Relais & Châteaux Hotel Orfila

This is no ordinary place. Built in 1886 it started off life as a mansion built in the imperial style and has been carefully remodeled using strict criteria of quality. The end result is a small and exquisite hotel situated right in the centre of Madrid by the Palace of Justice. Every corner is blessed with fine antique pieces harking back to the belle époque: paintings, marble floors and rugs. Even the carefully laid flowers look sumptuous. The 36 rooms and suites further boast quality pieces such as dossals and extremely luxurious carpets and all show great attention to detail. Other places of note include the fine restaurant and the back garden with its fountain, as well as the sophisticated and noble tearoom. Entering Orfila seems to take us back to a period when life was more refined and stylish.