Rosewood Villa Magna

My husband and I spent four nights at the Rosewood Villa Magna over the Christmas holidays. It was okay, but not great. Our suite seemed due for an update, and the concierge service fell short of expectations. On the positive side, the location was excellent.

The best thing about the Rosewood in Madrid is undoubtedly the location, right in the heart of the Salamanca neighborhood, one of the most elegant and walkable areas in the city. It’s perfect for exploring boutiques, cafes, and charming streets on foot. Unfortunately, that’s where the highlights end. The hotel lacks a real lobby, it’s essentially part of a collection of restaurants and lounges, which creates a bit of confusion and doesn’t give the space much of a hotel identity. The bar is excellent and clearly popular with locals, but beyond that, there aren’t many common areas or amenities. No pool, no spa atmosphere, and overall, it felt more like a small boutique hotel than a full-service luxury property. Our room was tiny, especially compared to other top-tier hotels in the city, though it was tastefully decorated and well maintained. Still, the overall feel of the hotel was tight, there was nothing about the design or experience that reminded us we were in Madrid. It felt very residential, which I think was definitely the intention. Service was fine, but very average, not what we’d expect from a Rosewood. Nothing bad happened, but nothing stood out either. There was a general lack of attention to detail or warmth that you typically associate with five-star service. We also stayed at the Four Seasons Madrid during this trip, and it was miles ahead in every way, comfort, amenities, atmosphere, and especially service. Sadly, this has been our least favorite Rosewood stay to date.