10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All values of Membership Rewards are assigned based on the assumption, experience and opinions of the 10xTravel team and represent an estimate and not an actual value of points. Estimated value is not a fixed value and may not be the typical value enjoyed by card members.
Overview of Santo Mauro
The Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Madrid, is a perfect blend of historical grandeur and modern luxury. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century palace that once belonged to the Duke of Santo Mauro, this boutique property offers an intimate luxury experience that feels worlds away from a typical chain hotel.
With around 50 unique rooms and suites, the Santo Mauro delivers an exclusive experience that combines French Classicism with contemporary comfort. The property’s beautiful gardens, historic library and elegant common spaces create an atmosphere that truly makes guests feel like they’re staying in a private palace rather than a hotel.
How I Booked Santo Mauro
I booked our one-night stay in August 2024 using an 85,000-point free night certificate from my Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. With cash rates running over €800 for a standard room during our stay, this redemption provided exceptional value.
As a Marriott Bonvoy member with status, we were upgraded from a Deluxe King Room to a junior suite, and we chose breakfast as our welcome amenity. The suite we were upgraded to cost over €1,000 per night including taxes. The hotel’s boutique nature and historic significance made it an ideal use of the certificate, especially given the high cash rates.
Santo Mauro Location
The Santo Mauro enjoys a prime location in Madrid’s sophisticated Chamberí neighborhood, close to the “Golden Mile” of the Salamanca district known for its high-end shopping and dining. The hotel sits in a quiet, largely residential area, providing a peaceful retreat while remaining accessible to Madrid’s attractions.
The location proved perfect for our plans, as we were able to easily reach our dinner reservation at the renowned restaurant Coque nearby for a celebratory meal. The neighborhood’s residential character offers a more authentic Madrid experience compared to more tourist-heavy areas, and isn’t as crowded.
Best Parts of the Santo Mauro
Palace-Like Atmosphere
At Santo Mauro, you’ll feel like you’re staying in a palace—because you are. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
The hotel’s heritage as a former ducal palace is evident throughout, from its exquisite architecture to its beautifully maintained common areas and library.
Beautiful Gardens and Terrace
Santo Mauro’s outdoor spaces are incredible—it’s easy to forget that you’re in the middle of Madrid. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
The outdoor spaces, particularly the terrace where breakfast is served, provide an ideal spot to enjoy a morning coffee with comfortable shaded seating areas.
Boutique Experience
With just about 50 rooms, the hotel offers an intimate, personalized experience that feels more like staying in a private estate than a chain hotel.
Luxurious Accommodations
The rooms and suites blend historical elegance with modern comfort, featuring thoughtful touches and upscale amenities.
Santo Mauro Drawbacks
Limited Stay Duration
Our one-night stay felt too brief to fully experience all of the hotel’s offerings, including the wine bar and restaurant.
High Cash Rates
While the points redemption provided excellent value, the cash rates may be prohibitive for many travelers.
Boutique Size
The limited number of rooms might make availability challenging during peak periods.
Getting to Santo Mauro
The hotel is accessible from Madrid’s international airport via multiple routes. We opted for the metro system when departing to the airport, which is a cost-effective transportation option. The hotel’s location in Chamberí offers good connectivity to Madrid’s public transportation network.
Check-In
Our check-in experience was smooth and efficient, befitting a luxury property. The staff handled our suite upgrade professionally, and explained our elite benefits, including our chosen welcome amenity of breakfast.
The Room at Santo Mauro
Our junior suite offered a thoughtfully designed layout that balanced comfort with classic elegance.
Santo Mauro’s common spaces are the epitome of luxury. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
Upon entering, a comfortable sitting area welcomed us with a couch on the right and television on the left, complemented by a small sitting table on the far side.
The living area of our suite provided some extra space to relax and work. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
The separate bedroom featured a comfortable king bed positioned to the right of the entrance. While not overwhelmingly large, the suite provided ample space for our stay and maintained the property’s palace-like atmosphere throughout.
The clawfoot bathtub was the highlight of the bathroom for me. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
The bathroom was a particular highlight, featuring both a shower and a luxurious clawfoot bathtub. The standalone tub added a touch of vintage luxury that perfectly matched the hotel’s historical character. The water pressure and temperature were excellent, and the space was well-appointed with high-end toiletries.
Food and Drink
We didn’t dine at La Biblioteca, but we loved the ambiance. | Photo by Charlie Lewis
While we didn’t have the opportunity to experience the hotel’s La Biblioteca restaurant or wine bar during our brief stay, our breakfast experience was memorable. Served on the peaceful terrace under shaded tables, the breakfast offered authentic Spanish options.
We chose the chorizo sandwich from the breakfast menu, which provided a satisfying start to our day. The outdoor setting, combined with attentive service, created a particularly pleasant dining experience.
Amenities
The Santo Mauro offers a comprehensive range of amenities, including restaurants, a 24/7 fitness center and beautiful gardens. The property’s common areas, including the historic Red Room and Chinese Lounge, showcase its palace heritage through preserved architectural details and elegant design.
The hotel’s terrace and garden areas were highlights, offering guests a tranquil space to relax or dine outdoors while being protected from the Madrid sun.
Santo Mauro Family Friendliness
While our stay didn’t include traveling with family, the hotel’s spacious suites and secure, quiet location would likely accommodate families well. The private gardens provide a safe space for children to enjoy some outdoor time within the city.
Final Thoughts on Santo Mauro
The Santo Mauro offers a truly unique luxury experience in Madrid, successfully blending its historical palace heritage with modern comforts. While our one-night stay was brief, the property’s intimate atmosphere, beautiful design and excellent service made a lasting impression—I would gladly return. The 85,000-point redemption represented exceptional value given the high cash rates, and the upgrade to a suite enhanced the experience further. For travelers seeking a boutique luxury experience in Madrid, particularly those who appreciate historical properties, the Santo Mauro is an excellent choice that feels more like a private palace than a hotel.
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase TravelSM Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All values of Membership Rewards are assigned based on the assumption, experience and opinions of the 10xTravel team and represent an estimate and not an actual value of points. Estimated value is not a fixed value and may not be the typical value enjoyed by card members.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.
bonus points
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
