Ready for the royal treatment? Madrid’s revamped Mandarin Oriental Ritz will see you now

Whenever the glitterati — the likes of Diana, Princess of Wales, Grace Kelly and Yves Saint Laurent — were in Madrid, they were likely to be seen hanging out at the iconic Hotel Ritz, a short stroll from El Retiro Park in the heart of the city. Now, following a three-year, top-to-bottom renovation (and a change in ownership), the palatial retreat, renamed the Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid, has reopened its doors.

The historic hotel first started welcoming guests in 1910, after King Alfonso XIII recruited César Ritz (the legendary Swiss hotelier behind Paris’s Hôtel Ritz and the Ritz London) to supervise the design and build of a spot worthy of visiting royalty.

To bring the Ritz into 2021, renowned Spanish architect Rafael de La-Hoz was tapped to carefully preserve the building’s Belle Époque esthetic, while acclaimed French designers Gilles & Boissier tackled the interiors. Antique art and chandeliers from the hotel’s archives are arranged throughout. Some suites also showcase hand-painted murals, like the cloud-inspired ceiling by Spanish artist Johina García-Concheso in the ultra-private Presidential Suite.

There’s an airy brightness to the 100 rooms and 53 suites (starting at $958), with crisp whites on the walls, cosy linens and marble bathroom flooring. Each Turret Suite includes a relaxing terrace, overlooking the Prado Museum or Plaza de la Lealtad for extra sightseeing. The Royal Suite, specifically designed for the most illustrious guests and located on the first floor (the original hotel had no elevators, and royals were not asked to trudge up the stairs), boasts its own dining room and a stand-alone marble bathtub.

With five on-site restaurants and bars — all developed by Quique Dacosta, the Spanish chef with his own three-Michelin-starred eponymous restaurant — guests have options for whatever may strike their fancy.

Head to the extravagant Deessa for the Mediterranean-style tasting menu, featuring Dacosta’s most famed, contemporary dishes, like chili pepper and smoked eel soup. Stop by the lush Palm Court for afternoon tea, or enjoy bubbly and oysters at the intimate, new Champagne Bar, which seats only eight. Don’t miss Pictura, a lively cocktail bar, or El Jardín del Ritz, the elegant garden restaurant.

For the first time, guests will also find a spa at this storied hotel. Designed in partnership with the Spanish wellness experts at the Beauty Concept, the serene marble-clad facilities offer bespoke rejuvenating facials and relaxing massages for your very own royal treatment.

The Star understands the restrictions on travel during the coronavirus pandemic. But like you, we dream of travelling again, and we’re publishing this story with future trips in mind.