Madrid Reborn

01. Jan, 2012

If you haven’t been to Madrid lately, now’s the time to go. After eight years of citywide renovations—pedestrianizing the entire urban zone and transforming the derelict wasteland along the Manzanares river into a leafy park—the Spanish capital has morphed into one of Europe’s most exciting destinations. Beyond the Big Three museums (the Prado, the Reina Sofia and the Thyssen-Bornemisza), new contemporary art centers like CentroCentro and the CaixaForum Madrid are stealing the spotlight. Combine that with avant-garde fashion and cuisine (thanks, Ferran Adrià!), and Madrid will have you itching to pull an all-nighter so as not to miss a thing.

After a night out in this all-hours party town, you’ll want to rest your weary head at the Hotel Villa Magna on Paseo de la Castellana at the edge of the chic Salamanca district. Filled with contemporary art, this five-star address is a favorite of celebrities and international dignitaries in need of discreet service. When Luxury Travel Advisor stayed at the hotel this fall, Lenny Kravitz breezed through check-in unnoticed, and L.A. Laker Pau Gasol—fresh from helping his Spanish team win the FIBA European Basketball Championship—gave media interviews in the lobby without the usual crowds of fawning fans. (Though we hear that Lady Gaga’s parade of shopping bags en route to her suite tipped off fellow guests about her shopping spree!)

For the full article, see the January 2012 issue of Luxury Travel Advisor.