Hotel Urban ★★★★★ GL

After a drizzly British spring, my husband and I were very much in need of a Mediterranean getaway; somewhere not too far that would give us that much-needed warmth, sunshine and rich Mediterranean lifestyle – bustling Madrid ticks all the boxes! It’s a European treasure that is not to be missed, full of extraordinary architecture and culture, and staying at Hotel Urban ***** GL is the best way to see it.

In the middle of a district full of 18th-century buildings, Hotel Urban ***** GL stands out with an avant-garde façade of metal and glass. Once inside, we realised that there is much more to it than just contemporary style. With a stunning collection of artworks on display in every corner of the hotel (including its very own Egyptian Museum as well as the bedrooms and public spaces), you are immediately immersed in a unique atmosphere of ethnic-inspired, unconventional luxury.

We made our way to equally superbly-designed room and found antiques and artworks from India, China and Africa sitting alongside contemporary furnishings that combine natural materials with the manmade. The result is spectacular and creates an original and elegant effect.

Ready to unwind and enjoy the sunshine we headed up to the swimming pool. Outside on the terrace, it felt so luxurious to lounge beside the water, enjoying a spectacular view of a city that we had yet to explore. Here, we really began to appreciate our location right in the heart of the capital.

After our poolside relaxation session, we decided to try out the hotel’s other highlights. Very popular with the people of Madrid, Hotel Urban ***** GL is one of the most exclusive locations in the Spanish capital. As we savoured a plate of oysters and a glass of champagne in the glamourous Glass Bar dominated by a Moroccan crystal chandelier, it was easy to see why. The hotel’s Europa Decó restaurant is a setting no less glamorous than the bar, where you are served delicious Mediterranean cuisine with a contemporary twist using local seasonal products.

Completely satisfied and fully in the holiday spirit, our evening ended with a last drink back on the hotel terrace. Looking out over the lights of Madrid, we toasted our excellent holiday to come and talked about all the sights to see that glowed on the horizon.