Centro, Madrid
Hotel Urban
Modern and art-filled
What it is
An art-focused hideaway in Madrid’s Golden Triangle.
What it isn't
A rote chain hotel (point proven: all 96 rooms feature sculptures made in Papua New Guinea).
What we think
If you’re the type to circumnavigate the globe to see an art installation, this is your hotel: Not only does the 96-room Art Deco-inspired property maintain its own Asian art collection (look for sorcerer’s bags and yam masks by Papuan artisans), it’s also a mere nine-minute walk from the Museo del Prado. All rooms have a contemporary, industrial-chic design; even the most “basic” are fitted with marble bathrooms and iPhone docking stations. The two-story Loft Suite is a Beyoncé-worthy retreat, with soaring windows and a freestanding hydromassage tub. There’s even a museum outpost of the Jordi Clos Archeological Foundation’s collections on-site. The alfresco rooftop pool (complete with waterfalls) is everything you need after a day of rambling Parque del Retiro.
You're here because
You’re an art sponge wanting to soak up as much Velazquez, Goya and Picasso as possible, and you want more contemporary digs than Madrid’s grand hotels offer.
The Moment
It’s see-and-be-seen at the rooftop bar, La Terraza del Urban, where on-point tapas are the only things bringing you back to earth amid so many dreamy-eyed locals (the sexy flickering candlelight isn’t helping).
Restaurants & Bars
Cebo Restaurant - Creative Mediterranean cuisine based on seasonal ingredients
La Terraza Urban - An outdoor venue featuring views of Madrid's skyline
Glass Bar - Cocktails, oysters, champagne, and Japanese tapas
Location
Central Madrid, within the Golden Triangle (i.e. the cultural nucleus formed by the Prado, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Fundación Reina Sofia.)