A five-star palace in the heart of Madrid where service and breakfast steal the show.
Best for / Tips to get it right
Best for
- Couples who want a central base with a pool: 32% of reviews highlight the location and 23% mention the rooftop and pool as a highlight.
- Food-first travellers: 23% of reviews praise the restaurant and 16% call out the breakfast, with one guest saying it is the best they have had in a four- or five-star hotel.
- Design lovers: several reviews mention the garden terrace, the art collection and the eclectic decor as part of the experience.
- Spa and recovery seekers: one review describes a Thai massage as spectacular, and the spa is mentioned as a standout.
Tips to get it right
- Book a room away from the street if you are a light sleeper, as some reviews mention street noise.
- Check whether breakfast is included in your rate, as it is a highlight but not always part of the price.
- Ask for a room on a higher floor if you want to make the most of the views, as the hotel is in a central location.
- Reserve a table at the rooftop or restaurant in advance, as they are popular and can fill up.
Why this one
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá sits on Cuesta de Santo Domingo, a short walk from the Opera and the Royal Palace. It is a five-star hotel with a pool and a rooftop that 23% of the reviews in our sample highlight. The location gets praised in 32% of the reviews, which makes sense for a hotel in the middle of the centre. The staff is the standout signal: 22 of the 44 reviews we read (50%) mention them in glowing terms. The breakfast also has a strong following, with 7 mentions (16%) and one guest calling it the best they have had in any four- or five-star hotel. The restaurant and the rooftop service each appear in 10 reviews (23%). Families are mentioned in 5 reviews (11%), often with a note of thanks for making a family stay special. The beds get a nod in 5 reviews (11%) for quality and comfort. This is a hotel that aims to please, and most guests leave feeling it did.
What guests keep saying
The staff is the most repeated praise, with half of the reviews we read (22 of 44) highlighting their friendliness and helpfulness. The location also scores high, mentioned in 32% of reviews, with guests loving how central it is for exploring Madrid. The pool and rooftop get a mention in 23% of reviews, often for the service up there. The restaurant and breakfast are also strong points, each appearing in 23% and 16% of reviews respectively, with one guest calling the breakfast the best they have had in any four- or five-star hotel.
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staffpraised 22 / 50%
“The staff was friendly, accommodating, and so helpful.”
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locationpraised 14 / 32%
“A beautiful hotel in a charming location!”
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pool and rooftoppraised 10 / 23%
“Service at rooftop was amazing!”
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the restaurantpraised 10 / 23%
“Great hotel, great service and restaurant.”
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breakfastpraised 7 / 16%
“Great service too at breakfast!”
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the bedpraised 5 / 11%
“The bed and linens are good quality.”
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familiespraised 5 / 11%
“Thank you so much, Juanma, and we hope to return soon and enjoy it with our family.”
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breakfastflagged 4 / 9%
Check the sources yourself
We show 5 of the 44 reviews we read, with a direct link to each one on its original site. Open any of them and check that the quote and the count are real.
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Connie Walsh ★★★★★ 26 October 2026
“A superb, memorable hotel stay that exceeded all expectations. More than anything, the reason for 5 stars was the Front Desk and Guest Experience Team, who went above and beyond to make our stay wonderful -- we really appreciated their...”
Backs up: staff Open on Google -
Lisa Williams ★★★★★ 21 October 2026
“My daughter and I had an absolutely wonderful stay at the Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá during our visit to Madrid, which was the beginning of a special international trip celebrating my birthday.<br><br>From the moment we arrived, the...”
Backs up: location Open on Google
Avila & Segovia Tour with Tickets to Monuments from Madrid
The bit the hotel does not tell you
The hotel has a partnership with Audi that includes a hotel car, which a guest mentions as a major plus. The garden terrace is a quiet spot that several reviews describe as charming, and the art collection and fan collection are worth exploring if you are interested in the decor. The RedLevel service gets mixed mentions, so if you are considering it, check what it includes for your dates.
Who we pictured staying here
Couples on a getaway
Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá is central enough for walking to dinner and has a rooftop pool for downtime. The 32% of reviews that highlight the location confirm it is a good base for a couple's break.
See allFood-first travellers
The restaurant and breakfast are strong points, with 23% and 16% of reviews mentioning them. One guest called the breakfast the best they have had in a four- or five-star hotel.
See allDesign lovers
The hotel has a garden terrace, an art collection and a fan collection that guests mention exploring. The eclectic decor and the palace setting are part of the appeal for design-minded travellers.
See allWhile you are in Madrid
Experiences booked through Viator. We may earn a commission on these, never on your room.
Three Cities in One Day: Segovia, Avila and Toledo from Madrid
Toledo Tour from Madrid: Cathedral, Synagogue & St. Tome's Church
Madrid Tapas & Wine Tasting Food Tour – Small Group Local Bars
From Madrid: Toledo & Segovia Day Tour with Lunch & Tickets
Toledo Half or Full Day Tour with Optional Lunch from Madrid
Before you book
What is the distance from Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá to the main attractions?
Is breakfast included at Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá?
Does Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá have a pool?
Is Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá good for families?
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