Palacio de los Duques, a Gran Meliá Hotel - The Leading Hotels of the World
A seasonal rooftop pool inside a 19th-century palace
About this hotel
The setting does a lot of work: a 19th-century palace 300 metres from the Royal Palace, the Royal Theatre and the Cathedral, with its own private historic garden. The water side is a seasonal rooftop pool with a terrace and city views, a Thai Room wellness centre and a jacuzzi, with a 24-hour gym alongside. Rooms and suites have a 49-inch LED TV with Chromecast, a Nespresso machine and a private bathroom with heated floors. Two restaurants serve Spanish cuisine and wines, and a tea corner and bar complete the public spaces. Plaza Mayor is 500 metres away and the Prado is a 20-minute walk. The Sabatini Gardens, 300 metres away, give an easy evening walk when the pool is closed for the season.
- Seasonal rooftop pool
- Thai Room wellness centre
- Private historic garden
- Jacuzzi
Our take
Palacio de los Duques suits couples and slower travellers who want a wellness evening in a historic building, and it is at its best from late spring to early autumn, when the rooftop pool is open. It does not suit anyone who wants a lively pool scene or a pool open all year, because the rooftop is seasonal. Check the pool dates before booking, and use the wellness centre in colder months.
- ✓Confirm the rooftop pool dates before you book, as it is seasonal
- ✓Walk the Sabatini Gardens, 300 metres away, in the cool of the evening
- ✓Book a Thai Room session early, as wellness slots tend to fill
Why we love it
- A seasonal rooftop pool with city views
- A Thai Room wellness centre and jacuzzi
- A private historic garden in the palace
- A location rated 9.7 for a two-person trip
Why guests love itA stay here is a slow one. The mornings can go to the Royal Palace, 300 metres away, and the Sabatini Gardens next door, while the afternoons return to the private garden, the rooftop terrace and, in season, the pool. The Thai Room wellness centre and the jacuzzi take over once the sun drops, and dinner in one of the two Spanish restaurants closes the day without another walk.