La Posada del Peine (Comb Inn)

Legend has it that you will find a comb in every room of this inn. But in order to you find out if that tradition still stands today will have to make a reservation. And do not be surprised if you feel a strange presence in the corridors since, apparently, the inn has had a “permanent resident” for centuries.

La Posada del Peine is the oldest hotel establishment in the Villa y Corte (Madrid), founded in 1610 on Calle del Vicario Viejo (now Calle Postas). Its first owner was Juan Posada (Posada is Spanish for inn), who honored his last name upon entering the place. At the end of the 18th century, the inn was enlarged for the first time as it had become a popular place to stay in the center of Madrid.

Throughout the 19th century, new extensions were carried out, giving the building one extra floor, turning it into one of the leading establishments in the sector in terms of prestige. In the 20th century, Camilo José Cela, winner of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Literature, revitalized his fame with his writings about the inn.

Do not miss the modest shrine with a clock on the inn’s façade which was built in 1892. The shrine was placed there to mark the fourth centennial of the arrival of Columbus to America,

The inn’s traditional spirit is still intact despite the many renovations. For a 400-year-old inn, it is surprising how full of life it still is.