Exploring Madrid’s magic from a base within the Golden Triangle of Art

Madrid's restaurants and tapas

Welcome to the Spanish capital, a gastronomic paradise where you’re never far from a delicious snack or meal including our very own tapas bar, Estado Puro, with an award-winning chef keeping your taste buds intrigued. 

Stepping out of our hotel you’ll soon come across the delightful Taberna La Dolores, a bit of a legend to the locals of Barrio de Las Letras. With its tiled façade, wooden interior and intriguing selection of beers, this 100-year-old bar greets its guests with a welcoming smile and a bustling atmosphere. If you like it busy and authentic then visit just before lunch on the weekends, it is a lot of fun to talk to the locals as you get tapas and drinks from the bar. 

As you venture further into the interwoven and often-cobbled streets of the neighborhood, why not try out one of the fresh seafood dishes at El Barril de las Letras? The city may not be on the coast but there are regular deliveries directly from the sea straight to the kitchen meaning that their ‘fish of the day’ is unlikely to be any older by the time it hits your plate than if your table was overlooking the Bay of Biscay. My personal favorite here is pulpo a la gallega, octopus with olive oil and paprika. Simple, yet spectacular! 

Edging further in the direction of the very center of the capital, at the top of Calle del Prado, the narrow street opens up into a beautiful square, Plaza Santa Ana. You’re spoiled for choice here, with delicious and fun alternatives along both facing lengths and, weather dependent, you have the option to dine inside or out on the terrace, ideal for those who like to absorb the pedestrian flow of a city. One to try would be Lateral, with excellent wines, a relaxed and modern feel, and their gluten-free dishes can often come in handy.

Getting around

Perfectly situated in the city center and within the Golden Triangle of Art, a stay at our hotel means the key places of interest are within walking distance. There are, of course, other means of getting around and Madrid’s public transport system is up there with the best, with metro stations and bus stops for the major lines – as well as a 24-hour taxi service – just outside our door. Another option is to use the Madrid tour bus, which allows you to hop on and off at any stage during the three-hour trip, or if you feel like something even more special, we can arrange for a private chauffeur to drive you around the city in luxury while describing the sights along the way.

Things to do in Madrid: shopping, family and nightlife

So, if getting around is easy, the hardest part of your stay is choosing where to go. Time permitting, I’d certainly aim to take in the grandeur of the royal residence, the Palacio Real. Another iconic building is the Palacio de Cristal, a 19th century glass structure located in the famous Parque del Retiro that hosts exhibitions from around the world. While in the park, you can also take a boat ride across its lake and search out the Fuente del Ángel Caído – a statue of the Devil by Ricardo Bellver, which eerily stands at 666 meters above sea level. 

Exploring El Retiro is popular with all the family but the outskirts of Madrid offers even more entertainment for young and old with two theme parks, Parque de Atracciones and Warner Bros, a cable car ride from Argüelles metro station away in Casa de Campo. There you’ll also find Madrid’s much-treasured zoo, pandas included. 

If you’ve never tried ‘chocolate con churros’, the 24/7 Chocolatería San Ginés serves up a treat, which for late night revelers can provide a tasty refueling stop. For a real taste of the Madrilenian street food culture, ‘chocolate con churros’ cannot be missed. These tasty, crispy-soft oxymoron pastries can be eaten at any time of the day and Chocolatería San Ginés is the number one place to go, so much so that people will join long queues outside their doors rather than try elsewhere, although this is rarely necessary. It’s open all day so it can provide some sweet sustenance with a mid-morning coffee; a tasty treat as you walk off a delectable dinner; or a much-needed energy boost for late night revelers heading home to bed. 

And indeed, for those who like the night our neighborhood offers seven floors of exhilarating dancing at the Kapital disco, each floor targeting a different musical audience. Cinema lovers don’t need a crash course in Spanish as the local Cine Ideal at Jacinto Benavente keeps movies in their original version, and if you’d prefer a musical or theatrical performance for your evening just let us know your taste and we’ll find something for you. Classical music is also catered for by the Orquesta Sinfónica, Spain’s oldest independent orchestra, which astounds audiences at venues across Madrid, and one of my top tips is the Teatro de la Zarzuela, minutes from our hotel, which matches the Paris Opéra-Comique for cultural musical comedy.

Finding something unique

If you’re looking to buy an exclusive gift – maybe a unique hand-painted silk scarf from Lola Fonseca or a limited edition copy of Don Quijote - then Calle Cervantes has the answers. The streets of Arenal and Prado are also full of inspirational ideas and all just yards from the hotel. Just by walking around the area you can absorb the city’s culture. Calle Arenal’s sidewalk, for example, will surprise you with engraved verses from Quevedo, or you can look at the outside of the house where Cervantes lived and died.

A break from the city?

Madrid is surrounded by numerous beautiful towns and villages that make an ideal day trip. I’d definitely recommend Segovia or Ávila – two medieval cities about an hour and a half to the north-west of the capital. The giant Roman aqueduct of Segovia is the standout feature – completed early in the 2nd century with 800 meters of granite blocks sitting in perfect balance. While there, I urge you to order the cochinillo (suckling pig) for lunch, legendary in the area, and the tarta ponche for dessert. You’ll thank me afterwards! Ávila has a stunning structure of its own, a medieval wall connecting over 80 semi-circular towers that are lit up at night, and there are alluring tours, theater and poetry readings.

The Golden Triangle of Art

Back to Madrid. You’ll no doubt have noticed that our hotel shares its name with one of the most famous museums in the world and the Museo del Prado elegantly displays Spain’s most important paintings and sculptures as you meet our very own Goya, Velazquez and Picasso as well as international contributions from the likes of Gustav Klimt. The nearby Museo de Reina Sofia adds a modern touch to the neighborhood with Picasso’s unbelievable Guernica, arguably the most impactful painting representing the Civil War. Just across the street join the masterpiece collection tour around the Thyssen-Bornemisza – and pick from one of their interactive thematic journeys. Note that both the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen have fantastic meal offers too. 

With the Paseo del Arte Pass—which grants admission to the three aforementioned museums—and a stay at the NH Collection Madrid Paseo del Prado you can easily complete a tour of the Golden Triangle of Art. All three museums can be reached within an approximate walking time of 20 minutes. You can also make use of Madrid’s public bus system to reach them. 

If you’ve seen enough, head along to the Museo Naval to learn about the last 500 years of the Spanish Navy or be astounded at the archives of the Biblioteca Nacional, one of the largest libraries in the world, and situated in the Salamanca district, a short walk from the hotel, and full of some of the best eateries in town including El Paraguas and Ten con Ten. You’ll not regret it.

Author: Lillian Ferrer Cruz

Hi, my name is Lillian Ferrer Cruz. To be in Guest Relations you have to be inspired by people’s differences. In fact, offering them the best experience makes me grow in a personal way. I still remember that six-year-old kid at the hotel checkout that couldn’t stop crying. When I asked why he was crying, his mom said that he was so happy in the hotel that he’d prefer to stay than go back home. To touch people’s feelings like that is the most beautiful part of my job. Working in Guest Relations allows me to be part of a unique moment for each guest; in that is way it is so special. This job keeps a young, healthy and active mind. I am proud to be a natural host and to have a job that I can enjoy every day with a big smile. It is a real gift!