The Westin Palace Madrid

The Westin Palace, Madrid, is one of the city's most storied grand hotels, opened in 1912 by King Alfonso XIII, who wanted a luxury hotel to rival the great establishments of Paris and London. Designed by architect León Marqués, the building is renowned for its stunning stained-glass cupola crowning the central lobby lounge, La Rotonda, which has long been a favored meeting spot for politicians, journalists, and socialites given the hotel's proximity to the Spanish parliament. Over the decades, it has hosted countless dignitaries, artists, and celebrities, and it holds a place in Spanish history as the site where the 1981 constitution establishing the current monarchy's took place. Located in the heart of Madrid's "Golden Triangle of Art," the hotel sits within easy walking distance of the Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, and the Reina Sofía, making it a popular base for culture-focused travelers. It offers several restaurants and bars, elegant guest rooms blending classic and contemporary styles. Today it operates under Marriott's Westin brand, but it retains much of its early-20th-century character, standing as a link between Belle Époque Madrid and the modern city.