How the ultra wealthy travel in Madrid

Key Concepts:

• Luxury travel in Madrid
• High-end hotels (Santo Mauro, Casa Faraona, Mandarin Oriental Ritz)
• Luxury shopping (Salamanca district, Galería Canalejas, Mirto)
• VIP services and experiences
• Fine dining (Coque, Paco Roncero, Dstage)
• Spanish culture (Prado Museum, El Retiro Park, Flamenco)
• Exclusive leisure activities (La Finca Golf)
• Gourmet experiences (Jamón Ibérico tasting)

Luxury Accommodation:

• Santo Mauro: A chic hotel in the former palace of the Duke of Santo Mauro, built between 1889 and 1902, offering elegant rooms and classic design.
• Casa Faraona Luxury Residences: Offers opulent accommodation with lavish facilities, including a duplex apartment with a private bar for entertaining.
• Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid: One of three Ritz properties designed by César Ritz, opened in 1910. General Manager Robert Lowe highlights the Royal Suite on the first floor, strategically located for royalty avoiding stairs. The suite overlooks the Museo del Prado and Jerónimos Church, where royalty historically married. Guests receive an almond cake inspired by King Alfonso XIII's wedding cake. The hotel underwent a $120 million restoration completed in 2021 to restore César Ritz's original vision. The Palm Court, a central feature, was reopened with a crystal ceiling inspired by the original, supported by crystal rather than structure.
• Royal Suite Details: The 228-square-meter suite features a bedroom with a ceiling painted by Laura Ríos in the style of Francisco de Goya. The bathroom is made of dolomite marble from Greece, designed to resemble a spa with a soaking tub and steam shower.

Luxury Shopping:

• Salamanca District: Known as Madrid's "Golden Mile," offering an abundance of luxury stores.
• Galería Canalejas: A luxury shopping and gastronomy destination in a complex of seven historical buildings (formerly banks). The restoration project took seven years, recovering over 16,000 historical elements. It hosts iconic luxury brands like Hermès, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton. Dior's flagship store in Spain is located here.
• VIP Services at Galería Canalejas: Includes a private lounge for clients to relax and try on pieces with personal shopper and beauty stylist services. Clients include celebrities, artists, and football players seeking privacy. High jewellery pieces from Cartier and Rolex are sold.
• Mirto: A Spanish clothing brand founded in 1956, now run by Ricardo Fraguas's daughter Elena and son Ricardo Junior. They offer ready-to-wear and bespoke tailoring for men. VIP customers can select fabrics and details for unique suits. The brand's prints and textiles are exclusive. King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain have worn Mirto on several occasions.

Exclusive Leisure and Culture:

• Prado Museum: One of the world's most admired art museums, offering private guided tours with fast-track access.
• El Retiro Park: A UNESCO World Heritage site where visitors can walk through gardens, admire the Glass Palace, and row boats on the lake.
• La Finca Golf: An exclusive 18-hole golf club located just west of the city center. It aims for aesthetic appeal and exclusivity, limiting membership to 777 members. The clubhouse features dedicated lockers, golf bag storage, a gymnasium, and physio services. Members include football players, basketball players, tennis players, and investment bankers. The club has partnered with the Real Madrid Foundation for a golf circuit.

Gourmet Experiences:

• Jamón Ibérico Tasting: Master ham cutter Emilio José García Ortigosa offers private tastings, emphasizing the importance of the cut to reveal different flavors. He serves Jamón Ibérico de Bellota from Manchado de Jabugo pigs, matured for up to 3 years and cured for up to 6 years. This ham costs $5,500. He creates fusions like ham with truffle, peperoncino, and gold, or ham with wasabi and sesame.
• Michelin-Starred Dining:
  • Coque: Run by the Sandoval brothers, holding 2 Michelin stars and a green star for sustainable practices.
  • Paco Roncero: A 2-Michelin-starred restaurant known for its interactive dining experience, with the beetroot with black garlic dessert highlighted.
  • Dstage: Chef Diego Guerrero's 2-Michelin-starred restaurant, opened in 2014, known for its innovative and scientific approach to cuisine. The "DENJOY" menu features 22 courses paired with wine, costing around $400 per person. Dishes are developed in a lab with biologists and chemists. Examples include a crisp butter and charcoal cookie with balsamic vinegar and a prawn dish with edible shell in scallop broth. Dstage aims for zero waste and has earned a Michelin Green Star.

Flamenco Experience:

• Corral de la Morería: A flamenco venue founded in 1956, now run by Blanca del Rey and her sons. It offers dinner with the show and a private dining area with a Michelin-starred menu. The venue has a collection of Spanish sherry, some costing up to $250 a glass. The venue's guestbook contains signatures from celebrities like Salvador Dalí, King Hussein of Jordan, Ava Gardner, and Frank Sinatra.

Conclusion:

Madrid offers a wide range of luxury experiences, from opulent hotels and high-end shopping to exclusive leisure activities and gourmet dining. The city caters to VIPs with personalized services, cultural experiences, and innovative culinary offerings, making it a first-class destination for discerning travelers.