15 3-Star hotels in central Madrid: where to stay in 2026

Madrid is expensive, but three-star hotels in the center cost reasonable money. The only question is where exactly you end up: near Puerta del Sol, on Gran Vía, or closer to the Prado. Within the same category, the difference almost always comes down to the address and the breakfast.

We picked 15 three-star hotels located in the Centro area and verified their locations on official websites. For each one, we listed the neighborhood, nearest metro station, breakfast format, and an honest catch. Prices in the center change every season, so check specific rates for your travel dates.

The short version: for two or three days, go with the Petit Palace chain. It has five addresses in the center with the same standard and breakfast. For a terrace view, Room Mate Oscar and Hotel Cortezo are the ones to book.

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How to choose a 3-star hotel in central Madrid

Central Madrid is compact. From Puerta del Sol to the Prado Museum is about 1.2 km, roughly a 15-minute walk (on the map). So in the three-star category, the address matters more than anything else. Three stars in Spain mean a small room, a private bathroom, and a basic breakfast. Pools and gyms are rare. Before booking, check two things: the nearest metro station and whether breakfast is included in the rate.

💡 In short:

• All 15 hotels are in Centro, a 5-15 minute walk from Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, or the Prado.
• Breakfast is included at Petit Palace Chueca, Moderno, and B&B Hotel; at Petit Palace Preciados it costs extra.
• Locations, metro, and breakfasts: 09/2026, verified on the official Petit Palace website and loscondeshotel.com.

1. Petit Palace Chueca

© Dmitry Dzhus from London · CC BYPhoto: Dmitry Dzhus from London, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The Petit Palace chain has five addresses in central Madrid, and Chueca is the most convenient for museums. It's less than a five-minute walk to Gran Vía and about 1 km to Puerta del Sol (on the map). The building dates from the 19th century, so rooms vary in size. Verified on the chain's official website 09/2026.

Breakfast is continental and already included in the room rate. Guests particularly praise the coffee. The Thyssen-Bornemisza and Prado museums are about a 10-minute walk away.

• Who it's for: a first trip to Madrid, when you want the center and museums within walking distance.
• Not for: if you want a spacious room and a view from the window, the standard here is modest.
• Location: Chueca, between Gran Vía and the San Fernando Academy.
• Price: mid-range for the center among three-star hotels. check prices at Petit Palace Chueca on Trip.com
• The catch: rooms are not the most refined, you're paying for the address.

2. Petit Palace Preciados

© Jan S0L0 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Jan S0L0, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

The chain's second address sits between Puerta del Sol and Plaza de Callao. You can reach the city's main square in a couple of minutes on foot. The tourist bus stop is also nearby, and a supermarket with options for any budget is just across the street.

Breakfast is served on the fifth floor in a European style, priced per person. The bathroom has a bidet and a set of toiletries. Confirm the breakfast price when booking.

• Who it's for: guests who want to stay in the very center and have dinner at nearby restaurants.
• Location: a block from Puerta del Sol, 2 minutes on foot to the square.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Petit Palace Preciados on Trip.com
• The catch: the center is noisy around the clock, you'll have to close street-facing windows at night.

3. Hotel Los Condes

Los Condes is on Gran Vía, but on a quiet side street away from the noise. For the center, that's a rare combination. The two nearest metro stations are a 3-5 minute walk away, so the sights are close by.

In the morning, a buffet with hot dishes and fresh pastries is served. Rooms come in three types: for one, two, or three people. Rooms have a kettle, a TV with satellite channels, and new furniture.

• Who it's for: if you want to sleep with the window open and still live on Gran Vía.
• Location: a quiet side street off Gran Vía; verified on the official Los Condes website.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Hotel Los Condes on Trip.com

4. Petit Palace Arenal

© Dario Alvarez from Orense, España · CC BYPhoto: Dario Alvarez from Orense, España, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

People choose this chain address when they want to stay a stone's throw from the Royal Palace. Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, the Descalzas Reales monastery, and Gran Vía are also within walking distance. Metro stations are about 300 m away.

