Madrid is one of the most exciting cities in Europe, with truly spectacular architecture, amazing food, art galleries, and an abundance of green spaces. We were invited to explore Madrid for the weekend with Villa Magna – here’s our highlights.
WHERE TO STAY
_
Home for us was the five star Villa Magna, an urban oasis in the centre of Madrid within the Salamanca district. It’s pretty wow on the inside with an Art Deco edge, mixed with a contrast of wild styles; think marble, lots of it, gold, huge artwork and arty carpets. With 112 rooms, 38 suites and 4 Insignia Suites, the most luxurious in Madrid, we thought if it’s good enough for Justin Bieber, it’s good enough for us. Not that we had the Royal Suite (yes the Biebster stays there from time to time), though we did set foot in there for a quick tour and boy is that how the other half live.
[easy-image-collage id=122997]Besides the HUGE rooms, with everything you could ever want except claiming it as your permanent apartment, there is ample to take advantage of, especially the courtyard space which is draped in greenery and flowers. There’s two restaurants, bar, lounge, alfresco dining, spa, gym and plenty of quirks like art tours, tapas tastings and pop up events inside the hotel to keep you entertained. Double rooms from £276/€350.
Villa Magna, Paseo de la Castellana 22, 28046 Madrid
mythahotels.com/villamagna
WHAT TO DO
_
Blitz your way through the centuries and wonder at one of the
most important private art collections in the world.
Part of the golden triangle of art, the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza holds, without doubt, one of the most important collections in the world and therefore, something not to miss out on. Even those vaguely interested in art cannot help but be impressed by this place. The terracotta-pink walls and giant potted plants are a dreamy backdrop to works from all the greats, Picasso, Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh and far too many more to mention. Mapped out chronologically we were guided through 13th-century works right up to Pop Art, all in a couple of hours. We were lucky enough to gain access behind the scenes and to see first hand how the people working on masterpieces painstakingly restore and repair work. Formally a bank, you maybe be surprised to learn the conversion into becoming a museum didn’t take place until the 90s. The Thyssen is unique in many ways and a place time will simply escape from you.
Paseo de la Castellana, 22, 28046 Madrid, Spain.
museothyssen.org
Unwind at the Mytha Spa
Having undergone a huge refurbishment, the Mytha SPA was something we were dying to experience. Located on the lower ground floor of the Villa Magna, the spa blends osteopathy and aromatherapy and is where eastern meets western wellness traditions. With a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi, and hammam made from Turkish marble, it’s a tranquil hideaway of comfort and relaxation.
We had two treatments, starting with a full body massage which takes place inside the Japanese and scandi style treatment rooms. The whole process was tailored to our personal preference with a guide on how their approach to wellness is embedded in the highest quality products, making us feel truly pampered. The second was a little more specific and is called The Leg School Treatment. This involved four stages in which improves blood circulation and removes water retention. It gets cold, freezing cold with a mud wrap cooling, medicated bandages, cold stone bandages and special cold gel. While our legs felt the chill, we got a head, neck and shoulder massage. It’s a strange sensation, but we loved it.
Villa Magna, Paseo de la Castellana 22, 28046 Madrid
mythahotels.com/villamagna
Exploring the streets of Madrid
[easy-image-collage id=122992]WHERE TO EAT
_
Get on the Dim Sum at the
best Chinese joint in the city
It’s the old world of Hong Kong at Tse Yang Restaurant, with the dark wood interior and white tablecloths housed within hotel Villa Magna, the owners of which have roots in Shanghai. The head chef is from Hong Kong so the menu is big on dim sum but the real star of the show is the Peking duck. We’re told it’s the best Chinese in town, and judging by the midweek lunchtime crowd, that can’t be very far from the truth.
[easy-image-collage id=123002]Villa Magna, Paseo de la Castellana 22, 28046 Madrid
mythahotels.com
Step into the wild side of Amazonico
for cocktails and Asian food with flare
It is a jungle inside Restaurante Amazonico. It is about as mad and fun, as you’d expect with a name like that, and has an interior that will put hairs on your chest. It’s powerful, oozing with personality and brilliant to be at – just pop your head out on the terrace and spot the giant wicker giraffe. The menu is equally exotic with a mix of Asian and Mediterranean dishes. Diving into fresh and tasty ceviche followed by a platter of meat all grilled on the tandoor the food is spot on, bursting with flavours that are bold and exciting. Definitely make room the ice cream too.
Calle Jorge Juan, 20, 28001 Madrid, Spain
restauranteamazonico.com
