One of some fabulous five-star hotels in Madrid, AC Palacio del Retiro opened its doors in 2004 after finding its home in a 1908 listed building looking out onto the Retiro park. Unlike many modern hotels in Madrid, whose small corridors and pokey rooms have been designed with profitability per square metre in mind, the ceilings at AC Palacio del Retiro are high and the rooms are enormous, particularly in the case of the suites.

The original classical splendour of the building has been carefully preserved, although modern touches – such as the backlit reception desk and carefully chosen furniture in the bar area – bring it suitably into the 21st century. Apart from the wonderful view of the park, the location makes it perfect for the sightseer, given its proximity to Madrid’s ‘golden triangle’ of art museums, the Paseo de Recoletos and its location in front of the famous Parque del Retiro.