History
A journey through the history of the heart of Madrid
The Gran Hotel Inglés, the oldest luxury hotel in the capital, originally opened its doors in 1886.
FROM ENGLISH CAFÉ TO GLOBAL HOTEL ICON
It all began on 27 July 1886, when the businessman Agustín Ibarra -owner of the famous Café Inglés- opened in Calle del Lobo (nowadays Echegaray) a grand property with a clear vision: to offer a first-class restaurant and luxury accommodation to rival the best in Europe.
A PIONEER IN URBAN INNOVATION
From its beginnings, the Gran Hotel Inglés not only offered accommodation: it marked the path of luxury and modernity in Madrid. It was the first to integrate its own restaurant within a hotel, anticipating a trend that today we consider essential. It was not only about comfort, but about creating a complete experience, where the art of hospitality began at the table and extended to the last detail of the room.
It was also one of the first buildings in the city to have electricity, a symbol of progress that reflected a vision ahead of its time. Where others saw limits, the doors were opened here. Electric light not only illuminated corridors and halls: it lit up the future.
This is how the spirit of the Gran Hotel Inglés was born: that of a place that has always been one step ahead, that was not afraid of change, but embraced it, to continue to be a reference in the heart of Madrid.
THE LITERARY HEART OF MADRID
For decades, the lounges of the Gran Hotel Inglés were a refuge for writers, thinkers and artists who left their mark on Spain's cultural history. Clarín, Galdós, Valle-Inclán, Virginia Woolf and Gabriel Miró shared gatherings, ideas and nights of inspiration within these walls.
The hotel was much more than just accommodation: it was an agora, a spark and a home for great works. Today, that literary vocation is still alive in every corner of the hotel.
SCENE OF UNFORGETTABLE STORIES
Historic banquets were held here, speeches that changed countries were born and legendary romances were lived. Like the one between the bullfighter "El Gallo" and Pastora Imperio or the toast that lit the seed of Philippine independence with José Rizal.
Each room holds an anecdote, each a scene.
Because at the Gran Hotel Inglés, history is not told: it is relived.
THE REBIRTH OF GLAMOUR
After almost five years of careful restoration, the hotel reopened in 2018 with a clear vision: to respect the soul of the past and bring it into the future.
With an interior design signed by Rockwell Group and under the direction of Carmen Cordón and Ignacio Jiménez, the Gran Hotel Inglés has become the flagship of Hidden Away Hotels, recovering the essence of the 1920s with the sophistication of the 21st century.
A LEGACY THAT TODAY SHINES BRIGHTER THAN EVER
In 2025, the Gran Hotel Inglés has been recognised as one of the best hotels in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. A milestone that celebrates not only its current excellence, but also 139 years of living history in the heart of the Barrio de las Letras.
Discover the history of Madrid from your bedroom
Each of our luxury rooms in the Barrio de las Letras is much more than just a place to rest. They are settings where the living history of Madrid can be felt from within: from the wardrobes lined with original 19th century postcards to the Art Deco-inspired details that evoke the hotel's golden age.
To stay at Gran Hotel Inglés is to experience the oldest 5-star hotel in Madrid, where history and design coexist naturally to create a sophisticated, intimate and authentic experience.
Because true luxury in Madrid lies not only in comfort, but also in feeling part of a legacy.
A piece of history at every turn
To walk through Gran Hotel Inglés is to walk through the oldest luxury hotel in Madrid. Every object tells a story, every corner holds a memory, and every detail has been preserved to connect the present with the essence of the past. It is a Hidden Hotel where the history of the Barrio de las Letras comes to life through original pieces.
Because in our historic 5-star hotel, you can touch, see, and feel what is authentic.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Excellence is not proclaimed;
it is cultivated.
History is not invented here;
it is honoured, cared for, and shared.
Once Madrid’s first luxury hotel, Gran Hotel Inglés has regained its splendour thanks to Hidden Hotels. It has been included in the Golden List 2025 as one of the 70 best hotels in the world.
Located in the iconic Barrio de las Letras, this boutique hotel in Madrid shares its history with those who appreciate authenticity.
A place where old-world charm blends with contemporary design, and where yesterday subtly seeps into every gesture of hospitality.
Today, as in the past, the soul of this building continues to welcome travellers with sensitivity, culture, and a yearning for authenticity.
At Gran Hotel Inglés, it’s not just about staying in a hotel with history. It’s about becoming part of a history that is alive and thriving. And you are part of it.
A luxury hotel in Madrid that never ceases to evolve in the present, without forgetting the echoes
of the past.
Gran Hotel Inglés, where every stay leaves its mark.
A hotel with history in the heart of Madrid – not to be told, but to be lived.
A place where centuries don’t weigh you down – they inspire.
And where every stay truly leaves its mark.
