Explore the sunny Spanish capital from the luxurious InterContinental Madrid
Madrid is an excellent destination for a city break. The architecture is stunning and it is packed with delicious tapas bars and restaurants. The Spanish capital is extremely vibrant and it also boasts excellent shopping.
I flew in for a weekend away and found it a very convenient place to visit for such a short time. I travelled on a Friday evening and arrived in the airport at approximately 9pm local time. Within half an hour I found myself at the luxurious InterContinental Hotel thanks to an efficient transfer.
The hotel has a VIP lifestyle offering and guests have the opportunity to enjoy a premium check in experience. This means you can enjoy a welcome aperitif on arrival in a dedicated private lounge, which is the perfect way to unwind after negotiating busy airports.
The Spanish tend to dine much later than the Brits. So, sitting down to begin a meal at 10pm seemed the norm for most other guests who were booked to eat at the famous El Jardín restaurant within the InterContinental Madrid. The terraced garden area is an oasis in the city. This civilised outdoor area allows you to make the most of the balmy evenings while enjoying an exquisite menu that has been prepared by the chef. Croquettes, seafood and exceptional venison were served along with some fabulous local white and red wines, which were designed to match each course.
The hotel offers a luxury experience throughout and many of the suites have private balcony areas that provide impressive views of the restaurant below. The décor is upmarket and the suites are very spacious, which means you can enjoy plenty of rest and relaxation in the privacy of your own room.
The InterContinental Madrid is located in a quiet area of the city, which means there is no noise disturbance from the busy streets but it is also walking distance to the centre. Much of the city is flat, which means you can cover a lot of it by foot. I walked everywhere and managed to clock up more than a few miles.
The city is a maze of beautiful streets and you could spend hours weaving in and out of the quaint roads. The Ópera district is particularly beautiful. The cathedral and Royal Palace are both within this area and are spectacular buildings. There are pretty gardens next to the palace are also plenty of chic wine bars if you stroll up the gentle incline back towards the opera district. Here you can enjoy a wide range of Spanish vintages and local food.
Mercado San Miguel is an amazing food market that you must visit. It is packed throughout the day and also very busy at night. Stalls serve some of the best local food with wine tastings and sherry bars also popular. The atmosphere is fantastic but this is a standing street market so you shouldn’t expect to find a seat easily and there certainly aren’t any white tablecloths! There are plenty of fun, lively bars to enjoy come darkness and this city has an energetic vibe at night, which is infectious.
After spending some time exploring the city the hotel beckons and you can enjoy some proper rest and relaxation in the spa. While this property does not have a swimming pool, it does offer spa facilities with a sauna and a number of treatment rooms available. Guests can choose from massages, facials or body wrap experiences.
As part of the VIP experience at the Intercontinental Madrid there is an exclusive bar where you can enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks throughout your stay. This is the perfect place to wait for your taxi to the airport and gives you the opportunity to reflect on a whirlwind weekend in one of Europe’s best capital cities.
With a long, warm autumn and early spring heat, Madrid is the ideal getaway for those seeking to extend the summer or those looking to enjoy some sunshine early on in the year. Needless to say, this is an excellent destination to explore if you enjoy tapas and Spanish wine.
The InterContinental Madrid is an ideal choice for couples or a group of friends wanting to relax in elegant surroundings whilst also enjoying a fun and lively city. It is well positioned for exploring the social and cultural life of Madrid.
This is an excellent option for a city break and there is a really vibrant atmosphere throughout the year. We thoroughly recommend including it in your future travel plans and immersing yourself in the #InterContinentialLife.
Take a look at our visit to Madrid on Sloaney TV for a little preview of the city…
*LOOKING BACK*
Don’t forget to take a look at our social snapshots from
Intercontinental Madrid on Twitter and Instagram
Book at stay at the Intercontinental Madrid by calling 0871 423 4949 or visiting the website. Don’t forget to upgrade your stay to enjoy the best luxury service and facilities at the hotel. There are also very good flight timings from Bristol Airport. Bristol Airport also offers convenient parking and you can book here.