In a city where luxury hotels are hitting their mark, this hotel is already impressing with its location and service. The Canalejas area has been busy with construction (mostly from the nearby Four Seasons and its underground food hall and elite shopping center). JW Marriott fits right into this high-end neighborhood with its signature, upscale amenities as well as several new features that set the brand apart (for example, coming soon: every JW Marriott in the world will have its own JW Garden).
Madrid has no shortage of top hotels, and JW Marriott has arrived at just the right moment to attract business and leisure travelers. Marriott Bonvoy members will be especially pleased, but here are five reasons why everyone will enjoy a stay to the JW Marriott Madrid.
The Location
In one direction from the entrance, guests need only walk a few minutes to reach the city’s famous Triangle of Art where three of Europe’s most famous art museums (Prado, Thyssen, Reina Sofia) reside. A bit further is the Retiro Park perfect for a jog or paddle boats in the lake.
In the other direction, guests can walk to Gran Via, the city’s version of Broadway with major theaters, shops and restaurants drawing tourists and locals. Puerta del Sol is fresh from a makeover, and just farther down the same street is Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace.
Around the corner from the hotel is the Congreso de los Diputados where the country’s main government meets. This means the area often bustles with politicians, media and other big wigs, and a private board room is the perfect spot for tetes-a-tetes. This is a prime location for business and tourist travelers.
The Food
Qú by Mario Sandoval is the hotel’s main restaurant serving three meals a day focusing on contemporary Iberian cuisine from the celebrity chef. Breakfast is served from an elegant buffet with Spanish ham and cheese sliced to order, and guests can order additional hot dishes from a lengthy menu.
Later in the day, locals clamor for a reservation (remember Spaniards eat dinner late in the evening so Americans often can snag an earlier table). Local business folk pop in for morning coffee in the lobby, after-work cocktails or a business lunch around 2pm.
JW Marriott hotels around the world are adding JW Gardens that grow vegetables, herbs and spices that can be used in the restaurant and cocktail menus.
The Rooms
Arguably the most important part of a hotel stay are the accommodations. Just one year old, these are looking quite impressive. They focus on beige and cream colors that look sleek and modern. It’s easy to see that they will age well. Some hotels try to be too modern or traditional, and over time, they lose their mojo.
This historic building was redesigned to be a hotel, and this led to numerous room and suite categories. The entry-level categories face the interior courtyard of the building. The rest of the rooms look outward to the neighboring street and neighborhood. Premium Deluxe rooms tend to be larger and like the Deluxe units, they have French balconies. Corner Deluxe rooms are favorites for their dual vistas and more spacious sitting areas.
The favorites are the Deluxe and Premium Deluxe rooms with an outdoor terrace with sofa, table and chairs for relaxing outdoors. Numerous suite categories range from Junior models with ensuite sitting areas to prized suites facing the Old Town and Puerta Del Sol’s rooftops.
Rooms also have stereos with ambient noise or can play TV-based meditations. Yoga mats are available to use in the room, too. Bathrooms come with some of the most powerful showers in the city and stock Aromatherapy Associates toiletries in large pump bottles.
The Service
What really makes a difference here is the way special requests are handled with care. The staff seems to know what and when you need it. During my visit, they had discovered my love for popcorn. Two bowls were waiting for me when I arrived. During turndown service, the housekeeping staff arrived with a smile replenishing bottled water. They also brought cute chocolates and house-made cookies plus other special treats like art-focused postcards. I really liked the time the hotel put into creating small guidebooks about the building’s history as a perfume factory.
Below the main level, an expansive fitness area has the latest equipment. A day spa provides massage and beauty treatments. Fully stocked with towels, water and refreshments, attention to detail is notable. This is also repeated by the elevator bank where typical candy from Madrid, fresh fruit, bottled water and other refreshments are complimentary for guests.
The Marriott Bonvoy perks
This hotel really leans into personal service to make travelers feel at home, especially Marriott Bonvoy members. They can earn and redeem points during their stay plus enjoy elite status benefits. Frequent travelers know that Marriott offers plentiful benefits. Those with top-tier Titanium Elite and Ambassador Elite membership earn the most.
These include getting upgrades to more spacious rooms (like those with balconies or terraces). Al fresco patios are not a common hotel amenity, and elite members will appreciate them. They are also treated to perks like complimentary breakfast and late checkout considerations. The Spanish capital has a wide range of Marriott brands. This is one of its newest and primed to compete at the top tier of city hotels.
