Plaza de Espana - adjacent
Grand Via – 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
Royal Palace – 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
Plaza Mayor – 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles)
Thyssen Museum – 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles)
Prado Museum 3 kilometers (2 miles)
Retiro Park – 3 kilometers (2 miles)
Reina Sofia Art Center 3.5 kilometers (2.5 miles)
Plaza de Toros – 6 kilometers (3.5 miles)

Minibuses and taxi cabs are available for transfer from the airport to the center of Madrid. Metro line 8 also serves the airport and takes passengers into central Madrid.

The extensive Metro system connects the hotel with the rest of central London within 15 minutes. The Underground station closest to the hotel is Gregorio Maramon. There is also a wide choice of buses. The hotel can order taxis on request.

This hotel has 171 guestrooms, all of which have double glazing, voice mail and air conditioning. Guests are welcomed by fresh fruit and flowers in their rooms – lilies or orchards in the bedroom; a rose in the bathroom. True to the minimalist design of the hotel’s interior, whatever the flower, its color is white. Some rooms have views over the main street, others overlook courtyards. The marble bathrooms are fitted with a magnifying mirror, Bulgari toiletries, and a sponge. Guests can choose a pillow from the pillow menu, ranging from very soft to hypo-allergenic latex and goose feathers) and the turndown service, when chocolates and the next day’s weather forecast are placed on the bed. Two rooms are designed with easy access for disabled people.

Santceloni restaurant - The Catalan cuisine of chef and restauranteur Santi Santamaria is served at this one Michelin starred restaurant, situated on the lower ground floor, with street access. Slightly departing from the neutral tones of the hotel’s public spaces, interior decorator Pascua Ortega has injected rich green banquets into the neutral mix, and chequered marble in black and white lining some of the walls. Serving just 45 covers, the tables are discretely distanced. There is also private dining seating in a rust and black interior for 20. The table settings feature Baccarat crystal water glasses, wine glasses by the Austrian designer George Riedel and custom designed silver and ebony cutlery for deserts (the chocolate fritters are renowned). The menu draws on fresh seasonal produce – wild mushrooms and black truffles flown in daily from Catalonia and Galicia are favorite à la carte options. The signature dish is Ravioli de Gambas with Wild Mushroom Oil. The wine menu spans over 300 fine wines. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner; prior booking is recommended.

La Manzana - Buffet breakfast and modern Mediterranean cuisine for lunch and dinner is served in this informal restaurant, overlooking the central atrium lounge, with seating for around 50 diners. Paella with vegetables or lobster is a favorite. Vegetarian and low calorie dishes are available. The décor – neutral tones lifted with beige and gold - draws on the restaurant’s inspiration. La Manzana is named after the Spanish word for the golden apple which Hercules searched for in The Gardens of Hesperides.

Scotch Bar - Dark burnished wood, soft beige suede banquettes and the glinting bottles of the well stocked bar create a gentleman’s club atmosphere. Although brandies and cocktails, snacks and cigars are available the main attraction is the whisky. There are over 70 varieties on offer. Open all day, there is live piano music in the evenings.

Lucernario - Light pours in through the glass roof of this intimate area, decorated in the style of a Spanish garden, with lemon trees and a central sculpture. Breakfast, light lunch and afternoon teas (including Jasmine, Earl Grey and Redberries) are served here.

Lobby Lounge Bar - Guests can find a seat on the nut-colored sofas or wicker chairs to enjoy snacks and drinks.

What to expect: Interior decorator Pascua Ortega (designer of Madrid’s Royal Theater) has created a minimalist setting of natural fabrics (wood and leather) and neutral colors enlivened with bronze and gold. This, together with efficient but friendly service from the young staff (auditioned with help from a local theater director) draws successful business people, footballers, stars and the trendy set.

Amenity highlights: Michelin-starred Santceloni is a favorite with players from Real Madrid. Wireless Internet access (complimentary) is available in the public areas and conference rooms.

Insider tip: Paseo de la Castellana, where the hotel is located, is Madrid's grandest avenue, linking Plaza de Colón and Plaza de Castilla. Aristocratic mansions are interspersed with headquarters of international and national banks, and skyscrapers, including Madrid’s tallest building, the Torre Picasso. The ABC building is decorated in colorful ceramic tiles, while the Palacio de Congresos, has murals designed by Miró. On October 12 every year, the Spanish military parade marches by.

The business center on the first floor is equipped with fax, photocopier, scanner and four computers with high-speed Internet access (fee). Wireless Internet access (complimentary) is available in the lobby and meeting rooms. Each of the three meeting rooms on the lower ground floor - Tapies, Saura and Chillida - can be split in half and fitted with audio-visual equipment. The biggest, Tapies, can host 550 cocktail-style (280 in theater set-up). Temporary art exhibitions are displayed in the meeting room corridors.

The small shop sells upscale Madrid brands, from Lando’s silver jewelry to Carrera & Carrera silk scarves and leatherwear.