Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid

Housed in a 19th-century palace, this boutique hotel lives up to its name, with plenty of properly "boutique" style throughout its interiors. Right off the bat, the hotel has an elegance and sophistication, with its lovely white facade and huge blue and white vases flanking the glass and wood double entrance doors. A blue awning marks the entrance, and iron balconies with ornately trimmed windows make a statement on upper floors. Inside, cream-colored vintage suitcases create a unique backdrop for the front desk. The lobby is bright, airy, and beautiful, with high ceilings, rich period detailing, and contemporary leather seating where guests can relax and hang out. It's a hip, sophisticated setting, and it's not unusual to see fashion photo shoots taking place here. The hotel appeals to all sorts of travelers who appreciate good design along with an outstanding location. Guests here include couples, businesspeople, groups of friends, individuals, and families -- in other words, there's a broad amount of appeal in this hotel's small package. 

The hotel is located on a small street in the center of Madrid close to the Plaza de Chueca. Chueca is one of the city's trendiest neighborhoods -- and home to its sizable LGBT community -- and the hotel is surrounded by stylish shops, quirky boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife. It is hard to park or even stop at the front door, but there is nearby car park. The Chueca Metro only takes three minutes to reach on foot, and there are many buses in the area from Gran Via, the main artery through Madrid's Centro. The Retiro, the city's main park, is only 10 minutes away on foot for those needing a dose of greenery. Puerta del Sol -- essentially the city's version of Times Square in NYC -- can be reached in less than 15 minutes on foot, as can the Museo Nacional del Prado, which is famed for its art collection. Madrid-Barajas Airport is about 25 minutes away by car or 35 minutes by public transportation. 

Rooms blend 19th-century period details with hip modern touches to great effect. Design details include walls upholstered in rich blue leather, bold patterned carpeting, contemporary art paired with classical etchings, and an on-trend color palette that employs handsome wood tones, deep blues, and tinges of golden yellow. Some rooms have charming Old World accents, like white marble decorative fireplaces in the Premium Room that we visited. We also love the bolted headboard outlines done on the accent walls over the beds in many rooms -- it's details like this that put this hotel above other boutique properties in the same category.

Modern amenities include iPod docks, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, and electronic safes. Entry-level Deluxe Rooms face the internal courtyard. The Only You Secret Room has a spacious terrace with an outdoor sofa, lounge chairs, and umbrella. Potted plants add ambiance, and the flooring is done in a bold blue-and-white tile pattern of geometrics and abstract flowers. Rooms are sparkling clean and well-soundproofed, though some rooms on the courtyard may pick up a bit of noise as it echoes. Bathrooms are the definition of stylish as well, with above-counter vessel sinks, marble counters, tiled showers with rainfall showerheads, hairdryers, and upscale toiletries. Bright giraffe-print robes are a funky touch. 

The YOUnique Restaurant serves Mediterranean fare for lunch and dinner, as well as cocktails, beer, and wine. An a la carte breakfast is offered for a fee, and there's brunch on Sunday. The Blue Lounge is a cozy space with leather seating, a fireplace, and ornate period details such as mantels and crown molding highlighted by modern art and taxidermy on the walls. For an alternative place to relax, the Cocteleria El Padrino also serves drinks in an elegant, airy lounge space. Massage treatments and facials are available in the Beauty Room, and the 24/7 gym is a compact space that has modern cardio and weight machines -- neither feature is common in the small hotels in this part of Madrid. Three meeting rooms, one lined with maps on the walls, accommodate groups. An inviting library features leather seating in front of a fireplace, providing a cozy spot for guests to gather or relax with a book. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the street and Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.