The Spanish capital has a new address for fans of Japanese-Peruvian cooking: Nobu Hotel Madrid has opened its doors in the central Las Cortes district, between Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta del Sol. It's the first Nobu property in Madrid, and with just 50 rooms it's firmly pitched at the boutique-luxury end of the market.
The headline act for many will be the restaurant — Madrid's first Nobu, spread across three levels along with an all-day Lobby Lounge and a basement cocktail bar. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa's kitchen stays loyal to the classics (Black Cod Miso, Yellowtail Jalapeño) while weaving in Spanish produce: think Canarian sea bass and Mediterranean tuna.
The building itself has a story. It was once a bank, and the lower-ground cocktail bar leans into that past, keeping the original vault walls and safety deposit boxes as design features. There's a high-fidelity vinyl DJ setup, martini-led cocktails and bar snacks with a local twist. Up top, a seventh-floor rooftop serves aperitivo-style drinks and a shareable menu with panoramic city views — clearly designed with sunset in mind.
The interiors come from Madrid-based studio GRONDA (public areas) and Studio Caramba (rooms), mixing warm timber, dark stone and bronze tones downstairs, and wood tones with deep green accents and floor-to-ceiling windows in the 50 rooms and suites. The flagship Nobu Suite runs to 105 square metres and comes with its own private terrace.
On the practical side, guests get an indoor pool, a Technogym fitness centre, in-room dining from the Nobu kitchen, priority reservations at the restaurant, the brand's signature beds and BYREDO toiletries. The Lobby Lounge doubles as a neighbourhood hangout, with a specialty coffee programme built around local roasters, wines by the glass and light dishes throughout the day.
Why it matters: Madrid has been steadily building a case as one of Europe's most compelling luxury and food destinations, and this opening adds a big-name culinary draw to a very walkable central neighbourhood — Las Cortes puts you minutes from the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and the bars of Huertas. If you've stayed at Nobu's other European outposts, this follows the same formula of compact rooms, standout dining and serious design, but with a distinctly Madrid accent.