Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid

Feb 04, 2012

Justin Timberlake, Amanda Seyfried and even “a guy from ‘Twilight’” were also guests during my stay at The Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid, Spain. This hardly affected me, though — I was too busy reveling in my own celebrity treatment. The hotel excels at the big things — the restaurants, guestrooms, location and amenities — but a lack of pretension, a warm ambience and a meticulous awareness of guest needs make The Hotel Villa Magna an obvious choice for clients who deserve to be treated well.

Located in the center of the city on Paseo de la Castellana in the exclusive Salamanca neighborhood, the hotel is minutes away from high-end shopping on Serrano Street and Ortega and Gasset Street and within walking distance from Madrid’s Art Triangle, containing the Reina Sofia, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Prado museums. The hotel reopened in 2010 after $64 million in renovations and now features 100 elegant rooms and 50 suites.

The renovation maintained the building’s facade and floors but demolished the interiors in order to boost the number of suites from 18 to 50, providing the most suites in Spain. All rooms boast a sophisticated aesthetic featuring materials such as mahogany wood and white enamel in the rooms and marble in the bathrooms; subtle colors; and elegant touches including crown moldings, restored antique furniture and tasteful, though striking, art pieces. Without compromising the classic look, all accommodations contain up-to-date technological conveniences such as four telephones; Ad Notam Magic Mirror flat-screen televisions that double as mirrors; an iPod docking station and speakers; a fully stocked minibar; a CD-DVD player; audio and VGA connection; high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access; and a digital safe with a plug to charge laptops.

My suite was spacious, with dedicated areas for working, entertaining and unwinding. The room’s walk-in closet — filled with robes, slippers and every possible forgotten item, from floss to a pouch for glasses — rivaled only the walk-in rain shower. What made the stay truly luxurious, though, was the immaculate turndown and maid service. When I returned to my room shortly following a spilled orange juice disaster, the soiled chair had already been replaced — and I hadn’t even called housekeeping yet. Surprises awaited me upon every return to my room. Snacks were made by the hotel’s kitchen staff, and the human touch was apparent as cookies were fresh, delicious and varied all the time. I loved the macaroons, and the shortbread ghosts and pumpkins on Halloween day made me feel like I was at home with friends. Maid service was so gracefully timed with my exits that I joked to myself that the hotel must have planted a camera outside my room to monitor my ins and outs.

The hotel, however, is known for its respect of guest privacy. According to Laura Del Pozo, marketing and communications manager, the hotel’s ninth floor suites regularly accommodate actors in town for movie premieres because the hotel has won the favor of several studio producers and directors who trust that the hotel can take care of its stars before and during their stays. This extreme confidence in the hotel and its ability to fulfill special requests and respect guest privacy is one that agents should also have for their clients.

Services at the hotel include a 24-hour Les Clefs d’Or Concierge service; a fully equipped business center; nine meeting spaces; Wi-Fi connectivity throughout public spaces; a valet car park service and limousine transfer service; private parking in the hotel’s garage with car wash service; laundry, dry cleaning and pressing; butler service in the Real and Royal Suites; 24-hour room service; and babysitting services. Downstairs, a small gym offers high-tech equipment as well as a salon and a small wellness center, offering a variety of massage treatments.

Dining and drinking options also concentrate on guest satisfaction. At my dinner at the Restaurante Villa Magna and my light lunch at the Lounge, the staff made sure that everything tasted to my liking. Guests can also enjoy cocktails at the Magnum Bar and the open-air terrace in the hotel’s gardens. The Tse Yang restaurant, one of the first high-end Chinese restaurants to open in Madrid, is very popular among locals.

Like the restaurants, the hotel offers high-quality product but distinguishes itself through service that is meticulous about getting clients exactly what they want.