Words by Kirsty McCormack
In my opinion, there’s no city break quite like Madrid. Not only do you have the hustle and bustle and endless places to eat and drink, but the weather is also top-notch, and there are plenty of cultural hot spots to ensure that you feel like you’re properly soaking up everything that the Spanish capital has to offer.
Tucked away in the southeast of Madrid is the Hard Rock Hotel which opened in July 2021 and has a very modest entrance. A stark contrast to what guests see when they make their way inside and are instantly greeted by a life-size Las Meninas sculpture covered in song lyrics and epic music memorabilia.
Hotel
Music lovers rejoice because Hard Rock Hotel Madrid really does have it all. From epic (and super rare) memorabilia and live performances to a gigantic guitar light installation and artist-inspired cocktails, music really is the main attraction here.
The lobby feels sleek, yet not stuffy, and the GMT+1 bar is the perfect place to relax before checking in, and even a great area to enjoy drinks later in the evening, with an array of plush velvet and leather sofas to choose from. This is also where Hard Rock holds many of its events, such as live musical performances and stand-up comedy.
Now that summer is upon us, the hotel has opened their outdoor pool, which is certainly a hot spot come the warmer months in Madrid. Open daily until October from 11am until 7pm, epic tunes are piped in underwater to ensure you’re never without music. Roxy Garden provides plush red sun loungers and candy-striped umbrellas, perfect for those who want to top up their tan, but also ideal for those who want to relax in the shade with a cocktail.
Rooms and suites
Don’t be surprised if you don’t want to leave your room once you’ve checked in at Hard Rock Hotel Madrid. A personalised playlist awaits you, playing all your favourite tunes, and there’s also the option to have a Fender guitar delivered straight to your door, or even a record player. The Sound of Your Stay is designed to help guests make musical memories on the daily, and who doesn’t want to listen to their favourite singers whilst sprawled out on a super comfy king-size bed?
From a classic room to the Rockstar suite, the hotel offers an array of spaces to suit all different budgets. Every room here is infused with their patented rockabilly style, from the contemporary wall art to the luxury linens and cobalt blue bed frames.
Food and drink
The GMT+1 Bar in the hotel’s lobby is a great place to enjoy a beer and some light bites, but you can’t stay at Hard Rock Hotel Madrid without dining at their Sessions Restaurant. The interior of the spacious dining area pays tribute to a Spanish guitar while the food on offer is contemporary North American cuisine – and it does not disappoint. There really is something for everyone, from ribs, tacos, and sushi to epic Caesar salads and melt-in-your-mouth fillet steak. The next-level cheesecake is a must for those with a sweet tooth, even though I was thoroughly stuffed, I did not regret making that final order.
Now that the sun is fully shining and summer is just around the corner, Hard Rock Hotel Madrid has opened their RT60 Rooftop which offers breath-taking 360 views of the city and is the perfect place for drinks anytime, but especially come sunset. Food is served from 6pm until 1am and the menu is short but sweet, offering up four different burgers and a few starters including Iberian ham and tequeños, which are fried breaded cheese sticks served with kimchi mayo sauce.
The drinks menu at RT60 Rooftop is anything but short though, and guests will have a hard time choosing from the array of gin, vodka, rum and whiskeys on offer as well as the signature cocktails.
To do
Despite not being directly in the centre of Madrid, Hard Rock Hotel is a haven for those wishing to soak up some historic culture in the Spanish capital because it’s situated in the Golden Triangle of Art.
The hotel is directly opposite the Reina Sofia, one of the three famous museums in Madrid that houses the works of Pablo Picasso and Surrealist Salvador Dali, to name a few. Meanwhile, Museo del Prado is just a 12-minute walk away and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum is just 16 minutes by foot. Another place you must visit when staying at Hard Rock Hotel Madrid is the beautiful Parque de El Retiro, which is home to a large lake as well as the Palacio de Cristal that also houses temporary art exhibitions.
In a nutshell
With epic tunes, even better food and drink, and rock-star-worthy rooms, Hard Rock Hotel Madrid is everything we’ve come to love about the worldwide famous brand, but thanks to its stylish Spanish detailing, it’s certainly not just any old Hard Rock Hotel.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from €130/£113 per night.
Address: Ronda de Atocha 17, Madrid, 28012
Phone: +34 915308000
Website: hardrockhotels.com/madrid
