Luxury, tradition and excellence at the Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid

The building that gives life to the Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid is listed and protected as part of Madrid’s architectural heritage. It dates back to 1952, a key year in which Spain joined UNESCO and the reign of Elizabeth II of England began.

The opening of a five-star hotel in the Spanish capital on 19 April was a dream come true for Baltasar Ibán Valdés, a transport businessman and founder of the fighting bull ranch that bears his name. The architect Luis Blanco Soler commissioned the building in 1944.

This was the start of a promising hotel project at a time when our country was still suffering the economic and social consequences of the post-war period. The unstoppable demand that followed in the early years of the Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid led to the inauguration of its much-awaited expansion in 1976, opening its doors at Calle Velázquez 6.

This was where the iconic Torreón stood, which provided refuge for a few days to writer and journalist Ramón Gómez de la Serna before his forced exile to Argentina

Countless celebrities have stayed at this illustrious five-star hotel. Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid has always been a benchmark of exclusivity, elegance and exquisiteness. Its essence has attracted international personalities and celebrities such as Gene Kelly, Ernest Hemingway, Severo Ochoa, the Duke and Duchess of Wellington, Adrien Brody, Matt Damon, Nicolas Sarkozy, John Malkovich, Annie Leibovitz, Paul Aster, Mel Gibson and Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, among others.

The Wellington essence makes the difference. On 22 May 2005, the Royal Household of His Majesty the King selected our hotel as the accommodations for guests attending the wedding of HRH Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia. Our professionals were also on hand to organise the wedding reception at the Royal Palace in Madrid.

In 2020, almost 70 years after its inauguration, Wellington Hotel & Spa Madrid embarked on a remarkable renovation. With the help of renowned Portuguese interior designer Vasco Aragäo, we have recovered the glitz and glamour of the most select hotel sector of the early 20th century. The spirit of the original 1950s décor has been brought back to life and continues to be a hallmark of our hotel’s identity, good taste and elegance.