The building housing the hotel is one of Madrid's architectural gems in general and of the Gran Vía in particular. Having said that, its style is not unlike that of some of the city's other symbolic buildings, such as the Casino and even the Ritz and Palace hotels. Designed in 1921 by architect Joaquín Saldaña y López, this monumental, eclectic-looking building is rather Louis-esque, as if offering some sort of tribute to the French art of the 17th and 18th centuries. It stands out for its height, its well-maintained white façade, and its many perfectly harmonious decorative features (columns, kiosks, piers, and vases), among other things. Indeed, for a period of a few years, the building was in fact adorned with the arms of its original owner, the Marquis of Falces. The charm of its exterior is reflected at various points inside the hotel, particularly the terraces and the unique style of the guest rooms. The Atlántico has several terraces where guests can relax with a drink or even just admire the spectacular views across the city. One of them is even adorned with a Greek-style sculpture, various plants, and a few pretty little garden tables, bringing a touch of the Garden of Eden to this city-centre hotel. Let's not forget, either, the great tower, complete with a French cupola topping the building and affording fully panoramic views of Madrid, from the Cerro de los Ángeles ('Hill of the Angels') to the four towers, with the Casa de Campo along the way. This area is in fact heritage-listed (as are many parts of the hotel), so whilst you are welcome to come up and admire the views, you won't find any furniture due to preservation reasons. The 9 storey building has a cafeteria on its first floor, guest rooms between the second and eighth floors, and various communal areas, including several terraces and traditional lounge areas on the ninth floor. The lounges, for their part, are crammed full of classical decorative features such as rugs, paintings, and elegant yet traditional sofas.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
