Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid

I have been lucky to have visited and stayed at many luxury hotels around the world in my time, so I thought I had “seen it all” so to speak. That was until I stayed on a recent trip to Madrid at the absolutely beautiful Hotel Santo Mauro in the upmarket district of Chamberí in the North of the city. Read on to find out more about this incredible Autograph Collection hotel.

Background and Concept

Santo Mauro was the former palace complex of the Duke of Santo Mauro who was an influential member of the Madrid elite at the turn of the century. The hotel has been a popular choice with luxury travellers and celebrities for many years and it is, without doubt, one of the capital’s smartest luxury hotels. The hotel is part of the Autograph Collection (I’ve been in love with this brand ever since I stayed at the Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona and Threadneedles in London).

Style

Santo Mauro is made up of three buildings and a magnificent garden oasis. The main building is the Duke’s former neo-classical palace. The palace has the wow factor from the moment you step in through its doors where your bags are picked up by the porter. The ground floor houses a series of lavish jaw-droppingly decorated ballrooms and reception rooms.

Each room on the ground floor is more over the top than the next one. The Red Room lives up to its name with every shade of red imaginable in use across floors, walls and fabrics. While the Chinese Room next to the Gin bar has a calming soothing quality to it.

Each ballroom is flooded with natural light and furnished with antiques sourced from the collection of Duarte Pinto Coelho a prestigious Portuguese interior designer who lived in Madrid until his death in 2010.

Location

Santo Mauro is located in the district of Chamberí, one of the best addresses in Madrid. The hotel is a twenty min walk and ten minute taxi journey from the Gran Via. Streets in Chamberí are tree-lined and dotted with palatial residences and former palaces. You are away from the tourist areas of the city and next some of the best Tapas restaurants in the city, so make full use of your time here!

Accommodation

In contrast to the over the top style of the ballrooms, the 33 rooms and 16 suites across the palace, stables and annex building have been toned down with tones of greys and taupe, featuring wooden floors and abstract artworks which give the rooms a contemporary clean finish to them.

In true TLE style we had one of the best rooms in the property The Presidential Suite (which I have heard many a celebrity has spent the night in).

Lounge

The Presidential Suite has two entrances, one into the lounge and one into the reception foyer of the suite. This grand lounge space, has two sofas, a dining table, smart TV and bluetooth sound system as well as well stocked minibar.

There is a Nespresso Machine, how can anyone live without out one now!

Once we were settled into the suite a surprise platter of fresh fruit was delivered to the door.

Bedroom

The bedroom has a gigantic kingsize bed, which you can almost get lost in and super dressing table area made out of marble, across from the bed is the smart tv and luggage table and there are a couple of arm chairs on the other side of the room next to the entrance to the bathroom.

Wardrobe

In the suite’s entrance foyer, there is a his and hers wardrobe system as well as a substantial set of drawers to keep your clothes in.

Bathroom

The suite is amazing, but the bathroom was incredible, not many places have a jacuzzi for two set into the middle of the room in addition to a large walk in shower area and twin sinks.

Amenities are by luxury cosmetics brand Natura Bissie and there is also a little goody bag packed with handmade bathroom treats by Diana Burillo (I loved the Himalayan bath salts and handmade lip moisturiser).

Food and Drink

The hotel’s restaurant La Biblioteca is housed in the former library of the palace and serves a range of Spanish inspired dishes. While the Gin Bar plays homage to Art Deco New York and serves a range of all day snacks as well as some divine  cocktails, which I recommend you indulge in!

Breakfast

Breakfast is served in the restaurant and offers a wide range of choices to kick start your day.

Garden

After breakfast we made use of the garden where we enjoyed a second coffee of the day. Although there was a slight chill in the air (it was February after all), it was still really pleasant and I can imagine that in the summer months it would be a stunning place to enjoy dinner al fresco.