Madrid. It has become a super desirable city to visit. Once overshadowed by its neighbouring Barcelona and Seville, Madrid has come into its own with the best parts of both of them.

I would definitely be stealing the line from the hotel manager if I said that, It is modern and fashionable “but you can still imagine Don Quixote riding through the streets”…. If you don’t know, look it up people. This isn’t wikipedia.

Located on the Paseo de la Castellana, the Hesperia Hotel is every inch the Madrid ideal with a 2 Michelin star restaurant and a rooftop gym, but traditional in its colours and service.

The entire hotel is created to maximise light and space and the first thing you notice is the sky high, glass roof atrium in the middle of the hotel.

The Rooms: 

With 5 room options available, each of the rooms is bright, neutral and crisp. Also, the bed is alarmingly comfortable.

I have also said before that the choice of bath products is quite reflective of the hotels style and theirs are changed seasonally and in my lucky case was the full Bulgari range.

As a little extra perk, with some suites they offer a butler service and VIP in room spa treatments. You know, if getting the lift to the spa is too much effort, or you are Penelope Cruz.

The presidential suite comes complete with outdoor rooftop jacuzzi and a private terrace big enough to host a Real Madrid team party up there. (Ok, lets not pretend I know how big a full football team is)

The Sky Gym:

Now, I know what you’re thinking… “The gym? With their amazing weather?!” Well my friends, you can have both in their rooftop gym. Tanning and toning your way to a guilt free jamon croquetta binge that will inevitably find you at lunch.

The Whiskey Bar:

I am not ashamed to admit that I am not a Whiskey connoisseur. One of my group previously tried to explain the different “Pete/earthy” flavours in several different whiskeys and that my friends… is how “Forgotten Friday” happened. However, if you know your whiskeys, then this place is for you. They have hundreds of them and incredibly rare bottles.

Should you favour gin, they also have a Gin trunk (which is where gin should always be presented) with a large selection of gins. So, win win. Incidentally, they also do pop up and/or private events like Gin Cocktail making and whiskey masterclasses which they will also organise for your group.

The lobby is also a pretty popular meeting place for pre dinner drinks for locals and visitors.

Dining: 

There are 3 restaurants to choose from including La Manzana in the beautiful atrium (with an ever changing Spanish menu), the Japanese Hikari sushi bar (which often offers sushi masterclasses) and the jewel in their crown, The 2 Michelin star Santceloni.

Originally created by Chef Santi Santamaria  in 2001, this place has become famed for its incredibly lavish menus and 1600 fine wines. Now managed by renowned chef Oscar Velasco, the restaurant is known as one of the best in Spain. There is an additional private dining room with seating for 20.

Their daily breakfast buffet makes a medieval banquet look like a light snack and truthfully, anywhere that combines a dozen different buffet stations, healthy GF menus and the option for a glass of red for breakfast is winning.

  

So, if rooftop gyms, 2 Michelin star restaurants, whiskey bars and buffets big enough to get lost in are your thing, book yourself a weekend here. If not, maybe spend the money on a therapy session and ask yourself why they aren’t your thing.

Hesperia Madrid: Paseo de la Castellana, 57, 28046 Madrid, Spain