It had been a while since I last visited Spain, and perhaps 10 years since my last trip to the Spanish capital. Madrid may not be the most beautiful city in Spain, but it has a faded, almost weathered charm that truly speaks to me. Whenever I go, I feel like I’m in an old film with washed-out colors. The reason for my visit to Madrid was quite pleasant, as it was to discover, among other things, the brand-new hotel from the NH Collection range: the Gran Via. In this article, I will tell you about my experience at the Gran Via during my stay, but I will also, of course, share some great addresses that I had the opportunity to test, as is my habit.
_
Table of Contents
The NH Collection Madrid Gran Via
This upscale 4-star hotel offers a central location in Madrid and a magnificent rooftop that has made more than a few people envious… And for good reason, you can see some photos below that should convince you… It was obviously a pleasure to enjoy the benefits of the Spanish capital in such a setting.
The Rooftop
This rooftop terrace hosts the establishment’s skybar with a unique view of the city that one absolutely never tires of…
It is the perfect place to sit back and have a drink while chilling out after a day of sightseeing or shopping, all while admiring a magnificent sunset over the city… In short, even if you are not staying at the hotel during your visit to Madrid, having an aperitif on this rooftop can be a very good idea (I would even call it a ‘bon plan’ / great tip, but anyway…).
My room 710
This small, cozy, and well-laid-out room also has a cute little circular mini-terrace. The spaces are well thought out, and it is extremely comfortable. My only complaint would be that annoying green safety light that is on at night, which I found far too bright (so much so that I slept with an airplane eye mask provided by the hotel, which really saved me)… Well, at the same time, I admit that I am very sensitive to light at night… I think that in other rooms it is not a problem because this light is in the entrance and separated from the bed by a small corridor, but that was not the case in my room.
But fortunately, the hotel staff is full of little, extremely pleasant attentions towards their clients and is attentive to their well-being, which is particularly appreciated.
The breakfast
The breakfast buffet is served on the 8th floor of the hotel. It is of good quality and offers a nice variety of products. You can eat inside, but there is also a small outdoor area if you wish to eat outside during sunny days, which is very pleasant.
My tip: do not miss ordering eggs (scrambled, omelet, or fried), they are absolutely delicious!
The hotel’s great tips:
- if you need to iron clothes, you just need to ask for an iron for free at the reception (yes, I know, it seems you can do that in almost all hotels, but for me, it was the first time I discovered the concept, so don’t make fun of me…)
- free wifi in the hotel
- « lazy Sunday » offer (breakfast until noon and free late checkout on Sunday): reserved for members of the NH Rewards program
Rates: room prices between 140 € and 200 € per night
NH Collection Madrid Gran Via Gran Via, 21 Madrid
_
My good addresses in Madrid
Obviously, the Spanish capital is full of addresses and I tested very few during my short stay, but I still wanted to share them with you.
_
The Hotel Suecia
During our stay in Madrid, we went to spend the evening at the hotel’s restaurant Casa Suecia. This 5-star hotel, which also belongs to the NH Collection brand, is located in the heart of the city’s historic center. Renovated in 2016, the hotel was originally inaugurated in 1956 by the royal family of Sweden and served notably as the Madrid residence for Ernest Hemingway (hence the name of the hotel bar I’m telling you about below) as well as the revolutionary Che Guevara.
The Rooftop
We started by having a little aperitif on the nice rooftop of the establishment. Once again, the place is superb, with super cozy decor and a breathtaking view of the city.
Dinner at the hotel restaurant
The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, Casa Suecia, is run by chef Lluis Canadell (coincidence, he is also behind the creation of the place El Nacional in Barcelona, which I will tell you about in another article very soon).
The Hemingway bar at the Hotel Suecia
This hidden cocktail bar is located in the basement of the hotel. You can go there to enjoy a cocktail (even if I didn’t find the quality of them incredible), but you go more for the atmosphere of the place and for the way to get there (a door hidden in the toilets).
Cocktail prices: 15 €
Hotel NH Collection Suecia Calle del Marqués de Casa Riera 4 28014 Madrid
_
Lunch at La Terraza del Casino
This 2-star Michelin Guide restaurant is run by Spanish chef Paco Roncero. It was obviously an incredible culinary experience (one of the rare 2-star restaurants I’ve had the chance to test, by the way…) and I don’t know if I will be able to express it in words… All the senses are engaged during this meal, sometimes to betray us, by the way, because the chef likes to surprise by changing the appearance of certain products or by presenting them in new forms (for me in any case). It’s truly a taste journey that you take during this tasting and a moment out of the ordinary (and which one can obviously only afford on great occasions given the prices of the establishment).
The little bonus: the restaurant is also an opportunity to discover a sublime place, the former Casino of Madrid (hence the name of the establishment), since it is installed on the top floor of the building that formerly housed this institution.
Terraza del Casino
Calle de Alcalá, 15, 28014 Madrid
Prices: menus between 79 € and 185 €_
Thanks to Camille from Tout Un monde and NH Collection for this wonderful welcome in their hotel.
I hope that with all this, I will have made you want to discover Madrid and the NH Collection Gran Via, and if you also have your good addresses and advice for this destination, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan and Thomas Poulet Photos are not royalty-free, photographer authorization mandatory before any use
