Luxury Stays and Getaways: The Principal Madrid
The Principal Madrid is luxury property nestled in the heart of Madrid, offering an oasis of calm and elegance. The 5-star locale, owned by Único Hotels, is situated in Madrid’s stylish hub, Salamanca, with streets lined with the city’s most exclusive stores.
The Principal Madrid makes disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of the city easy with glamorous accommodations, relaxing spa and beauty treatments, yoga, and fine cuisine. We take a closer look at what to expect when staying at The Principal Madrid and share top insider tips from Silvia de Blas, Director of Sales and Marketing at The Principal Madrid, to help you get the most out of a visit:
Top tips to get the most out of a luxury getaway at The Principal Madrid:
Ático Restaurant Principal Madrid Lobby at The Principal Madrid
Why you’ll love it:
The Principal is a luxury space where guests will feel at home while still enjoying the essence of the city and exploring it like a true local. The hotel is situated in a prime location at the start of Gran Vía, an iconic area in Madrid where you’ll find historic architecture, one of the most visited national museums in the world, art galleries, beautiful parks, world-class restaurants, and a luxurious shopping scene.
The hotel is a quiet and relaxing retreat with a spectacular 360- view of Madrid’s Gran Via that can be enjoyed from the hotel’s rooftop Terrace.
Suite at The Principal Madrid
Accommodations and amenities:
The Hotel opened its doors in 2015 as the first 5-star property located in Gran Vía. The 1917 building features 76 elegant bedrooms and suites with views overlooking Madrid. Many of the elements of this historic building can’t be altered, and because of the careful preservation of the original architectural details, the hotel's design retains all of the glitz and glamor of a bygone era.
Among its amenities guests can enjoy three dining options, a rooftop terrace, a spa and fitness center.
Dining:
Guests will find three unique dining options at The Principal. On the 6th floor, they can discover exceptional cuisine at the award-winning Ático Restaurant, led by the prestigious two-Michelin-starred chef Ramón Freixa. Ático delivers an informal approach with a casual and spontaneous menu that doesn’t sacrifice authenticity. The restaurant is a recipient of a Sol Repsol award where visitors can indulge in elegant gastronomy that is simple yet sophisticated.
The restaurant is constantly updating its menu with seasonal and holiday offerings. For example, this year’s 6-course holiday menu includes delicacies such as slow roasted and stewed veal rib for Christmas Eve, turbot fish with truffle cream sauce and brown butter for New Year’s Eve, and an assortment of traditional holiday sweets.
At La Terraza, the hotel’s rooftop garden, travelers can sip on crafted cocktails by renowned in-house mixologist Manel Vehi and at La Pérgola, another gem on the terrace, they can dine among spectacular views while enjoying cocktails or sushi al fresco.
Spa and wellness experiences:
The hotel features a wellbeing area to relax after exploring the city. Guests indulge in a wide range of massages and beauty treatments using products from the exclusive Natura Bissé brand, as well as the Comfort Zone products, which use 100% natural and sustainable ingredients.
The Principal’s Terrace also offers free yoga classes to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. On the second floor, guests will find the fitness room, which is outfitted with cutting-edge machines.
Views from La Terraza at The Principal Madrid
Insider’s tips:
The Principal’s rooftop terrace “La Terraza” is a unique urban garden and offers one of the only 360° views of Gran Vía in Madrid. The terrace is situated between plants, olive trees and cypresses and is an ideal retreat to enjoy a cocktail or Spanish “tapas” after exploring the city. In the warmer months, visitors at La Terraza can also enjoy the Sunset DJ sessions in the heart of Madrid during the Summer.
Enjoy a perfect day with yoga on the terrace, followed by delicious cocktails created by The Principal’s professional mixologist.
La Terraza
Top attractions to visit nearby:
One of the best things about The Principal is its prime location. The hotel is centric to many of Madrid’s major attractions, including luxury shopping centers, restaurants, museums and art galleries. A few recommendations include:
Parque del Retiro
Mercado de San Miguel: Experience Spanish gastronomy condensed into 30 market stalls, offering some of the best tapas in the city in a bustling atmosphere.
Galerías Canalejas: In the Las Salesas neighborhood, where the Gran Vía meets The Principal, visitors can explore the shops and ateliers of independent designers located in the Galería Canalejas. Luxury stores and sophisticated restaurants converge in over three floors of a historic and elegant building.
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza: This art museum, located by Madrid’s famous Prado Museum, offers an exquisite tour covering seven centuries of painting history, as well as always-interesting temporary exhibitions.
Mercado de San Antón: Located in the heart of the Chueca district, this cultural space is a place for concerts and exhibitions, as well as the market, and features a variety of restaurants set within a huge central courtyard with a glazed vault.
Teatro Real: One of the best programs of traditional and contemporary lyrical art in a landmark European cultural institution.
Parque del Retiro: This iconic park is considered the lungs of the city, a green space with numerous architectural highlights, art galleries, sculptures and landscapes perfect for a romantic picnic, exploring, running or taking a stroll.
For more recommendations, check out The Principal Madrid’s full guide to things to do in Madrid.
When to visit:
Madrid is a wonderful city to visit year-round depending on what travelers are looking for, whether this be Christmas lights in the city and a spectacular holiday meal, the fall colors, or Spring in the Spanish capital.
[Images courtesy of the Principal Madrid]