MI CASA ES TU CASA
Madrid caters to all tastes when it comes to stylish lodgings. Aesthetes will never want to leave Four Seasons Hotel Madrid and its collection of nearly 1,500 paintings, photographs and sculptures. Curated by Paloma Fernández-Irionado, creativity and artistic genius is found in every nook and cranny of the property’s guest rooms, suites and public spaces. Highlights include Eduardo Perez-Cabrero’s Starry Night, an installation of 1,500 small brass pieces on a curved wall beside the lobby’s staircase, representing the night sky; and Sandra Val’s Hybrid Garden, an ode to Asian and European traditions that can be appreciated in the sophisticated surrounds of Isa with an award-winning cocktail.
For those seeking something a little more intimate, head behind the Elizabethan façade of a 19th century palace and discover Palacio de los Duques Gran Meliá. The distinguished RedLevel experience grants guests special access to the RedLevel Lounge, where glasses of Möet Chandon are toasted and tapas are savoured while admiring the brushstrokes of the legendary artist Diego Velázquez; inspiration for the hotel’s design. Or grab a book from the library and make your way to the terrace overlooking the historic Madrid de los Austrias area. RedLevel guests receive the royal treatment with welcome amenities, shoe-shining and ironing services courtesy of a private butler.
If location is your top priority, you can’t do much better than The Madrid EDITION, the newest of this tantalising trio of luxury hotels. Surrounded by historic buildings, the 200-key property is only a short stroll from the Puerta de Sol, the Golden Triangle of Art (Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza and Museo Nacional Reina Sofia) and the world’s oldest restaurant, Casa Botín. Those who prefer to chill at the hotel can soak up the sun at one of Madrid’s biggest rooftop pools before tucking into Peruvian fare at the greenhouse-like setting of Oroya restaurant or sipping on a signature Corsair Punch at the popular Punch Room.
ARTISTIC INFLUENCERS
Madrid is generously endowed with art galleries, museums and historical landmarks. Take a wander down the Paseo del Arte where you will find the Museo Nacional del Prado. Exhibiting artworks since 1819, this cathedral of art houses more than 8,000 paintings, 5,000 drawings, 2,000 engravings and 700 sculptures, so set a full day aside. Make a beeline for Veláquez’s Las Meninas in a central oval room on the first floor before dropping down a level to admire Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthy Delights. Goya aficionados have plenty to cast their eyes upon including his intense Saturn Devouring His Son and the haunting and evocative Black Paintings.
A little further along the Paseo del Arte is Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza. Originally the private collection of Baron Hans Heinrich and Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza, the ensemble spans the history of art between the 13th and 20th centuries, including the Gothic style of Jan van Eyck and the relatively recent Pop Art of Roy Lichtenstein. Hop on one of several interactive activities like The Culture of Wine thematic tour and explore how wine has been a source of artistic inspiration via a guided audio tour covering key works in the permanent collection. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a self-guided wine tasting at Mercado de San Miguel following a stroll through Madrid’s Plaza Mayor.
Add some international colour to your art immersion with a visit to Galería de Arte Marlborough. Like its counterparts in New York and London, contemporary art is king here. The gallery showcases more than 20 artists and artworks that have shaped the art house’s identity since it opened in 1992. Expect to see works from artist Antonio López-García, the painters Juan Genovés and Luis Gordillo, as well as the sculptors, David Rodríguez Caballero and Francisco Leiro in bright and spacious exhibition halls. Temporary monthly exhibitions also form part of the museum’s offering, meaning there’s always something new to see on every visit.
FASHION FIRST
Madrid is Spain’s undisputed fashion capital. Walk the golden mile of Calle Serrano and you’ll find yourself surrounded by a heady assortment of international and homegrown brands. Taking its name from General Serrano of the 1868 Glorious Revolution, giants of luxury fashion like Hermès, Chanel, Dior and Louis Vutton all reside here. Begin at Plaza de la Independencia and work your way along the 3km avenue of style, haute couture and exclusive jewellers, where browsing is required and spending is recommended. There’s also a thriving community of gastronomic gems, where charming terraces afford a prime position for people watching and VIP spotting.
Fashion experts and personal shoppers are on hand to provide tailored style advice at El Corte Inglés, Spain’s most iconic shopping centre. There are more than 100 stores in which to peruse including Kenzo, Calvin Klein and Givenchy, alongside the heavy hitters of fashion and perfumery like Gucci, Balmain and Prada. Gourmands also have a plethora of restaurants in which to sate retail-fuelled appetites. Go topside to Streetxo for elevated street food dishes in a punk rocker’s paradise, with a helping of Madrid’s skyline on the side. Headed by acclaimed chef Dabiz Muñoz, this popular spot fills up fast at lunchtime and doesn’t accept resevations, so join the queue early to secure a table.
Alternatively, set a course for Las Rozas Village. Just 30 minutes from the city centre, the outlet village offers huge savings at more than 100 global boutiques and the architecture is just as enthralling as the shops. Inspired by the tale of a Spanish prince who transformed a barren garden into a grand urban estate filled with Europe’s important cities, structures come replete with golden domes, lattices and pointed arches, as seen in the Royal Pavilion in the British seaside resort of Brighton. There are also tributes to the La Pagode de Chanteloup, an 18th century folly built by the Duc du Choiseul in the Loire Valley, and a traditional Mexican home.