Breakfast is hearty: the table includes jamón, almond milk, fresh pastries, and four kinds of hot dishes. Rooms are spacious by central Madrid standards. You can walk to the main sights, so you don't need a car.

• Who it's for: guests who want maximum sightseeing without transport.
• Not for: lovers of quiet will find the busy center less suitable.
• Location: near the Royal Palace, Ópera and Sol metro stations.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Petit Palace Arenal on Trip.com

5. Moderno

Moderno is two minutes from Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. Sol metro station is about 100 m away, although the surrounding streets are so nice that you'll often prefer to walk. Rooms are bright, some with a jacuzzi tub and climate control.

A buffet breakfast is included in the rate in all room categories. In addition to standard rooms for one to three people, there's a family room for four. The front desk helps with airport transfers and booking excursions.

• Who it's for: couples and families who want the main squares and the metro close at hand.
• Location: Sol metro station 100 m, Plaza Mayor 2 minutes (per the map).
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Moderno Madrid on Trip.com

6. II Castillas Madrid

© hugh llewelyn · CC BY-SAPhoto: hugh llewelyn, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/), Flickr

II Castillas has a high rating on booking sites, and the reason is its location. H&M, Zara, and Nike stores are all around, and Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol are within walking distance. Wi-Fi works throughout the building.

Rooms are decorated in light plaid. Breakfast is served in the morning and guests praise it, and a Spanish restaurant operates on the ground floor. The front desk is open 24 hours, so you're not tied to a check-in time.

• Who it's for: guests who combine sightseeing with shopping.
• Location: between Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, Callao metro station.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at II Castillas Madrid on Trip.com

7. Petit Palace Puerta del Sol

© Tammer Salem · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tammer Salem, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The hotel sits right on Puerta del Sol, making it the most central address in the chain. The most popular room here is the deluxe with a terrace and city views.

Around you there is a metro station, dozens of cafes and boutiques from Zara to Nike. For couples there is a separate room that gets booked for anniversaries. The staff keeps the place meticulously clean.

• Who it's for: guests who care about city views and the life of the square right outside their window.
• Location: Puerta del Sol, Sol metro station steps away.
• Price: mid-range for the center, deluxe rooms cost more. check prices at Petit Palace Puerta del Sol on Trip.com

8. Petit Palace Tres Cruces

© PENTAXDIGITGRAFOS · CC BYPhoto: PENTAXDIGITGRAFOS, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tres Cruces belongs to the same Petit Palace chain as the first addresses on this list. Gran Vía is 50 m away, so you step out directly onto the city's main street. The "golden triangle" of museums and the Royal Palace are a few minutes' walk at a leisurely pace. Gran Vía metro station is 100 m away, Sol station is 200 m away.

Breakfast is served for several hours straight, so both early risers and late sleepers have time to eat. It is a buffet format with a wide selection of hot dishes. The room decor is understated but not without style. The front desk is open around the clock and handles requests quickly.

If you want to walk further, the Temple of Debod and Retiro Park are just over 1 km away (on the map). Atocha station is about 1.5 km away, which is convenient before a trip to Toledo or Seville. There are rooms for guests with reduced mobility and for traveling with pets.

• Who it's for: couples and those continuing on from Atocha station.
• Location: Gran Vía 50 m away, Sol 200 m away (on the map).
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Petit Palace Tres Cruces on Trip.com

9. Room Mate Oscar

Oscar's main trump card: a rooftop terrace with a bar and pool. In the evening you look out over the city from above, when you no longer have the energy to walk around. Corner rooms have balconies facing two streets at once, Gran Vía and Chueca.

The property looks modern. There is a conference room for business guests, and a bartender working all day for everyone else. Transport stops, cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops are all around, so you don't need to search for anything.

Two metro stations are within walking distance, as are the Zara stores. Top categories: deluxe, junior suite, suite and super suite. Guests rate the breakfast very highly. Many come back here on their next trip.

