Checking In: Reviewing the Hotel Urban 5*GL in Madrid, Spain
It’s all about location, location, location. The Hotel Urban 5*GL in Madrid is sitting in the center of it all, with high-end and high-street boutiques all within a short stroll, and some more hipster-neighborhood-feel kind of shops within steps of the hotel.
Located in the most darling neighborhoods in Madrid, Barrios de las Letras, it also accompanies the financial, political, cultural and commercial center of Madrid. Visitors are steps away from the city’s Golden Triangle of world-class museums: Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Fundación Reina Sofia, and not to mention Paseo del Prado, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor, and the Retiro Park.
Madrid is a bustling city and with a room at Hotel Urban, it’s possible to soak up so much of the passionate Spanish spirit whilst having the option to retreat to the modern and sleek Derby Hotels Collection property here in Madrid.
The Urban Hotel is precisely what a five-star hotel should be, where not one detail is left undone.
Checking Into the Suite Life
Upon arriving at the Madrid airport, I collected my bags and headed straight to my Uber. For a trip to the hotel, you can expect to pay around 28-38 € for the 15-25 minute journey.
When my Uber stopped out the front of the Urban Hotel, I could instantly see that I was right in the center of it all in Barrio de las Letras and a quick stroll to Puerta Del Sol – perfect for any length of stay. Checking in early was overlooked by the reception staff, as they promptly took care of my arrival and had my bags waiting for me in my room before I had been escorted up to the room by the reception staff.
The Urban Hotel Experience
The property features all that is to be expected of Derby Hotels Collection – boasting 96 designer rooms and suites, meeting rooms, venues for special events, outdoor swimming pool (only in summer season), solarium, gym, and sauna.
Derby Hotels Collection properties are renowned for their commitment to guests’ experiences, with complimentary welcome drink and chocolates on arrival, daily mineral water in your room, and turn down service in the evening.
Forget the traditional notions of a hotel — This art-deco themed hotel brings a lot of charm and a twist of glamour. Guests at Hotel Urban can enjoy unique art pieces of great historical value, hiding around every corner, on display in both the hotel’s Papua New Guinea Museum and in each of its rooms and common spaces perfect for guests who shy away from the conventional in an avant-garde building.
Course 1 of a 12-course lunch at Glass Mar
Eat Well
And, as if that wasn’t enough, it is also home to CEBO a Micheline-starred restaurant with a central focus on season fare; and Ángel León's Glass Mar, a seafood restaurant that will excite your senses in every regard. Breakfast inside CEBO was a modern and twist on traditional Spanish breakfast and a continental buffet, with fresh-pressed green juice and all. I was fortunate enough to dine as a guest at Glass Mar thanks to my well connected and dear friend Diego Cabrera of Salmon Guru. (A full review of this experience to follow.)
THE ROOM
Once inside my room, I was delighted to see the usual luxury hotel amenities, high-quality technology in the room, a king-size bed with a variety of plush pillows -- all create an atmosphere where stress is left behind as soon as you walk right into your room.
The bathroom was a generous size with a luxurious oversized bathtub, undoubtedly the highlight of the room, along with a walk-in shower. Be sure to take note of your view when booking a room, as the views over the courtyard weren’t particularly attractive in the sense a city view and limited the sunlight in the room, but great if you'd like peace and quiet.
This was all-in-all an incredible experience, fit for even the most discerning traveler.
Urban Hotel Madrid, $202 - $396 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room); www.hotelurban.com
Live The Little Things was a guest of the Urban Hotel Madrid; as always, all opinions are my own.
