If you’ve come to glory in the grandeur of the Palacio Real and its environs, this
elegant guesthouse is the place to be. Exclusively located on the Plaza de Oriente directly opposite the palace, it offers
a range of stately options, from singles to suites. All are decorated in a style that would make the Bourbons feel at home,
but it’s not stuffy or faded. The rooms have been recently renovated to a high standard, with white gold faux antique
furniture, flocked wallpaper, polished floorboards, and more than a hint of irony. Everything is light and airy; the
spotless bathrooms are reassuringly 21st-century. The most expensive rooms have privileged views of the royal palace
and the mountains beyond, worth the extra outlay if you can get one. Breakfast is served at the Café de Oriente on the
crescent below.