Nestled in one of the quieter crannies of Madrid’s urban bustle lies a pocket of quiet, a look back in time. At the Santo Mauro Madrid, a Luxury Collection hotel, you don’t need a time machine to experience the beauty and optimism of Madrid’s Belle Époque—just step through its doors and the city’s turn-of-the-century splendor unfolds around you.

Belle Époque aristocracy may have technically ended in 1914, but at the Santo Mauro Madrid, its spirit of elegance and splendor lives on. Since 1991, the 19th-century palace of Duke Santo Mauro has operated as a hotel, and is comprised of three historic buildings: the main palace, the annex, and the former stable, connected via private gardens in Madrid’s quiet, residential Chamberí, just a few strides’ walk from Museo Sorolla and the city’s finest boutiques and restaurants. 

In a city that oozes history and culture, a moment of peace can be golden. Santo Mauro Madrid is exclusive yet expansive, with 49 guest rooms, all beautifully restored with a mix of historical glamor and a mind for creature comforts. While sitting in one of Europe’s great urban centers, Santo Mauro Madrid offers a slice of seclusion among the madness. The secret pathways, a former chapel, and private gardens are simply serene—all necessary for a relaxing Spanish stay. 

Of course, you won’t have to travel far to get a taste of Madrid’s tastiest morsels. Culinary indulgence is woven into the Santo Mauro experience. In the former library, La Biblioteca Restaurant plates refined Mediterranean cuisine in a space that still hums with scholarly charm. Nearby, grab drinks and small plates at Gresca Wine Bar, a watering hole that draws locals and travelers alike. 

To stay at the Santo Mauro Madrid is to linger for a while in a beautifully preserved daydream. The city’s pulse fades, the light changes, and suddenly you’re moving through rooms and gardens that seem to exist just slightly out of time. It’s Madrid at its most intimate and cinematic, the version you wish you could bottle and take home.