Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
FIT FOR ROYALTY
HOT
VIBE
Palacio de Atocha is located in the Barrio de las Letras district of Madrid, close to the Plaza Major, the iconic Gran Via and Prado Museum.
Frequently cited asone of the coolest neighborhoods in the Spanish capital, the area is filled with shops, restaurants and cafes.
The neon red Coolrooms sign welcomes guests through the arched doorway and beyond reception lies a restaurant and pool.
STYLE
The hotel tapped into its long and storied history – it dates back to 1852 – as a former Palace of a high-ranking Navy official.
The figure of the God of Hermes is scattered throughout the design of the house and, like Madrid itself, could be described as classic mixed with the contemporary.
We reckon they’ve got the balance just right.
Staff are friendly and welcoming and create a relaxed vibe.
They are multi-lingual and happy to help guide you to the sites and attractions nearby.
ROOMS
With just 34 rooms, they have to make a statement and they certainly deliver on this with some of the largest bathrooms you’ll find.
A few offer a terrace and even if the room doesn’t offer a terrace, the ground floor offers seating both inside and outside in the garden area.
Picture this one. You’re getting ready for dinner and the mood music has to be just right.
Whatever your tastes, your tunes will never have sounded better when you pump the music through the Bang & Olufsen sound sytsems in the rooms.
FOOD & DRINK
Palacio de Atocha has got so much to set itself apart and its cuisine is another experience that ensures high a percentage of returning guests.
A relaxed bistro setting, is overseen by Chef Eduardo Gutierrez where he creates a traditional and contemporary fusion of dishes – reminiscent of Grandmother’s meals.
He uses traditional techniques to make the freshest food from local ingredients with little manipulation.
Lighter sauces and long cooking times plays into current concepts of the Slow Food and organic cuisine. You’ll find daily specials .
FOOD & DRINK
With such a perfect location, you can walk to both the Prado in 10 minutes and the world-class art collection of the Thyssen-bornemisza
Collection.
Living up their cool factor, if you prefer, the hotel can arrange for you to ride on a Harley-davidson for the day and explore villages north of the city.
They can also arrange for a wine and tapas tour to the small bars and restaurants of the city.
OUT AND ABOUT
It’s hard to know where to start. For art lovers there is only one place to begin and that’s the Prado – the city’s most celebrated museum. Featuring some of the most important artists to have worked in Spain, Greco, Goya and Velazquez are among the painters who work sdorn its walls.
The Matadero Madrid started life as an abattoir before being abandoned for many years. In 2007, however, the Neo-mudejar building was transformed into a multidisciplinary arts space. Keep an eye out for free exhibitions.
You’d never guess the Mercado de Vallehermoso once lay derelict and unloved.
But thanks to the Galeria de Productores initiative, it’s thriving and hosts artisan food producers.
The Mercado de San Fernando in the lively Lavapies district offers traditional butchers’ and fishmongers’ stalls live happily alongside those offering international cuisine
Don’t go to Madrid without trying churros con chocolate.
San Gines has been serving chocolate and churros 24 hours a day
since 1894.
‘‘ Palacio de Atocha has got so much to set itself part from the rest