Only You Hotel Atocha. Credit: Only You Hotel Atocha
Madrid is an electric city — its visual landscape pulses with a mix of classic architecture offset by contemporary panache. The canon of major players in the realms of art, design and style is centuries deep and thus the new school of hospitality spaces fluidly takes advantage of and plays off the wide palette of former palaces, historic buildings and unforgettable structures.
Only You Hotels has two properties in the Spanish capital — Only You Boutique Hotel and Only You Hotel Atocha — that exemplify the remarkable spirit of the city. They are well-situated, well-appointed and enforce the ideology that it’s really “all about you.”
Here are three other things we love about these unique, urbane respites.
Only You Boutique Hotel. Credit: Only You Boutique Hotel
Location, location, location
Proximity is happiness when visiting a bustling city like Madrid, and both Only You hotels cater to those who want to be at the epicenter of the experience.
Situated in the prime spot known as Madrid’s Golden Triangle of Art —composed of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums — the Atocha property takes its name from the city’s largest train station, a 19-century marvel designed in part by Gustave Eiffel.
In addition to some major Iberian immersion at the country’s top cultural attractions, you can also simply stroll the adjacent Retiro Park with its scenic gardens, lake and statuary.
For shopping and food lovers, the Madrid gem offers a prime spot in the vibrant neighborhood of Chueca with chic boutiques, party-all-night hot spots and culinary emporiums such as Mercado de San Antón brimming with Spanish delicacies. Its central positioning makes an after-dinner walk or a morning coffee run as simple as it is experiential.
Inside Atocha. Credit: Only You Hotel Atocha
Urban apartment vibes
Only You Hotel Atocha’s accommodations are an eclectic blend of fabrics and styles that promote a residential feel. Midcentury modern furniture, wood paneling, contemporary geometric art and industrial fixtures evoke personal space versus a cookie-cutter hotel room.
All units feature a desk as well as a glamorously lit dressing area with lots of mirrors that add to the intimacy of the space.
The home-away-from-home aesthetic isn’t just restricted to the rooms at Only You Boutique Hotel. From your first sashay into the 19th-century mansion, you’ll find a parlor room with a fireplace for lounging, followed by a massive multi-story atrium lined with sofas to collapse into after a hard day of retailing.
The rooms follow suit with singular touches, such as a nail-headed statement wall, jewelry boxes in the safes, hangers with inspirational phrases and signature giraffe-print robes. Paying homage to historical accuracy, maps of Madrid from bygone eras also line the space.
And since Only You works off your schedule, stays are based on a 24-hour timetable instead of the standard check-in and checkout times.
The Book-Filled Elevator. Credit: Only You Boutique Hotel
Memorable moments
Each property has surprise-and-delight scenes around every corner, ready to be enjoyed.
Atocha’s seventh-floor panoramic restaurant Séptima is a sight to behold. Breakfast and brunch are served from themed carts and stations — think salads, housemade jams, smoked meats, foie gras and oysters — while hot dishes come from the show kitchen.
You can also choose to simply detox with juices, smoothies and exotic fruits.
This space plays host to the hotel’s special Ver-mut (drinking vermouth with bite-size nibbles is a staple of Spain) program as well as jazz sounds on brisk autumnal nights.
Reading materials also play a romantic role in both atmospheres. Snap a selfie from a seat inside Atocha’s circular bookcase or while taking a ride on Madrid’s volume-lined elevator.
The original façade of the Chueca district hotel bears the name El Padrino bookshop and is still intact. And since “you” is the only pronoun that matters during a stay here, pose in front of the three illuminated letters before heading out to explore the Spanish capital.
