Santo Mauro Hotel Review: An Oasis in Madrid

The Santo Mauro, a Marriott Luxury Collection hotel, is located in Madrid’s historic Chamberi district. Situated in an area with a neighborhood feel, the property is located near several popular museums, theaters and tapas bars. It’s also just blocks away from a stop on Madrid’s Metro line.

With some buildings dating back as far as the 18th century, the property is a former palace that belonged to the Duke of Santo Mauro, once a prominent figure in Madrid society.

The property officially became part of Marriott’s Luxury Collection in late 2021, joining Marriott’s network of high-end, locally-authentic hotels. Here’s everything you need to know about the Santo Mauro hotel in Madrid.

Location

The Santo Mauro is located in the upscale and peaceful Almagro neighborhood of Madrid’s Chamberi district. You won’t find the typical honking horns, noise or bustling energy of a major metropolitan center here.

Nearby, you’ll find restaurants, art galleries and plenty of foreign embassies; the U.S. embassy, for example, is just blocks away.

The property is northeast of Madrid’s Plaza Mayor — a short, 10-minute car or taxi ride away, depending on traffic. The hotel is also not far from the Prado, the city’s iconic art museum.

Closer — and more walkable — is the Sorolla art museum and Teatros del Canal, a performing arts center that hosts flamenco shows.

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Hotel design

The Santo Mauro consists of three separate buildings, one of which was once part of the Duke of Santo Mauro’s estate. In all, the property offers 49 guest rooms.

The buildings all feature French-inspired architecture, including towering ceilings, courtyards and lush gardens, providing a distinctly upscale feel.

Before debuting as part of The Luxury Collection, the hotel underwent a significant renovation, bringing its facilities up to date while still giving a historical nod to its 19th-century past.

When you first arrive at the hotel, you’ll enter through large gates under a stone arch — an entrance that could easily be mistaken for one of the many embassies in the neighborhood.

On the hotel’s grounds, there are terraces, gardens, fountains and lush, landscaped greenery — ranging from centuries-old chestnut trees to tropical palms and plenty of flowers.

Inside the main building, on the iconic first floor, each room is designed with a distinct theme, color and decor in mind — such as the aptly-named Red Room, inspired by French Baroque design and architecture.

Each of the rooms on the first floor offers a place to sit and mingle, get some work done or enjoy a few refreshments.

The property is almost entirely devoid of corporate Marriott Bonvoy signage. That’s typically the case at properties in The Luxury Collection, which strives for “hotels that define the destination,” instead of a typical chain property.

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Food and beverage

The Santo Mauro features a few different dining options, ranging from formal dining experiences to casual atmospheres.

The property’s flagship restaurant is La Biblioteca, which is housed in a small, classically-inspired space that once served as the Duke of Santo Mauro’s library. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, in addition to a special Sunday brunch, it showcases the finest of Spanish cuisine.

Because eating here is a fine-dining experience, be sure to note the formal dress code.

Inside the main building, you’ll also find the Gresca Wine Bar, which has a lounge-type atmosphere and is located just off the lobby. Here you can enjoy some wine, try out a new cocktail or sample delectable tapas, all in a relaxed environment,

As we visited during the summer months, we made the heaviest use — as any guest should — of the property’s beautiful outdoor dining.

With a garden patio-style setting, you can sip wine and enjoy tapas in the middle of lush greenery and bubbling fountains.

If you wish to get outside, you can opt for patio table seating. There’s a canopy that unfolds when it gets too hot, as it did during our stay — with daily high temperatures reaching to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

The gardens proved to be wonderful place to relax with a cafe con leche and croissants after an overnight transatlantic flight and very early morning arrival in Madrid.

Later, we rounded out a hot day exploring Madrid with white wine, pan con tomate and tuna carpaccio under umbrellas and mist spray, measures the hotel deploys to mitigate sweltering temperatures.

The garden is, quite frankly, one of the defining characteristics of the property. If you’re visiting and the weather is nice, plan to spend some time out there, enjoying an outdoor breakfast or unwinding after a day exploring Madrid.

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Accommodations

Like many Luxury Collection properties, the rooms don't follow the script of any Marriott brand; instead, each room offers its own elaborate and unique wallpaper and decor.

Along with the king-sized bed, our room featured a sitting area with two chairs and a coffee table.

Importantly, the hotel’s guest rooms do have air conditioning, which you can adjust to your preferences — a relief during a European heat wave.

The bathroom was expansive, with three distinct sections: a white marble vanity with dual sinks, a walk-in closet and a shower and toilet.

Then, just off the bathroom, a walk-in closet offers more than adequate storage and room to hang clothing.

The bathroom came equipped with Le Chemin bath products and, as a nice touch, fresh flowers.

The large, walk-in shower was perfectly sufficient, with dual, rainfall-style shower heads. The bathroom was also equipped with a separate bidet.

In each of the rooms, you’ll find Nespresso machines for coffee, or you can order room service in the morning and have coffee sent up.

The hotel also was diligent about providing bottled water and, on the first day of our stay, a bowl of fresh fruit.

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Amenities

Ultimately, this is a hotel you visit for ultra-comfortable accommodations and great places to eat and drink in a memorable, relaxed setting during your time in Madrid.

Don’t expect a pool or pickleball courts here. Though in announcing the property’s addition to The Luxury Collection a couple of years ago, Marriott indicated the Santo Mauro plans to add a spa and fitness center as part of future renovations.

How to get to the Santo Mauro

The Santo Mauro is about a 20-minute drive, depending on traffic, from Madrid’s Adolfo Suarez Madrid airport. We arrived early in the morning, and a taxi ride to the property cost about $32 (30 euro).

Nearby Metro stations are only a short walk from the hotel, too. The Ruben Dario Metro station is just a five minute walk away and was exceedingly easy to reach.

Anecdotally speaking, the taxis also proved to be remarkably convenient and cheap, with major city attractions reachable for less than $10 one-way, we found.

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Santo Mauro hotel recapped

The Santo Mauro, a Marriott Luxury Collection Hotel, is an upscale property in a quiet Madrid neighborhood featuring an eclectic variety of art and architecture. It’s also a memorable place to relax with a glass of wine and some tapas.

For Marriott Bonvoy loyalists, it’s a place to relax in comfort after a long day touring the Spanish capital.

(Top photo courtesy of Sean Cudahy)