During the Covid pandemic, this hotel closed for a total overhaul to modernize and uplift its facilities. The result: a dramatic and elegant hotel that now belongs to Rosewood. Many would argue this is in the city’s top three hotels. Especially appealing for business travelers as well as high-end shoppers (the Serrano neighborhood is nearby), this hotel appeals to a wide audience. Shoppers won’t have to walk far since the hotel also has a direct entrance to the well-known Spanish department store El Corte Ingles. No matter what reason you’re in town for, here are five of the top reasons to visit Rosewood Villa Magna Madrid.
The dining
These are not your average restaurants. The hotel’s dining options are an ode to all things Spanish. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in Las Brasas de Castellana. Part buffet, part a la carte, the breakfast is exceptional and extensive. Later in the day, the menu continues its Spanish style serving everything from sizzling steaks to regional preparations of iconic dishes.
Flor y Nata is the hotel’s pastry shop with all kinds of sweet treats available for guests. Locals stop in regularly to buy take-away snacks. The lobby bar and lounge serves light meals, but there is also the evening-only Tarde.O Bar serving craft cocktails and Spanish tapas. It has both indoor and al fresco seating.
Chef Jesús Sánchez heads up Amós, a fine-dining restaurant serving cuisine from northern Spain, more specifically from Cantabria. His family recipes make up the menu, and the presentation and service are Michelin level. The wine-paired tasting menu is exquisite, especially at dinner. But it’s the ability for local business folk to dine on an executive selection that keeps reservations full at lunch. Save room for the cheese course at the end of the meal.
The rooms
Beautifully designed with soft colors and fabrics, these residential spaces are both spacious and elegant. Views range from the active Paseo de la Castellana (don’t worry, the rooms are soundproofed) or the office buildings behind the hotel. Italian linens grace the oversized beds with starched duvets and massive pillows that erase any traces of jet lag. Bedside power outlets, twistable reading lights, small makeup tables and enormous walking closets are among the many conveniences here.
Rooms range in size with the option for two-room junior suites and even larger “houses” or enormous suites on the top floor. The latter two accommodations are the only ones in the city to offer 360-degree views. They are also among the largest suites in Madrid. One has a stunning terrace with barbecue, sitting area and retractable roof. Both of these draw some of the city’s biggest diplomats, celebrities and well-heeled families.
All accommodations come with lavish marble bathrooms stocked with French toiletries, rain-drenching showers and (or) soaking tubs. Interesting art hangs above the beds and in the hallways. Special touches come in the little extras like Madrid-themed postcards, small bottles of hand sanitizer and souvenir bookmarks left during turndown service. The hotel bottles its own still and sparkling water, and guests receive as much of it as they like.
The art and design
What may at first seem to be a boxy, business-like exterior changes immediately once inside. The hotel is as polished and fashionable as you’ll find in Madrid. It begins with the fountain-lined driveway in front of the hotel, a feature all other luxury hotels in town lack. Door staff stand at the ready to help with bags and assist guests as they come and go.
More subdued than other hotels, this property demonstrates an energy that is modern while respecting the past. Take a look at the beautiful, bespoke piece that sits behind the reception desk for the perfect example. Farther inside, by the elevators, is a stained glass wall that rises from the bottom floor to the top. This vintage work seems to change colors throughout the day as the natural light hits it. You can even see it from the exterior of the building.
Inside, a fireplace sets the mood in the enormous lounge where beautifully dressed locals intermingle with guests. This is the place to see and be seen in Madrid, and many business meetings take place here. The public areas were meant to look like a residence with cozy sitting areas, and large windows that look to the interior patio. Dramatic floral arrangements fill the public areas, and all of the art was curated by a local gallery.
The activities
This hotel has an Asian-inspired spa on the bottom floor with numerous treatment rooms, relaxation areas, a whirlpool and one of the city’s only hotel hammams. The fitness center, open 24 hours, has all of the latest equipment as well as fresh fruit, bottled water and high-end ear buds to use while working out. On a nice day, a jog along the Paseo de la Castellana can be just as entertaining. During the winter months, the hotel has added an ice skating rink, open to the public, in the courtyard.
The staff
Luxury hotels would be nothing without a doting staff, and Rosewood Villa Magna has that and more. From housekeepers that ask how you’re doing in the hallway to doormen that go the extra mile, guests here will fee at home. In the restaurants (especially at breakfast), don’t be surprised to see staff remembering guest names and personal preferences. This hotel is both formal and informal at the same time.
Even in the meeting areas, the staff pays close attention to the details. Some of the meeting facilities have show kitchens where people can prepare meals with others in their group or have a refreshment. It’s a new style that makes meetings feel less formal and more like a home gathering. And that’s what Rosewood Villa Magna does exceptionally well everywhere in the hotel.