• Who it's for: guests who want a rooftop pool and city views.
• Not for: if you are looking for the most modest bill, here you pay for the terrace and the category.
• Location: between Gran Vía and Chueca stations.
• Price: mid-range for the center, top categories cost more. check prices at Room Mate Oscar Madrid on Trip.com

10. Hotel Regina

© Luis García ( Zaqarbal ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Luis García ( Zaqarbal ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/es/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Regina recently underwent a major renovation, and it shows: there is a lot of white in the finishes, and the furniture has been updated. Rooms now have a coffee machine and a kettle. The nearest metro station is Sevilla, but you can also easily walk to Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía and Retiro Park.

The statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (El Oso y el Madroño) is just a 3-minute walk away (on the map). Also nearby are the zarzuela theater and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Fernando. With kids you can take a trip to the amusement park, about 4.5 km by taxi.

Services include airport transfer, a bar with cocktails and local wines, and breakfast in the restaurant. There are rooms for guests with reduced mobility. Wi-Fi works throughout the property, and the bathroom has a set of toiletries.

• Who it's for: families with children, because squares, parks and cafes are nearby.
• Location: Sevilla metro station, near Calle de Alcalá; verified on the official Hotel Regina website.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Hotel Regina Madrid on Trip.com

11. B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol

This hotel has two advantages at once: an address near Puerta del Sol and windows facing the courtyard. In central Madrid, quiet costs a premium, and here you sleep without street noise. A bar with tea, coffee, juices, milk drinks, and fruit is open around the clock.

Breakfast is included in the room rate. The bathroom has toiletries and a hairdryer. Rooms are furnished in a calm classic style.

It's easy to head to any part of the city from here: transport hubs and Sol metro station are nearby. You can walk to Gran Via and Puerta del Sol, choosing a new route every day. The staff works hard to make guests come back.

• Who it's for: guests who want the center and quiet nights.
• Location: Puerta del Sol and Gran Via within walking distance, Sol metro.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol on Trip.com

12. One Shot Prado 23

One Shot Prado 23 is convenient for those arriving by train: Atocha station is nearby. You can walk to Plaza de Santa Ana and the zarzuela theaters, no transport needed. Each floor has a tea station with tea, coffee, sugar, creamer, and cookies.

Rooms are spacious and sleep one, two, or three people, with an option for a family of four. Amenities include parking for a rental car, high-speed Wi-Fi, and terraces with city views. The front desk is open around the clock.

For shopping, you can walk to H&M and Zara stores. The Corner Buenos Dias cafe next door will treat you to coffee and suggest what to see in the capital. Housekeeping changes linens and towels on schedule, and a kettle will be brought to your room on request.

• Who it's for: guests who arrive by train and go to performances.
• Location: near Plaza de Santa Ana, not far from Atocha station.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at One Shot Prado 23 Madrid on Trip.com

13. Hotel Cortezo

Cortezo stands at Plaza Santa Ana, next to Latin tapas bars. The "golden triangle" of museums is about a 15-minute walk. Tirso de Molina metro is 100 m away. The main plus: a rooftop terrace with views. During the day you can sunbathe here.

Rooms are minimalist, without pomp. Breakfast follows American traditions with buffet elements, and there are diet-friendly and gluten-free options. The on-site bar and cafe are open almost all day.

In addition to standard rooms for two to four people, there are junior suites with a lounge area. Active guests can use the fitness center. Drinks and light snacks are available to guests almost all day.

• Who it's for: guests who want tapas bars and a terrace close at hand.
• Location: Tirso de Molina metro 100 m away (on the map).
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Hotel Cortezo Madrid on Trip.com
• The catch: poor soundproofing between rooms.

14. Regente Hotel

© Ricardo Ricote Rodríguez from Madrid, España · CC BYPhoto: Ricardo Ricote Rodríguez from Madrid, España, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

Regente stands on Gran Via, and the hotel has an outdoor terrace. The surrounding infrastructure is so well developed that many guests have breakfast not at the hotel but at nearby cafes. Breakfast at the hotel costs extra, but you're free to start your day early.

