MY STAY
The room & Prado
Mandarin Oriental Ritz made Madrid's old grand-hotel style enjoyable rather than stiff. After the Prado, I could come back to the bar, garden and restored public rooms without feeling I had left the city entirely. The imposing lobby did not guarantee a large bedroom, though; room dimensions and view still deserved checking.
Housekeeping
Housekeeping paid attention in a way I appreciated, even polishing my walking shoes after a day at the museums. That felt more personal than a formal welcome speech. A narrow room would have been worth addressing immediately rather than waiting until the last night to regret the choice.
Bar & breakfast
The bar and Palm Court were good places to linger, but one breakfast iced latte was so poorly made I barely drank it. A beautiful room cannot improve what is in the glass. I kept other meals open for Madrid and made time for the indoor pool and spa after walking the city.
Would I return?
The Prado next door and a genuinely comfortable bedroom make a stronger argument for returning than the Ritz name. The useful, quiet details of service made more of a difference than the history on its own. This is a palace address that still needs to work as a place to sleep and eat.