The Stylish Madrid EDITION Blends Elegance and Fun for Locals, Too

I’m lounging in the second-floor Lobby Bar of the Madrid EDITION, sipping on a glass of White Rioja while sinking slowly into an ivory-coloured fabric accent chair with an oversized pillow that resembles a cloud in looks and softness caressing my spine. The seats at the bar are full, the other lounge chairs are occupied. With that many people there’s a din, but the high ceiling and acoustics in the design make it feel boisterous not aggravatingly noisy. The long, attractive room feels comfortable and convivial. It has the feel of a house party, not a club. Except for the lineup to get in.

It’s that queue that makes me realize the Madrid EDITION is not your typical hotel. In the vibrant heart of the Spanish capital, the property was transformed from a former bank headquarters into one of the most celebrated hotels to open in Madrid this decade. Debuting in 2023, the EDITION earned accolades immediately from the tourism industry. While travellers come and go, the buzz has clearly proliferated thanks to the locals. During my three-night stay in February, the Lobby Bar and adjacent speakeasy, Punch Room, were bouncing with chicness and youthful energy from Madrid citizens who arrived and waited their turn to venture into the trend-setting space.

Designed by Ian Schrager and John Pawson, the sleek 200-room hotel is about as on the mark with hipness as you can find. It’s especially fitting for Madrid, which is in the midst of a star turn, a city gaining more and more adoration from visitors because of its history of culture that blends with its contemporary vibe and increasingly important reputation as a hub for business and tourism. It has a better reputation than Barcelona for being welcoming and is also less pricey. Not that the EDITION’s typical guests are concerned about the credit-card charges they rack up.

The Lobby Bar is fun and classic. It’s in the Punch Room where the EDITION shines as a standout venue. Bar Manager Matteo Bernardo has developed a cocktail menu that reimagines the punch-bowl drinks of centuries ago and does it with playfulness and top-class service.

The Punch Room, first opened at the London EDITION, is a speakeasy-style bar with antique and modern concoctions, served in ornate glassware that are showpieces in themselves. Enjoy these punches or a classic cocktail, along with tasty bites like Anchoa de Santoña (anchovies with mayonnaise). Like the Lobby Bar, it is a room for locals and travellers.

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“The in-house guest is the most important person, of course, but we are part of the community and we want them to know they are welcome here,” Bernardo says. “We promote an urban lifestyle and a lot of activations have to do with cultural programs that are part of life in Madrid.”

The punch menu features illustrations of Madrid’s citizen archetypes: a DJ, a jogger, a social-media influencer are among them. While the stylish printing is fashionable, the drinks lean on classic techniques and ingredients, delivering familiar flavours with elegance. It’s a hallmark of the Madrid landmark that extends to its restaurants, Scarpetta and Oroya and the Roof. Chef Enrique Olvera of Mexico’s famed Pujol has created a crowd-pleasing menu focused on two of the world’s most popular cuisines. Scarpetta serves Italian flavours while Oroya specializes in Peruvian dishes, such as ceviche. Both enjoy an outstanding wine list from well-known brands and boutique providers from Spain’s many viticulture regions.

From an experience perspective, the hotel is a showcase of the EDITION brand: modern, white decor; spacious rooms; top-of-the-line amenities; exceptional cocktail bars and restaurants. It has a stunning spiral staircase that leads from the check-in desk at street level up to the lobby, where the two bars and Scarpetta are located. Surrounding it are beautiful streets filled with boutiques, galleries, shopping malls, and more bars and restaurants. Plaza Mayor and its historic courtyard, now filled with al fresco dining spots, is a five-minute walk away and Puerta del Sol, another iconic city square, is just a few blocks from there. Soccer fans will be happy to know that an official Real Madrid store is just steps away from the hotel while the Bernabéu Stadium, where superstar Kylian Mbappé — starring in the World Cup for France — leads the La Liga team, is easily accessed through a 20-minute ride on the nearby C4 line of the Cercanías Madrid train network.

The hotel is both an oasis and a vibrant home base for exploring one of Europe’s most desirable cities. Its welcoming ambience also makes it a place where Madrid comes to you. As the popular truism in the travel and hospitality industry says: If it’s good for locals, it will be even better for visitors. In Madrid, the EDITION proves that point.

Highlight Attractions in Madrid

Cocktails: Salmon Guru is the original 21st-century cocktail bar that has influenced others in the city. It is funky, silly, and quality. Cocktail lovers from around the world arrive at Salmon Guru to sample the drinks menu and experience the fun-loving atmosphere that includes comic book-style art on the walls, cheeky jokes, and good company.

Claiming to have the “Best Negroni in Town”, Salmon Guru doesn’t disappoint. The presentation of the cocktail will win you over before you’ve had a sip. Arriving in a flask on ice, the drink is poured out slow into a coupe, which you refill with what’s left in the silver container. It’s a clever twist on a drink that is adored by cocktail lovers.

Museo Reina Sofia: I waited decades to see “Guernica”, Picasso’s raw, void-of-colour depiction of war and its brutal ramifications. Stark with bleakness, you can’t help but ruminate on its myriad symbols and meanings. Housed in the Museo Reina Sofia, “Guernica” is the showpiece in a magnificent collection that includes dozens of other Picasso paintings and sculptures, as well as works from Spanish masters such as Salvador Dali and Joan Miro. The museum has select free admission hours each day it is open (it’s closed only on Tuesdays).

It’s a highlight of Madrid, a city worthy of its enduring reputation as one of the world’s great capitals. Big, vibrant, safe, artsy, historic, and attractive, it alone will make you want to plan your next trip to Spain.

 

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Note: Vacay.ca occasionally features content from outside of Canada that our editors believe will be of interest to readers. In this article, Managing Editor Adrian Brijbassi ventures to Madrid, a city that is increasingly popular with Canadians. Marriott Hotels provided a media rate for his hotel stay. No organization reviewed the article before it was published.