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1952
Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Calle Velázquez, Madrid, Spain, 28001
Original Property Opened in 1952
Historic Hotels Worldwide member since 2025
In April 1952, amid great transformations in Spain, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid opened its doors. The first guest to sleep at the hotel left a message in the guest register that reads, “it is with great satisfaction that I sign this registry as the first Spaniard to stay at this magnificent hotel; a hotel comparable to the best in the world.” Owner Baltasar Ibán Valdés, a transportation businessman and the founder of a bullfighting breed that carries his name, had realized his dream of opening a luxurious hotel in Madrid. The fine establishment felt both local and universal, quickly attracting renowned guests from across the world.
Today, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid celebrates the vibrancy of life in the Spanish capital. Its central location allows for easy access to Madrid’s rich tradition of art, food, fashion, and culture. With 237 rooms and impeccable offerings fit for any guests’ needs, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid is an illustrious historic hotel of timeless glamor and elegance.
Discover
- Discover how different eras of 20th-century art and architecture fuse together in the spaces occupied by Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid. The original building is catalogued and protected in the architectural Heritage of Madrid, while the hotel interior is styled in the timeless splendor of the mid-century. The hotel’s expansion onto Velázquez Street in the 1970s incorporated the famous former apartment of the Spanish avant-garde artists Ramón Acín and, later, Ramón Gómez de la Serna. From 1922 until the Spanish Civil War, Gómez de la Serna turned the Madrid apartment into an iconic hub of Cubism, Dadaism, and Surrealism. Gómez de la Serna was known to retreat from gatherings to his study located in the building’s distinctive corner turret. Lights could be seen from Velázquez Street when the writer was hard at work at all hours of the night, and the corner study became known as “Torreón de Velázquez” or the Velázquez Tower.
- Discover why Madrid became an inspiration for literary luminaries like Ernest Hemingway, Serafín and Joaquín Álvarez Quintero, and Nobel Laureate José Cela, each of whom at one point stayed at Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid.
- Stroll through the Salamanca neighborhood, which owes its name to its promoter and city planner, José de Salamanca. The neighborhood encompasses striking plazas such as Marqués de Salamanca and some of the city’s most famous restaurants.
Explore
- Explore haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion in the Salamanca shopping avenue known as the “Golden Mile.” This fashion district is located between Ortega y Gasset Street and Serrano Street. The Golden Mile showcases both Spanish and international designers. Guests of Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid receive exclusive discounts for Golden Mile boutiques.
- Tour the city’s world-class museums. Three museums – the Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, and Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum – make up the Salamanca district’s “Golden Triangle of Art.”
- Take in Spanish cultural heritage at the capital city’s three historic performance halls: Teatro Real, Teatro Lara, and Teatro Español. One of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe and located across from the royal palace, Teatro Real has stewarded grand operatic traditions since 1738. Originally a public open-air theater, Teatro Español’s building dates to the 16th century and has since been home to Spain’s greatest directors and playwrights. Nicknamed “Don Cándido's Candy Box” for its founding patron, the charming Teatro Lara is a 460-seat theater beloved by locals since its opening in 1880.
Experience
- Enjoy a wine and culinary experience in Madrid. Travel to a vineyard in the heart of the Salamanca neighborhood on an exclusive winery experience by Wellington Hotel & Spa. Guests will enjoy some tapas or gourmet dishes paired with the best wines.
- Ride through nearby Retiro Park for a stylish private picnic in Madrid’s most famous outdoor space hosted by Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid. The hotel offers this dining experience as a carefree way to enjoy their best cuisine in a beloved city setting. Choose from three exclusive picnic menus: “Spanish,” “healthy,” or “deluxe,” the latter including a private waiter.
- Experience a romantic evening overlooking Madrid’s nighttime skyline during a private rooftop dinner for two. The romantic dinner features a menu specially created for the occasion by the hotel’s chef.
Taste
- Try the “El cocido del Wellington” at The Wellington Lobby at Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid. The dish “Cocido Madrileño” is a Madrid staple that translates to “Madrid stew.” The dish features a rich, slow-cooked broth base served alongside a platter of delicious meats and vegetables. Diners have their choice to combine ingredients at the table. The most common additions to the broth are chickpeas, pickled peppers, and tender beef. Traditionally found around a family’s table, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid chefs have made sure their version of this Madrid favorite has graced the hotel’s menu since its founding.
- Seek out one of the exclusive “Gastronomic Days” at Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid, where creativity and expert craft come together to delight the palate. During these special days, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid becomes the epicenter of the finest flavors, offering a spectacular selection of dishes crafted by the hotel’s executive chef. Enjoy top-quality ingredients, pioneering recipes, and perfect pairings in a sophisticated setting.
- Explore Mercado de la Paz and taste the flavors of Madrid. Mercado de la Paz is a food market in the Salamanca District that has been operating since 1882. With over 60 local vendors, travelers have the chance to try favorites like Iberian ham or tortilla española, a Spanish egg and potato omelette.
- Taste the vibrant energy of a sunny afternoon with a sip of Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid’s Summer Breeze cocktail. The Summer Breeze has a fresh tropical touch, and a bold dash of yellow curry adds a surprising and delicious warmth.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offer
Best Available Rate
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotelsWorldwide.com and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, a member of the International National Trusts Organisation.
