The new hedonistic luxury of Madrid

A Londoner Travels

An intoxicating new hotel brand has thrown open its doors in one of Madrid’s most exclusive quarters.

The latest offering from Palladium Hotel Group, BLESS Collection Hotels welcomed its first outpost, BLESS Hotel Madrid, in January. Located on Calle de Velázquez, in the heart of the Barrio de Salamanca district, the hotel offers guests a slice of decadent luxury and cosy indulgence, the backbone of the collection’s unique brand proposition, Hedonist Luxury; in their own words, “we open our doors to a temple for those who love life.”

From the front door fringed with palm fronds, through the sumptuously scented Versus Lounge to the design-laden reception space, all the way to your bedding hand-selected from the curated menu, every step through the property is a treat on the senses. The111 rooms are bright, quiet and subtly sophisticated, decorated in colours and materials to transport you to 19th century Madrid. Our Studio Suite featured a sumptuous velvet headboard, perfectly chosen gold and leather accent accessories, opulent parquet flooring and an elegant wooden dressing room. The piéce de resistance was the 1920s bathtub, resplendent in front of windows overlooking the aristocratic Calle de Velázquez below. It was quite possibly the most beautiful hotel room I’ve ever had the pleasure of occupying.

As if the super king bed wasn’t enough to guarantee a peaceful night’s slumber, guests can indulge of of BLESS Collection’s unique guest experiences, BLESSBED, allowing you to personalise your sleep through a menu of pillows and bed linen. Whether your preference is a goose feather or latex pillow, 450 thread Egyptian cotton, linen or silk, your wish is their command. It’s just one of the exclusive sensory experiences on offer to ensure your stay is beyond the best, including BATHOLOGY, whereby a personal butler will guide you through an exclusive bathing experience, selecting your daily choice of soaps and bath salts based on your mood and requirements. Oh to have such luxuries at home.

The hotel clearly has guest experience at the forefront of every little decision. The decor throughout is stunning, yet no more so than the ground floor. The property’s interiors have been created by renowned Spanish designer and architect Lázaro Rosa-Violan, whose vision is to create a quintessentially Madrilenian character with a contemporary slant. The ground floor bar, reception space and surrounding seating areas may seat dozens, but with clever furniture arrangement, subtle use of lighting and plants, they manage to feel cosy and intimate rather than busy. Be prepared to suffer some serious interiors envy, this is prime Pinterest fodder.

The Versus Lively Lounge is open from 9am for guests to enjoy an exquisite breakfast, and all the way through until vermouth hour and beyond (you’ll want to tap up the bartenders when you see the cocktail menu) and for late night antics, head down to the basement to discover the Clandestine Bar, Fetén, home to its very own retro-styled bowling alley, open until a dangerously enticing 3am. Rest assured however that if you do end up seduced by a late night bowl, recovery is more than possible the morning after in the subterranean spa, with its jacuzzi, sauna and steam room, set alongside a fitness room should you feel the need to work off the hearty breakfasts. It’s perfectly possible to spend your entire trip within the confines of the hotel and not get bored, particularly once the summer months arrive and the stunning rooftop pool opens up.

BLESS Hotel Madrid’s flagship restaurant, ETXEKO, is overseen by one of the world’s most prestigious chefs is set to become a true destination culinary experience. Holder of eight Michelin stars (more than any other Spanish chef), Martin Berasategui’s eponymous restaurant has been voted “the best restaurant in the world” and now he will act as the hotel’s gastronomic guru overseeing all the hotel’s food and beverage, with the star being his signature restaurant, Etxeco, set to become a true destination culinary experience. While we didn’t try dinner at the hotel, the breakfast offering was similarly sublime, with a classic continental spread along with freshly made dishes from Spanish omelette to shakshuka and pancakes.

With a second property set to open in Ibiza this summer and more planned for some of the world’s most important capitals and prime coastal locations, this brand of hedonistic luxury is one you’re going to want to visit.

Prices for BLESS Madrid start from £328 per room, based on a deluxe room, room only.

www.blesscollectionhotels.com

Posted Date
Jun 9, 2019 in A Londoner Travels by A Londoner Travels