Travel to Madrid: There was a time when being next to Barcelona was good enough for the second-fiddle city. With Madrid's tremendous growth, there are two powerhouse bona fide cities that visitors can hit in nearly one fell swoop. This is a city with plenty of Old World charm complemented by an emerging cosmopolitan town that is rising.
Madrid is rich with historical landmarks, museums, cultural centers, fine dining, and haute shopping venues. It also has luxury hotels, restaurants offering fine dining, and a lot to see and do. Here are a few suggestions to help get your party started!
Luxury Hotels in Madrid The Hotel Orfila is five-star boutique hotel that offers golf, horseback riding, and skiing for its most-fortunate guests. It originally was a 19th century-built mansion. The hotel is located in the middle of the city near the business financial and cultural centers of Madrid. The Hotel Ritz Madrid is located between Retiro Park, Teatro de la Zarzuela, the Prado, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Centro de Arte Moderno Reina Sofia museums. The Mirasierra Suites Hotel features the Juban Club, which is an executive floor of suites on the top floor that overlook Sierra de Guadarrama. The Santo Mauro Hotel is the former residence of the Duke of Santo Mauro. It is located in the center of town off the Paseo de la Castellana. The dance halls and library of the Duke's place were restyled in to meeting rooms and a restaurant.
Best Restaurants in Madrid Restauarante Zalacain is a gastronomical landmark that has been serving Mediterranean cuisine in a formal
atmosphere since 1973. Gentlemen are required to don a suit and tie. A shirt would probably be a good idea too. Zalacain boasts a vast wine collection approximating 35,000 bottles. The decorum is fantastic. The architecture is breathtaking. But for more than 75 years, La Ancha Restauarante has primarily focused on its decidedly traditional dishes and service over the years. If you are able
to focus on something besides the food, the place is suave, chic, and refined at no charge. Combarro presents award-winning seafood entrees that are subject to the season and availability of food and ingredients. The atmosphere-rich environ also offers an impressive array of fine wines. Speaking of the aforementioned Santo Mauro Hotel, the hotel's restaurant merits a mention in this section, too.
To Do in Madrid
Madrid has more than a dozen museums in the city to take in paintings by Rembrandt, Goya, Reubens an numerous works of acclaimed Spanish artists such as Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. The Prado Museum and the Archaeological Museum are great starting points. The latter contains artifacts that are more than 14,000 years old.
If partying in a 19th century palace reshaped into a decadent discotheque intrigues you, head for the Palacio Gaviria. Even Madrid's nightlife intertwines the old and the new eras fluidly. Special VIP events occur nightly. The Joy Eslava is another enclave of vibrant nightlife. And it is located on the same street as the Palacio Gaviria. When one cab ride can taxi you into two hotspots, it is a deal that is too good to resist. Always enjoy yourself responsibly!
The Plaza Puerto del Sol is good area
to meet and casually absorb Madrid's charming essence. The numerous shops, bars, and restaurants make it a great place to leisurely linger and lounge. It is the center of Madrid. See the Bernabéu Stadium, which holds 80,000, and Madrid's "Manhattan," consisting of high-rise buildings such as the Torre Picasso and the Torre Europa. Minoru Yamasaki, the designer of the fallen WTC Towers in New York, is the architect of the Torre Picasso. The Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and the Palacio de Communicaciones are just two of the historical sites that dot Madrid's cityscape.
Written by the staff writers of JustLuxé
Getting there:
Location: Madrid airport (MAD)is located eight miles (13km) from the city centre. Contacts: Tel: +34 (0) 902 404 704. Transfer between terminals: Moving walkways connect the airport's four terminals and a free transfer bus is available for passengers changing flights and terminals. The airport is served by regular buses, the metro system and taxis. Trains run daily, linking to the city and stations connected to the main rail network. Journey time to the city centre is around half an hour. Car rental: Several car hire companies are represented at the airport including Avis, Hertz, National and Europcar.
When? The sky above Madrid is usually always blue, brushed with puffy white clouds. There is a big temperature variation between winter and summer to take into account when planning a Madrid holiday however. The altitude means blistering summers and freezing winters, so the best time to travel to Madrid is during the more temperate shoulder seasons of spring and autumn.
Who for? Art lovers of course are the main category of travellers who will revel in a holiday in Madrid, but the city has something to offer anyone who enjoys exploring the world's great capitals, from parks to flea markets, grand museums to tiny taverns.
VISIT WEBSITE 91/429-36-40 28014 Manual Fernandez y Gonzalez 7 Madrid (Plaza Santa Ana)
Café de Chinitas
91/559-5135 Torrija 7, Madrid
Luxury Hotels & City Guides
City Guides
Vacation Type
Hotel Reservations
Luxury Hotels in Madrid
The Westin Palace Built at the direction of King Alfonso XIII in 1912, The Westin Palace, Madrid was recently restored to its original splendor. Set near the Prado, notable museums and historic monuments, it was named to the Condé Nast Traveler Top Hotels List in 2006.
Silken Hotel Puerta America The Hotel Puerta América is a space that invites people to dream - a neverbeen-
attempted-before project that has brought together nineteen of the
top architecture and design studios in the world from thirteen different countries.
Adler Hotel For many, the Adler is the most gorgeous, fashionable and sophisticated boutique hotel in Madrid; located in the prestigious Barrio Salamanca, surrounded by designer shops, it is home to celebrities visiting...
De Las Letras Hotel & Restaurante Built in 1917, the building which houses the De Las Letras hotel is located in one of the nicest areas of the city; Cinemas, theatres, cafes, the Gran Via is synonymous with a culture that is constantly developing.
Hotel AC Palacio del Retiro AC Selection looks for that distinctive building, unique in every city, then renovates it for special life. Our hotels offer their guests history and art.
Hotel Vincci Centrum Vincci Centrum is a designer hotel, warm and welcoming, strategically located in the centre of Madrid, just a few minutes from the Puerta del Sol and the Art Triangle formed by the Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía museums.
Hotel Ritz Hotel Ritz has long provided the capital's most elegant entertainment. To stay at the Hotel Ritz is to step inside a baroque palace, an experience you won't forget
Hotel Urban The urban hotel of the 21st century, for gourmet luxury lovers wanting to escape tradition. A personal, five-star, luxury service. A cosmopolitan and heterogeneous place where there are no set rules
atmosphere since 1973. Gentlemen are required to don a suit and tie. A shirt would probably be a good idea too. Zalacain boasts a vast wine collection approximating 35,000 bottles. The decorum is fantastic. The architecture is breathtaking. But for more than 75 years, 
The Plaza Puerto del Sol is good area
to meet and casually absorb Madrid's charming essence. The numerous shops, bars, and restaurants make it a great place to leisurely linger and lounge. It is the center of Madrid. See the Bernabéu Stadium, which holds 80,000, and Madrid's "Manhattan," consisting of high-rise buildings such as the Torre Picasso and the Torre Europa. Minoru Yamasaki, the designer of the fallen WTC Towers in New York, is the architect of the Torre Picasso. The Royal Palace (Palacio Real) and the Palacio de Communicaciones are just two of the historical sites that dot Madrid's cityscape. 
