Hesperia Madrid
Paseo de la Castellana 57, Madrid, 28046, Spain
Why We Like It
You're considerably removed from the bustling tourist center at Hesperia, but for business travelers and Real Madrid fans, the hotel's proximity to the financial district, airport, and Santiago Bernabéu statdium is a real advantage. That said, travelers of all ilks can appreciate this hotel's five-star service and amenities, not to mention rooftop gym and Michelin-starred dining.
Fodor's Expert Review
A five-star hotel geared toward the business traveler, Hesperia Madrid is located in the city's financial district, miles away from the tourist hubbub and within walking distance of Bernabéu Stadium and the National Museum of Natural Sciences. What the hotel lacks in inspirational design (think heavy curtains and upholstered armchairs) it makes up for with envelope-pushing cuisine in its two-Michelin-star restaurant, Santceloni. Valet parking, an open-air "sky gym," and multiple meeting spaces add comfort and convenience.
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Room
Classically decorated rooms—with wall-to-wall carpeting, built-in wardrobes, and bergère chairs—are ample and luxurious, and all include Nespresso machines, fresh flower arrangements, and 24-hour room service. There are 32 suites, some of which spill out onto spacious, sunny patios decked out with chaises longues and jacuzzis.
You Should Know Exterior-facing rooms, while sunnier, aren't immune to the constant hum of traffic, despite the double-glazed windows. Interior-facing rooms are quieter, though some are rather dark.
Bathroom
Marble-clad bathrooms are roomy and well-stocked with bathrobes and big, fluffy towels. Suites come with complimentary Bvlgari toiletries.
Lobby
There's so much purple and gold in the Hesperia lobby that it might as well be the entrance to some sort of palace. Check-in staff are amicable and efficient, and concierges are eager to assist with ticket purchases and other special requests.
Gym
The "Sky Gym," where you can break a sweat while taking in gorgeous views of the skyline, is equipped with several cardio machines, dumbbells, stability balls, and more.
Tip Runners should inquire at reception about individualized training with a professional coach, a program created in tandem with the Metropolitan Running Club.
Dining
One of Madrid's top restaurants, the two-Michelin-star Santceloni, located on the ground floor of the hotel, offers a seafood-heavy menu of tweezed-and-microgreened epicurean delights complemented by a 2,000-bottle-deep wine list. Of particular note is the old-school cheese cart, wheeled around by a bowtied waiter and laden with hard-to-find European quesos. The décor is surprisingly generic and disjointed for a restaurant of this caliber; fuschia water glasses and chairs upholstered with floral patterns clash with the checkerboard tile floor and central industrial workbench.
Drinking
The gentlemanly Scotch Bar might feel a tad stuffy and corporate, but its cushy banquettes and wood paneling make it a pleasant venue for an aperitif or nightcap.
What's Nearby
Getting Around
Hesperia is rather removed from most of Madrid’s top tourist attractions, so you’ll be making good use of the metro: Walk 7 minutes to Rubén Darío (Line 5) or 2 minutes to Gregorio Marañón (Lines 7 and 10).
Restaurants
Calle Ponzano, Madrid’s trendiest (and least touristy) tapas street, is an 8-minute walk from the hotel. Start your evening at Sala de Despiece, an ultramodern bar serving small plates derived from hand-selected local meats and vegetables, before making your way to Toque de Sal, a swanky bistro-style restaurant that treats ingredients like art.
Bars
You’ll want to venture slightly south of the hotel to the Salamanca district for exciting nightlife. There’s Ten con Ten (5-minute taxi), the buttoned-up “gin bar” that incited Madrid's gin-tónic frenzy a decade ago that hasn’t abated since. After a cocktail there, make your way to Arts Club (6-minute taxi), a buzzy bar and discoteca that heats up on the weekends with international DJ sets.
Quick Facts
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