Grand Hotel Centenari, Valencia, Autograph Collection – Review

Set in a restored 1925 building, Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia, Autograph Collection captures the energy of a bygone era yet infused with modern luxury and Mediterranean warmth. With the grand Town Hall just across the square and the historic Post Office nearby, you are immersed in Valencia’s architectural and cultural story from the moment you arrive.

Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia is on the emblematic Plaza del Ayuntamiento, making this a captivating experience for visitors to this Mediterranean capital.

Rooms and Suites

The hotel’s 53 rooms reflect the spirit of the late 1920s, thoughtfully blending period details with the expectations of contemporary luxury travellers. Whether in a City View room overlooking Plaza del Ayuntamiento or the spacious Grand Hotel Centenari Suite, guests find elegance balanced contemporary flair. Rooms include Nespresso machines, minibars, and climate control.

Room categories run from twin-bedded Deluxe rooms to corner suites offering wider views of the bustling square below. The interiors echo Art Deco’s geometric lines and warm materials, creating a soothing retreat in the city centre.

The rooms have a calm confidence that suits the elegance of this 1920s landmark. Noble materials of wood, brass and soft textiles are used together with a palm motif woven through rugs and screens that nods to Art Deco while feeling very Valencia. It reads as a gentle echo of the city’s coastal palms.

The bed deserves a mention: a deep, supportive mattress with a plush topper and crisp, high-thread-count linens. Embroidered pillows add a nice touch. The bathroom feels thought through, with strong lighting, good mirrors and an electronic control for the shower that lets you set temperature and flow with a tap of the fingers. Amenities are by Typology, in line with the hotel’s pared-back aesthetic, and the welcome amenity is a neat box of handmade chocolates personalised with Soul of 1927.

We stayed on the sixth floor facing Plaza del Ayuntamiento and woke to a panorama of ornate façades, the Town Hall’s clock tower and the handsome Post Office building with its tower. In March, the daily mascletà thunders here during Fallas; from above you grasp the scale before stepping into the crowd at street level later. In quieter months the fountain anchors the scene and the bells mark the hours.

Dining

Soul of 1927 is the hotel’s gastronomic and social space. Inspired by French bistros and the cosmopolitan vibe of New York and Chicago in the Jazz Age, the restaurant serves a Mediterranean menu with light, fresh starters, and hearty mains.

Soul of 1927 brings the hotel’s Art Deco mood to the table from breakfast through to dinner. Mornings are fully served and unhurried, with mollete de jamón, Eggs Benedict and good coffee. Later, an all-day card runs from a raw bar and shareable classics to mains such as fried cod with titaina and olives or a well handled beef tenderloin. Live piano with occasional vocals plays Tuesday to Saturday, which suits a first drink or a late sitting. Upstairs, the rooftop shifts to city views, regular DJs and neatly made cocktails, including Hilo Dorado, Línea Directa and Interferencias. Non-residents are welcome, and window tables look onto Plaza del Ayuntamiento.

Guests praise the Nicoise salad, a vibrant mix of greens, tuna, anchovy, quail eggs and herbs, balanced with an olive oil vinaigrette. The rosemary beef sirloin, finished with sea salt, shares the plate with perfectly crisp French fries and roasted peppers.

Desserts like torrija, a Spanish take on French toast with crunchy sugar topping and creamy ice cream, or the panacotta with warm toasted bread (Farta) offer a sweet close to the meal. Cocktails crafted by Luca, the bar manager, complement the menu.

Live music plays an integral part of the atmosphere here. A pianist softly weaving jazz melodies alongside occasional vocalists helps the restaurant feel less like a local venue.

Location and Culture

The hotel’s position, on Plaza del Ayuntamiento, means guests are in the heart of the city, on probably the city’s most emblematic squares, that’s at the end of the evocative old town. Valencia’s museums, galleries, and historic monuments are all steps away. The nearby Mercado Central offers a captivating insight into Valencia’s food culture, while the nearby Turia Gardens provide green spaces for walking, jogging, or cycling.

Beyond Valencia’s historic streets one finds the futuristic architecture of the City of Arts and Sciences. Broad, sandy Mediterranean beaches are minutes away too, inviting swimming and sunbathing, while vibrant neighbourhoods such as Ruzafa buzz with trendy cafes, bars, and galleries.

The hotel also curates a programme of local activities and partnerships with institutions like the Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno, providing guests with enriching opportunities to connect with the city’s artistic pulse.

For those seeking the coast, Malvarrosa Beach is just six kilometres away, while the city’s main train station sits around 1.5 kilometres to the south, offering easy access for day trips or onward travel.

Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia, Autograph Collection is managed by ACHM Hotels by Marriott, the leading hotel management company in southern Europe, chaired by Antonio Catalán.

Destination: Valencia

Valencia is the regional capital with a historic centre that people still call home, and the city spills down to the shores of the Mediterranean.

The former riverbed of the Turia is now a ribbon of gardens that carries you on foot or by bike to the City of Arts and Sciences, the vast white complex by Calatrava and Candela.

In the old town you move between the cathedral, Lonja de la Seda and Mercado Central, where it is worth buying rice and saffron, so you can prepare  a paella at home.

Down by the marina, the legacy of the America’s Cup lingers in the sailing scene and a string of casual places for a drink after a walk along Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches.

The city’s calendar includes the extraordinary Fallas festival that fills the streets with art, music and fire, while the mascletà thunders across Plaza del Ayuntamiento. Valencia’s push to green its streets and squares earned European Green Capital status in 2024, and you feel it in the shaded city squares, cycle lanes and easy access to parks. If you have a spare afternoon, head to Albufera for boat rides among the reeds and a late lunch of paella. With trains to Castellón and Alicante, and country roads into orange groves and vineyards, Valencia also works as a gateway to the wider Mediterranean region.

Final Thoughts

Grand Hotel Centenari Valencia is a reimagined landmark that respects its history with style.