The establishment belongs to Hesperia, a luxury urban hotel chain that has been managed since the end of 2009 by the NH Hoteles group. It boasts some of the highest standards of all of the luxury hotels in Madrid. Indeed, since the day it opened it has been part of the international luxury hotel group, 'The Leading Hotels of the World'. Before the building was fully renovated by the Hesperia chain to house the current hotel, it was home to another five-star hotel, the Luz Palacio. Every last corner of the Hesperia Madrid oozes luxury and well-being. However, you might find certain parts of the hotel a bit short of space, especially the entrance, where there is room for just a single car and the pavement, or indeed the reception, which is hidden behind some columns. The avant-garde decor in the communal spaces and the more classic decor in the guest rooms are further attributes of this hotel. Wherever you are in the hotel, you can be sure to feel at home. The lounges and other communal spaces are the work of the famous interior designer Pascua Ortega, who also spruced up the appearance of the city in honour of the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Asturias. The guest rooms, on the other hand, were designed by a team of interior decorators employed by the Hesperia chain. The type of guest staying at the hotel depends on the day of the week: 90% of the guests from Monday to Friday are staying for business reasons, while holidaymakers fill the rooms over the weekend. Families have the use of a cot free of charge, and there is also a nanny service on request (this is taken charge of by the hotel staff), a special buffet for children, and games to keep toddlers amused. These final two services are available at breakfast time on the weekend. The very well-known gym, the Metropolitan Abascal, is not far away and offers preferential rates to guests staying at the Hesperia Madrid. All the same, we would advise you to use the hotel gym for several reasons: it is free, it is open 24 hours a day, it is equipped with modern machines and it enjoys sublime views. Televisions, towels, changing rooms, apples and newspapers are all provided for guests free of charge in this space dedicated to physical exercise. Spanish-language newspapers are also provided free of charge in several areas of the hotel. International newspapers are available on request, but they must be paid for. The underground car park can be accessed from the street and has space for 36 cars. Allow around Ł26 a day for parking fees. There are also several car parks in the district that offer preferential rates to guests staying at the hotel.
Amy Adejokun
Section editor
