© EDITION / Photography: Nikolas Koenig

Compared to London, Paris, Rome, and even Berlin, Madrid has, quite strangely, long been underrated as a major European capital where to immerse oneself in the good life. The Spanish capital actually has it all—great architecture, top museums, great restaurants, and last but not least, it’s awash with places where to shop til you drop. Now that the restrictions of the global pandemic have disappeared for most travellers, Madrid is catching up fast to  claim its rightful place in the ranks of the Old Continent‘s must-see lifestyle hubs. The recent arrival of The Madrid EDITION, the design-led luxury hotel chain of legendary hospitality guru Ian Schrager, not only adds to the city’s growing pizzazz, but also fills a gap in the top segment. Occupying the former head office of local bank Caja Monte de Piedad in the very heart of the city, only a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of Plaza Mayor‘s bars and restaurants, the ornate façades of the Royal Palace, and the many theatres alongside Gran Via, the property features 200 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, in addition to a number of alluring facilities.

The design of The Madrid EDITION is a collaborative effort of New York City-based Ian Schrager Company, architect and designer John Pawson from London, and French architect François Champsaur. The original building is clean and modern, but is adorned by a salvaged ornate Baroque portal by architect Pedro de Ribera (1681-1742). Inside, contemporary design reigns supreme as the grand spiral staircase in the lobby area boldly demonstrates. The guest rooms and suites ooze understated luxury and are fitted out with king beds with headboards that reference the aforementioned Baroque entrance. Needless to say, all rooms and suites meet the all the requirements of today’s savvy traveller with a penchant for self-pampering, and come with nifty hi-tech amenities such as high-speed WiFi, a 55-inch flat screen HDTV, and a Bang & Olufsen Beoplay bluetooth speaker, in addition to a full-fledged marble bathroom with an enclosed rainforest walk-in shower, robe and slippers, and custom Le Labo amenities.

Some of the rooms and suites have multiple connecting units, for groups of friends and families, and a selection of rooms have private terraces. An urge to splurge? At 289 sqm. (3,110 sqm.), the Opera Penthouse Suite is the right place to live large on more than one level. Perched on the top floor, it comes with panoramic views of the city, and as its name already implies, the opera house is one of the many landmarks in sight. The suite includes a separate living area, dining room and kitchenette with separate service entrance. Indeed, The Madrid EDITION is shaking up Madrid‘s hospitality scene, and does so with more than luxurious lodgings. The swanky lobby bar, furnished with Jean-Michel Frank sofas and armchairs, recycled bronze stools from Maison Intègre, rope-covered chairs by artist and designer Christian Astuguevieille, and a white marble pool table, effortlessly seduces the city’s movers and shakers.

Jerónimo, one of the hotel’s two dining spots, is a multi-layered space with an explosion of colours featuring four distinct areas that seamlessly blend in with each other, featuring an elegant double-height dining room distinguished by carved dark oak wall panels, which also take cues from the baroque portal outside, and two alabaster and plaster pendant lights by French designer Emmanuel Levet Stenne. The lounge area below sees a long green marble bar and simple white oak floors featuring original art and elements bathed in saturated luminescent Yves Klein-inspired blues, followed by a more casual space with limestone floors, black and white marble tables and a background of  hot pink, bold magenta and bright orange colours with lots of greenery. The restaurant is headed by Enrique Olvera and Santiago Pérez, the duo behind a string of top restaurants, such as Mexico City’s Pujol, Cosme in New York City and Damian in Los Angeles, and offers a menu which reflects the cultural ties between Spain and Mexico.

A perfect place for the wee little hours, the Punch Room is an intimate space with a copper bar set against a backdrop of dark oak wall panels, a basalt stone fireplace, Jean-Michel Frank armchairs, and handwoven wool rugs. Last but not least, there’s Oroya, a buzzing rooftop dining establishment featuring a greenhouse-like setting framed by a steel cage with glass panels and covered in lush climbing plants. Helmed by Peruvian chef Diego Muñoz, the tapas menu lists sharing plates that tell the story of Peru’s cultural history with influences from Spain, Italy, Africa, China and Japan, paired with Pisco-led cocktails and select wines. Later this year, an alluring night haunt will open on the lower ground floor, which aims to pull a discerning party crowd from across town with a matching lavish setting. And to balance out all that good life, the same floor conveniently accommodates a fully-equipped gym and spa with five treatment rooms.

The Madrid EDITION
Plaza de Celenque 2 (Centro)
28013 Madrid
Telephone: +34 91 9545420

© EDITION / Photography: Nikolas Koenig