is 14.9 km from Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD).
How far is Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World from the centre of Madrid?
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is 650 m from the centre of Madrid.
How do guests rate Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World?
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is rated 4.7 out of 5 on Google, based on 2,616 reviews. On Booking.com it scores 9.3/10 from 1,432 guest reviews.
How many stars does Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World have?
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World is a 5-star hotel.
What amenities does Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World offer?
Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World offers outdoor swimming pool, free Wifi, airport shuttle, 2 restaurants, parking on site and bar.
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