Orfila Art Galleries - opposite
Colon Square (Christopher Columbus statue) – 0.1 meters (0.06 miles)
Serrano Street (upscale shopping) – 500 meters (0.3 miles)
Prado Museum – 1 kilometer (0.6 miles)
Grand Via – 1 kilometer (0.6 miles)
Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum - 1 kilometer (0.6 miles)
Puerto del Sol – 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Retiro Park – 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Plaza Mayor – 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Plaza de Espana – 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Royal Palace – 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
El Rastro Flea Market - 2 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Western Park – 2 kilometers (0.9 miles)
Reina Sofia Art Center - 2 kilometers (1.2 miles)
IFEMA (convention center) – 10 kilometers (6.2 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 Madrid within 10 minutes. The metro station closest to the hotel is Colón or Alonso Mastivez. There is also a wide choice of buses. The hotel can order taxis on request.

This hotel has 32 guestrooms, all of which have high-speed wireless Internet access (fee), and encircle the courtyard garden. Guests are welcomed with a complimentary bottle of Spanish wine with olive paté; and biscuits. Sheets are linen. Some beds have automated latex mattresses. There are views of the garden or Orfila Street. Each room has a unique decoration, but light tones, often yellow or green, are always predominant. With the exception of an inoffensive television stand and minibar, all furniture is original 19th century. All have two comfortable chairs next to a coffee table; most have a fabric-covered sofa. Nineteenth century paintings and prints, and framed silk scarves by Cartier and Loewe hang on the walls, (as well as 20th century takes on paintings by Spanish masters Velasquez and Goya). The bathrooms have Etro designer toiletries, hydro-massage baths, flowers and telephones.

El Jardin de Orfila - Breakfast buffet and à; la carte lunch and dinner are served in this bright room, decorated in yellow and caramel. There are just 20 covers, all much in demand. The cuisine is Spanish Mediterranean and international. Suckling pig in pear cream is the specialty. In summer, guests can dine al fresco for a candlelit evening meal.

Tea room - Located at the far end and to the right of the lobby, this offers direct access to the courtyard garden. Snacks and drinks are served here all day but it is particularly popular for afternoon tea and pastries. It also hosts private lunches and dinners.

The Bar - Located to the right of the lobby, this intimate area is decorated with green fabric-covered banquettes, 19th century chairs and bold English maroon and green-striped wallpaper. The cocktails served here from midday until late are renowned. The fruity red Agnes Sorel wine is the specialty of the house.

What to expect: The 19th century mansion is just off the busy Paseo de la Castellana. Inside, the original carriage entrance leads into a marble-floored lobby, furnished with 19th century furniture, and original, largely Spanish, paintings. Local and international business travelers dominate during the week. At weekends, leisure travelers are in the majority. Since the restaurant is a highlight of the hotel, food lovers are tempted to stay here.

Amenity highlights: The meeting room, which has a maximum capacity for 90 people, is fitted with audio-visual equipment and has high-speed wireless Internet access (fee). It is nonetheless decorated with original 19th century furniture, and decorated in delicate yellow and caramel tones.

Insider tip: Guests are advised to take a good look at the antique furniture and art work in the hotel – which ranges from a painting by a disciple of Goya to delicate, gilded Venetian chairs, gilded Parisian cabinets and 19th century English engravings. The most entertaining painting hangs in The Bar - El Torero by A. Atalaya (1897) depicts a drunken bullfighter, slumped over his drinks.

The meeting room is located downstairs from the lobby, past an original painting of a pastoral scene by Luculo (an art restorer at the Prado). The eaves of the roof are glass, allowing natural light to enter from the courtyard garden. There is a capacity for up to 90 people, and audio-visual services are available. There is wireless Internet access. In spite of modern amenities, all furniture is 19th century.

The two-level courtyard garden bursts into blossom in summer with yellow, sweet-scented mimosa. Mandarin trees flourish until late autumn and bay trees keep the garden green year round. At the end of the garden, the wall is painted with a trompe l’oeil landscape mural by Luculo.