Barceló Emperatriz, MadridBarceló Emperatriz in Madrid, Spain has a corrected score of 3.9 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), ranked 41 of 278 hotels we score in Madrid. Its platform ratings, normalised to 0-5, average 4.0 before correction: Booking.com 3.8, Tripadvisor 4.1, Google 4.0. Rooms from about $339 a night (cached, not a live quote).The Barceló Emperatriz is a four-star hotel in Madrid's Salamanca district, close to Paseo de la Castellana and Calle Serrano. It occupies a renovated 19th-century palace and takes its theme from Eugenia de Montijo, pairing classic palatial features with modern furnishings. There are 146 rooms, all with free WiFi, air conditioning and memory foam beds. Guests have a gourmet restaurant, a bar, a gym and facilities for business travellers as well as families. The surrounding streets are known for upscale shopping and dining, with museums and landmarks within reach. Rates start at around $339 a night, so it suits travellers with a generous budget; guest review scores are generally strong.What stands out

Renovated 19th-century palace building

Gourmet restaurant and bar on site

Strong guest review scores

Family friendly with gym and WiFi

Watch out for

Nightly rates start around $339

Better-scored in Madrid

Ayala 63, Madrid: 4.3 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms). Ayala 63 is a boutique apartment hotel on Calle Ayala in the Salamanca district of Madrid, about 1.5 miles from the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Coolrooms Palacio De Atocha, Madrid: 4.3 ± 0.2 (solid evidence, 4 of 4 platforms), from $275 a night. CoolRooms Palacio de Atocha is a four-star boutique hotel on Calle de Atocha in Madrid's Literary Quarter, set in a mansion built in 1852.

Room Mate Alba, Madrid: 4.2 ± 0.2 (fair evidence, 3 of 4 platforms), from $195 a night. Room Mate Alba is a four-star boutique hotel located in the Barrio de Las Letras.