Rooms sleep one to four people. There are family apartments for six with three bedrooms and a private terrace. The interior features parquet floors and comfortable furniture, and the bathrooms have toiletries and a hairdryer.

Callao metro is 100 m away. The Rialto Theater, the Descalzas Reales monastery, and Puerta del Sol are steps away. The El Corte Ingles department store and the Ribs and Asador de Aranda restaurants are nearby. The front desk can arrange excursions and theater tickets.

• Who it's for: large families and groups who need a room for six.
• Location: Gran Via, Callao metro 100 m away (on the map).
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Regente Hotel Madrid on Trip.com
• The catch: breakfast is not included in the room rate.

15. Ganivet

Ganivet is chosen for its quiet and space away from the main noise. The highlight here: a rooftop hot tub. You step into it in the evening after a full day of walking. Rooms are in warm classic tones, and the bathroom has toiletries.

It's about a 5-minute walk to the El Rastro flea market. The Prado Museum and the Temple of Debod are just over 1.5 km away (on the map). Nearby are the Comikaz theater, the Toledo Gate, the Prince Anglona garden, and Cava Baja street with its bars. Breakfast is continental, served buffet-style, with house-made pastries.

• Who it's for: guests who want a rooftop pool and a market right around the corner.
• Location: La Latina district, La Latina and Tirso de Molina metro stations.
• Price: mid-range for the center. check prices at Ganivet Madrid on Trip.com
• The catch: it's more than a 1.5 km walk to the Prado Museum.

3-Star Madrid hotels in the center on a map

Below is a map with all 15 hotels from this selection marked. Madrid's center is compact, so the points sit close together around Puerta del Sol and Gran Via. Open the map and figure out which part of the city suits you best before your trip.

If you don't want to compare hotels manually, check availability and prices for your travel dates in one place.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which hotel in this selection is closest to Puerta del Sol?

The closest are Petit Palace Puerta del Sol and B&B Hotel Madrid Centro Puerta del Sol: they sit right on the square. Petit Palace Preciados is two minutes away. If the address matters most to you, pick one of these three, with Sol metro station nearby.

Is breakfast included in the rate at a 3-star hotel in Madrid?

No, not always. At Petit Palace Chueca, Moderno, and B&B Hotel, breakfast is included in the room rate. At Petit Palace Preciados and Regente, it costs extra. Hotel Los Condes, Petit Palace Arenal, and Ganivet serve a buffet, so check the details when booking.

Where to stay if the Prado and Thyssen museums matter to you?

Go for hotels near Gran Via and Puerta del Sol: Petit Palace Chueca, Petit Palace Tres Cruces, and Regente. From there, it's a 10-15 minute walk to the "golden triangle" of museums. Hotel Cortezo adds a rooftop terrace on top of that.

Can you stay in central Madrid and still have it quiet?

Yes. Hotel Los Condes sits on a side street off Gran Via, and B&B Hotel Madrid Centro has courtyard-facing windows. These two addresses block street noise better than the rest of this selection. If sleep matters more to you than a view, pick one of them.

Which hotels in this selection have a pool?

Two hotels have a pool. At Room Mate Oscar, it's on the rooftop terrace, next to a bar. At Ganivet, there's a rooftop pool with a hot tub. Both are great for the warm season. In winter, the rooftop pool may be closed, so check with the hotel.

In short: what to book

If you're visiting for the first time and want to walk everywhere, go for Petit Palace Chueca. For quiet nights, Hotel Los Condes and B&B Hotel Madrid Centro work well. Room Mate Oscar and Hotel Cortezo give you a terrace view, while larger families need Regente Hotel with its apartments for six.

If you're on a short trip, stay near Puerta del Sol. If museums matter, stick to Gran Via. If you're traveling with kids, look at Hotel Regina. If you need a rooftop pool, look at Ganivet near the El Rastro market.

Compare prices for your travel dates and book early: in high season, there are fewer available rooms in the center. see all Madrid hotels on Trip.com