Elegant yet playful design hotel by French legend Philippe Starck in central Madrid

Brach / Madrid / Spain

For some hotels it is really all about the design, or actually the designer behind the finished product. Like with this hotel. The Brach Madrid.

This masterpiece of a hotel reeks (in the best possible way) of Philippe Starck, the French iconic designer who has created the look. Starck is a truly iconic designer who has designed everything from citrus presses for Alessio to boats, restaurants, furniture and everything in between. But for me, he is most famous for being named the man who invented the boutique design hotel when creating the classic Royalton Hotel in NYC in the mid 80s. His design and vibe became something of a blueprint for design hotels, still to this day. So when going to Madrid I knew I had to (finally) stay at a hotel created by Starck.

The Brach, that opened in January of 2025, is situated on Gran Via, in a white seven-story building dating back to 1922. The exterior of this 57-key hotel is classic and discreet, not really standing out next to its neighbors. But as soon as you enter, the interior is everything but discreet. It is like stepping into a cabinet of curiosities, all dressed in golden brown, terracotta, wood, brass and leather. This is meant to reflect Starck’s vision of the 1920 and 1930s. So soft, warm and welcoming.

Our room was facing the Gran Via and I love how we could sit by the window and watch the busy street below with absolutely no sound pollution. The double windows are completely sound proof which is great news for two boys who love to sleep. The look of the room was a direct continuation of the look of the ground floor. The warm, golden hues of the jatoba wood and the massive leather head board set the tone of the room, together with the earthy tones of the fitted carpet, combined with some splashes of color and mismatching pillows. But what really stood out are all the objects placed around the room. The story behind is that the room has been designed by a man who loved a woman so much that he adorned his space with objects that reminded him of her.

And when it comes to amazing design, I must say that my favorite part of our room was the bathroom. It is hands down the most beautiful hotel bathroom I have ever seen. The mix of materials, the intense burgundy tiles, the lighting and the ”pièce de résistance”, the framed mirror with the attached lamps. And this to me is what stands out at this hotel, the attention to details. It is an old cliché to say that no stone has been left unturned when referring to design that is focusing on every single detail. But here it is actually true. I was walking around with my mouth open in awe all the time, discovering new features everywhere I turned.

OK, I know I am raving, but I just also want to mention the French patisserie on the ground floor, the amazing subterranean spa and gym all dressed in marble, white and flowing white curtains and the plant adorned roof top terrace with sweeping views of the city.

I will stop here with one final comment. It is a pure joy to see the result of a professional, someone that has been on the top of his game for more than 40 years. As a hotel-lover, I bow my head.

Welcome to Brach Hotel Madrid! Located on the busy Gran Via in central Madrid.

As soon as you enter you are ushered up to the first floor where the reception is located and you are provided something to drink. And no, this is not a G&T but merely some plain sparkling water.

When sitting in the reception, you are already given a first hint of what the core elements of the design of the Brach Hotel is all about. Sombre and cosy, unique color scheme and very tactile design features. I have never stayed in a hotel where there has been as many things I would have liked to touch.

Taking the elevator up to our room. Even the elevator has perfect mood lighting.

Our room was filled with light coming in from the windows facing the Gran Via. The tone of the room was earthy and golden.

The room was a real maximalist dream. No pared back, discreet design but the complete opposite. Like this pattern clash in the sofa…

…or all the little unique knickknacks placed on top of the massive leather head board…

…and the wonderfully clever feature wall. Like a grown up entertainment centre with…

…and your own, fully equipped (mini-) bar.

Open the wardrobe and there is a cork yoga mat. But what stands out even more is the colorful wallpaper. It is a clear sign of a hotel that takes their design scheme all the way.

But I have to say that my favorite design was to be found in the bathroom. I love this mirror with the massive green frame with two lamps attached.

I also love the terrazzo floors agains the burgundy tiles. This is hands down the nicest looking hotel bathroom I have ever seen.

Leaving the room to explore the hotel. On the top floor there is a terrace filled with greenery and great views of the roof tops of Madrid.

M heading downstairs. The staircase is so beautiful with the all the ornate wrought iron.

On the subterranean floor is where you’ll find the gym.

And it is also here where you’ll find the spa and the indoor pool, plus two different saunas.

Even though it was tempting, you can’t stay indoors when you are in Madrid. Here is Felipe the IV in front of the royal castle.

The grand home of the Spanish royal family.

Madrid has an insanely good coffee culture and there are great coffee bars/cafés dotted all around the city. This is one of our many favorites, ACID, located in the Chueca district, a short walk from the hotel.

And this is another of our favorites, Hanso Café, close to Plaza de Ildefonso just north of the hotel.

When returning to the hotel in the evening and they had done turn-down service in our room, we found this on our pillows. It is all about the details, and at Brach they have made that into an art form.

After a great nights sleep, time for breakfast in the downstairs restaurant.

The design is very true to form for Brach Madrid. The sculptures are created by Swedish designer Patrick Kim Gustafson.

RG inside info

This place is perfect if you…

…are coming to Madrid and you want to stay in central part of town in a hotel that is a masterclass in unique design. A classy hotel with an elegant but still playful, colorful look full of quirky, unexpected elements and great service. If this tickles your fancy, you are going to love staying at BRACH.

My favorite thing about this place…

…is the attention to details. There is quality in every corner. You open the wardrobe and there is beautiful wall paper on the inside. You have cake from the in-house patisserie waiting for you in your room upon arrival. There is curated art in the staircase and in your room. All spaces are perfectly lit with mood lights, even the elevator. Ok, you get the drift.

What not to miss when staying here…

…is to book too many activities outside of the hotel. Even though this hotel is located in an exciting city such as Madrid, you will want to spend a lot of time at the hotel. But if you do venture outside the areas of Malasaña and Conde Duque, just north of the hotel, are my favorites for wandering around, stopping for coffee and some shopping in one of the many specialty shops.

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