Madrid's Social Hub reimagines a historic publishing house as a vibrant urban playground where work, play and stay collide – just a stone's throw from the Royal Palace, says Olivia Palamountain

HOTEL

Opened in October 2022, the Social Hub Madrid breathes new life into a historic publishing house, formerly the headquarters of Semana magazine. Now a sprawling hospitality hub, it cleverly combines a four-star hotel, a more affordable two-star option, coworking spaces and dynamic social areas. This buzzing crossroads effortlessly lures globe-trotting wanderers, MacBook-wielding digital nomads and bright-eyed students into its vibrant embrace.

LOCATION

Perched on Cuesta de San Vicente, the hotel commands uninterrupted views of Madrid's majestic Royal Palace while sitting just minutes from the revitalised Plaza de España and the electrifying energy of Gran Vía. This prime spot puts you at the beating heart of Madrid's cultural renaissance and after-hours revelry.

ETHOS

While many hotels trumpet community and connection, the Social Hub delivers it through clever design, thoughtful programming and staff who genuinely believe in the concept. The boundary-blurring layout – where workspaces melt into social areas and accommodation feels like an extension of both – creates a spontaneous sociability and and a tangible buzz that feels authentic rather than engineered. You sense it immediately: this is a place where conversations start easily and often end unexpectedly.

GUEST PERSONAS

From thirty-something remote workers furiously typing away to international students animating the communal spaces and cultured travellers absorbing the atmosphere, the clientele defies easy categorisation. José Freán Ríos, general manager assistant at the property recounts how even an octogenarian German couple felt utterly at home here, a telling testament to the hotel's effortlessly inclusive vibe.

INTERIOR DESIGN

The sprawling space has been cleverly sectioned into distinct zones, each bursting with chromatic personality and playful design touches. The impactful main entrance was designed by Spanish artist Anna Taratiel and is covered in a graphic rainbow of ceramic tiles. Inside, walls adorned with vinyl records from Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa (courtesy of a savvy partnership with Warner Music Spain) complement the deliberately eclectic décor. It's worth asking for a tour to discover some of the more hidden statement rooms, from the Fanta-orange communal kitchen to hidden meeting and event spaces, including a fabulous atrium with a soaring glass ceiling. Special mention goes to the show-stopping Playroom. Channelling orgiastic decadence, it's complete with sumptuous velvet furnishings and a statement circular bed that wouldn't look out of place in a 70s porn king's boudoir.

ROOMS

The bedrooms in the four-star hotel arm offer functional if somewhat basic sanctuaries that could benefit from a design refresh to move beyond their slightly collegiate aesthetic. While equipped with comfortable beds, practical workstations and consistently robust wifi, they lack the distinctive personality found elsewhere in the property and could do with a little more "luxe". That said, amenities such as fluffy robes, a tea and coffee station and local snacks are included, and they serve perfectly adequately as a retreat from the city or smashing out deadlines.

Our King Palace View room, located on the seventh floor, compensated for its utilitarian styling with truly exceptional positioning, feeling like a privileged perch among the treetops and swaying branches, with lofty vistas of Madrid's grandest palace.

RESTAURANTS: WHAT TO EAT

The all-day eatery celebrates seasonal Spanish classics – think umami-rich Iberian ham and garlicky salmorejo that transports you straight to Andalusia. Summer's standout dish is undoubtedly the soy-marinated cucumber with velvety avocado and honey-sweet melon – the perfect antidote to Madrid's scorching afternoons.

The "help yourself" breakfast is a proper feast: freshly squeezed orange and ruby grapefruit juices, classic pan con tomate, cold cuts, creamy scrambled eggs, sausages, bountiful fresh fruit, yoghurts and an impressive bread selection.

WELLNESS FACILITIES

Fitness devotees have a petite but well-equipped gym to maintain their regimen, while loungers can unwind at the seasonal rooftop pool – an oasis with sweeping city vistas that comes into its own during Madrid's sun-drenched afternoons.x

WHERE TO WORK

The expansive work café downstairs offers ample space to focus, collaborate or simply nurse an expertly pulled cortado while plotting your day. Speedy internet, versatile seating arrangements and an atmosphere that's buzzing yet respectful make productivity unexpectedly pleasurable.

STANDOUT INNOVATIONS

The hotel's seamless integration of work, leisure and socialising spaces feels refreshingly organic rather than contrived. Regular community events, including talks, workshops and the unmissable "Focaccia & Beats" Saturday brunches during spring and summer, create genuine connection among guests, adding unexpected depth to what could otherwise be a transient stay.

ECO CREDENTIALS

With B Corp certification, the Social Hub Madrid genuinely embeds environmentally-conscious practices into its DNA, making it a sound choice for travellers who care about their carbon footprint without wanting to sacrifice comfort.

INSIDER TIP

Freán Ríos suggests taking time to leaf through the lovingly preserved editions of Semana magazine, meticulously bound and kept from the building's previous incarnation. Another relic from the past is a former employee locker still bearing collaged scraps of newspaper from the 50s – check out these unique time capsules for an engaging way to connect with a slice of Madrid's publishing heritage.

SERVICE

Social Hub service is on another level: super warm, attentive and refreshingly human. From sunny smiles at every turn to being authentically invested in ensuring we secured the best possible room rates without hidden surprises or tiresome upselling tactics, the team made our weekend.

VERDICT

With its charismatic blend of community, comfort and killer location, the Social Hub Madrid effortlessly reimagines what a city-centre stay can be. It's vibrant, welcoming and, perhaps most importantly, properly fun.

PRICE

Rates kick off around €148 per night, which feels entirely reasonable given the prime location, extensive amenities and the sheer quality of experience on offer.