by Tami Kurian

Villa Magna Hotel

Madrid is truly a bustling city with sights and sounds that beckon the tourist to wander. With many activities for every visitor and tastes for every palette, the city is the perfect destination for a European getaway.

If you take a trip to this fascinating city, do yourself a favor and book a stay at the enchanting Hotel Villa Magna. Following a complete renovation, Madrid’s award-winning Hotel Villa Magna is more luxurious than ever. This hotel is designed to impress. Villa Magna is a classic, elegant hotel with the very highest of modern five star facilities, service, and dining. They completely understand the essence of service. From the reception and concierge to the restaurant and bar, everyone is exceedingly helpful. The rooms are surprisingly spacious and modern with a comfort of home found in the sleek design and muted tones.

The hotel also happens to be located in an excellent part of town for shopping, historical monuments and architecture, world-famous museums, designer boutiques and gastronomic delights. You won’t have to travel far for some of the best gastronomical restaurants from classic plates with a touch of the 21st century in the Restaurant Villa Magna to authentic Cantonese cuisine in Restaurant Tse Yang found right in the lobby of the hotel. Both restaurants provide a relaxed and sophisticated environment for taking in your surroundings or enjoying some cocktails with friends on the terrace.

If you want to venture out for dining, Villa Magna is ideally located in the sophisticated Salamanca neighborhood, making it easy to explore the city’s many gastronomical delights. For a fine dining evening, La Terraza del Casino, a two-star Michelin restaurant, will delight and satisfy all of your senses. From the beauty and simplicity of the all-white décor, to the inventive design of the fine fare, and the attention to detail from the staff, they ensure that every visitor will have an experience that will tickle all the senses.

For a more relaxed evening on the town, join Argentinean bartender Diego Cabrera at Le Cabrera cocktail lounge and gastro pub. He will provide you with surprisingly inventive and creative cocktails. With the food as exciting as the cocktails, you will not only want to return to his restaurant, but you also will want to check out Cabrera’s second location, Casa de America.

In addition to all the fabulous night spots, there are just as many incredible places to lunch around Madrid, such as La Cocina de San Anton. This city market offers a variety of fresh foods, perfect for those that like to buy a little bit of everything, or enjoy lunch at their indoor/outdoor restaurant on the upper terrace. It’s perfect for a glass of wine, small bites, and people watching.

New to Madrid, but already a favorite, is Poncelet Cheese Bar. If you are a cheese lover, you will find your nirvana as this place is all cheese. With a beautiful vertical garden wall, friendly and helpful staff, and clean design, you are going to wish there were more cheese bars like Poncelet.

After taking in the sites around Madrid, such as Paseo del Arte, CentroCentro, Madrid Rio, The Prado Museum, and the Reina Sophia, it’s time to explore the local shopping. A short walk from Hotel Villa Magna, you will find yourself in the Salamanca neighborhood, filled with boutiques from the best Spanish designers and stunning accessory stores.

Starting at Loewe, you can find the perfect handbags and accessories made from the best leather in the world. For a collection of young designers and unique looks, visit Speed & Baicon. If your style is more sophisticated, ready to wear, and retro with feminine lines, visit Alma Aguilar for true elegance and style. For a store with a true New York twist and magnificent interior loft design, visit Maguen for lines dedicated to bohemian, informal, modern,
and classic styles.