Hotel Urban

Hotel Urban is one of Madrid's best-known design hotels, part of the Barcelona-based Derby Hotels group. It stands on Carrera de San Jerónimo, a short walk from Puerta del Sol and almost opposite the Congress of Deputies, within the triangle formed by the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Reina Sofía museums. The hotel rises around a dramatic glass atrium over seven floors.

Art is central to the hotel's identity. The Derby group is known for its art collections, and at the Urban you will find ancient and ethnological art, including pieces from Papua New Guinea, displayed in a museum hall and throughout the public areas, with large wooden sculptures in the lobby. The interiors pair these with gold accents and unusual materials such as Guatemalan green marble and teak.

The hotel has 96 rooms and suites, designed in a sleek contemporary style. Food is a highlight: CEBO, run by the chefs Javier Sanz and Juan Sahuquillo, holds a Michelin star and serves inventive tasting menus, while GLASS, the cocktail bar in the lobby, serves small plates from the CEBO kitchen. In summer, the rooftop terrace opens with a pool, a bar and a short menu, and views over the rooftops of central Madrid make it a popular spot for an evening drink.

The hotel is listed with Small Luxury Hotels of the World, and its blend of art, design and gastronomy sets it apart from the larger chain hotels in the area. The Urban suits design lovers, couples and travellers who want a stylish base close to both the museums and the nightlife of the Barrio de las Letras and Huertas. Business travellers appreciate the central location near Parliament, and the lobby bar works well for an informal meeting over a drink. Because CEBO is popular with locals as well as guests, book a table in advance if you want to eat there during your stay. Check-in is from 15:00 and check-out by 12:00.

Sevilla metro station is a couple of minutes' walk away, and Sol is around five minutes on foot. The Thyssen-Bornemisza is just down the street, the Prado is around ten minutes away, and the Plaza de Santa Ana and Calle de las Huertas, with their bars and restaurants, are a few steps south. Madrid-Barajas Airport is about 15 kilometres away.