The most legendary hotel in the Spanish capital, a true landmark of luxury, refinement and sophistication for over a century, has returned to its former glory, shining as brightly as in its heyday with a new and elegant identity, masterfully combining its historical heritage with innovative design.
Located in the heart of Madrid’s Barrio de las Letras neighbourhood, The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid is surrounded by some of the city’s most prestigious cultural institutions, such as the Prado Museum and the Thyssen Bornemisza Museum, as well as the Retiro Park and the Plaza Mayor. This privileged location, which forms part of the Landscape of Light, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, places the hotel at the heart of Madrid’s artistic and cultural heritage.
In the words of Helen Leighton, Vice President of Luxury Brands for Marriott International in Europe, the Middle East and Africa: ‘The Palace has been a landmark in Madrid’s cultural scene for over a hundred years’ and its addition to The Luxury Collection brand has allowed the team to truly incorporate the building’s eclectic history, portrayed throughout the luxurious renovation. The unique charm of The Palace will truly captivate everyone who experiences it.
Architectural renaissance
The restoration of the hotel’s façade has revived its original splendour from 1912, thanks to the meticulous work of Ruiz Larrea Arquitectura. A process that has been extended across its eight thousand square metres, revealing the “Palace colour”, a warm beige that contrasts with the terracotta, revealing floral ornaments and garlands that had not been visible for decades.
The project also included the restoration of the dome, a masterpiece designed in 1912 by Eduardo Ferrés i Puig and executed by the master glassmakers Maumejean. This monumental structure, composed of 1,875 glass panes, has been restored to its former glory thanks to a meticulous process involving more than 100 specialists. The stained glass window was completely dismantled and restored to recover its original colours, and the impressive palm tree-shaped lamp that hung in the hotel lobby has been returned to its original position under the dome, restoring this historic landmark.
A journey to the heart of Madrid
Home to the aristocracy, as well as Spanish royalty and Hollywood celebrities such as the Three Tenors, Ava Gardner, Sofia Loren, Orson Welles, among others, The Palace has always been an innate part of Madrid’s lively social scene. A hub for creative minds and intellectuals, it stimulates the imagination and encourages expression in a refined atmosphere imbued with cordiality and genuine warmth.
The redesign of the interiors of The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid was carried out by the Lázaro Rosa-Violán studio, which has perfectly combined classic luxury with contemporary style. Glamour and sophistication are at the heart of the design, paying homage to the iconic figures who once stayed at the hotel, such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Mata Hari and Ernest Hemingway.
Wool carpets adorned with mythological creatures and optical illusions lead guests into the hotel, framed by custom-made wooden panelling that evokes the feeling of walking through a magical enchanted forest. On the walls, a series of custom-made paintings play with the viewer’s perception, revealing animals or machines depending on the viewing angle and adding an element of surprise and wonder to the experience.
The redesign of the four hundred and seventy rooms and suites, all flooded with natural light, pays homage to classic elegance and the vibrant spirit of Madrid’s past and present. The hand-painted wallpaper inlaid into the wood panelling is inspired by the landscapes of El Retiro Park, while the mosaics in the bathrooms depict an aerial view of the Royal Botanical Gardens. Features such as marble fireplaces, mid-century chandeliers and luxurious fabrics lend the rooms a distinguished, residential feel.
The style and elegance of the interiors are also reflected in the new design of the staff uniforms, created by renowned Spanish designer Juanjo Oliva, adding a touch of contemporary sophistication that fits perfectly with the hotel’s revamped identity.
Long considered the city’s premier venue for special celebrations, the hotel is the location of choice for a wide range of extraordinary events, the preferred option for families, madrileños and the international elite.
In addition, the environment for work or leisure offers a variety of outstanding and inspiring meeting spaces that can accommodate up to six hundred guests for a cocktail reception and four hundred attendees for a conference.
A gastronomic gem
La Cúpula, the gastronomic heart of The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid, stands beneath the iconic glass structure that gives the space its name. This vibrant all-day restaurant and cocktail bar is a meeting place for guests and locals alike.
While retaining its historic character, contemporary elements have been introduced, such as stools upholstered in Castilian leather, selected works of art and custom-made 16th-century tapestries. The menu at La Cúpula combines the hotel’s deep-rooted culinary tradition with a modern approach to timeless recipes. The most outstanding dishes, prepared with the finest ingredients and inspired by the hotel’s former guests, such as Pablo Picasso’s Waldorf salad and Julio Camba’s steak tartare, combine heritage and creativity in every bite.
One of the hotel’s most unique spaces is the former Museo Bar, now renamed 27 Club, in homage to the poets of the Generation of ’27 who frequented it. The cocktail bar retains its reputation as a living museum, telling the story of the hotel through an impressive collection of more than seventy illustrations created by Lázaro Rosa-Violán’s team, based on the hotel’s historical archives. The menu is inspired by classics from the pre-Prohibition and Prohibition eras, reinterpreted with a contemporary approach. Among the favourite drinks are the John Collins 1912, the Whisky Sour 1927, the Old School -a version of the Old Fashioned-, the exotic Caribbean Champagne cocktail and the refined Negroni called “An American in the Prado”.
A new, more sustainable era
Sustainability is an unquestionable value in this new era of the hotel, which is why the building has been adapted for the future while preserving its heritage features. A carbon analysis of the new design was carried out and the original materials were retained as far as possible. By restoring them instead of replacing them, 14% of carbon emissions in public spaces were avoided. 100% of the suppliers used for the renovation of the rooms have an environmental management system or environmental product certification in accordance with Archer’s ESG Framework. 64% of the products were manufactured in Spain, thereby supporting the local economy and reducing carbon emissions. Furniture and equipment in good condition have been reused in third-party projects, giving priority to the hotel’s charitable partners, and newer items were donated to victims of last year’s floods in Valencia. Efficient water and energy consumption solutions have been implemented to reduce consumption. A 26 per cent reduction in annual energy consumption and a 21 per cent reduction in operational carbon emissions are expected compared to the 2019 baseline. Key features include new ventilation, heating and cooling equipment, more efficient sanitary facilities, smart room controls to reduce consumption when guests have left their rooms during the day, efficient lifts and new lighting systems.
The Luxury Collection, the brand to which The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid belongs, is part of Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s global travel programme offering an extraordinary portfolio of more than thirty global brands.
