DESTINATIONS SHORT BREAKS | MADRID
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: The Garden of Earthly Delights by Hieronymus Bosch, Prado Museum; rainbow flags during Madrid Pride; Hotel Regina’s rooftop terrace; Avani Alonso Martinez in the Chamberí neighbourhood PICTURES: Shutterstock/muratart, Unai Huizi; Andy Huntley
BEST FOR . . . TAPAS TRAWLS The Avani Alonso Martinez is housed in a freshly renovated 1920s building on a wide avenue in Chamberí, a bar-and-restaurant-lined barrio (neighbourhood) that feels authentically Madrid. Elegant Chamberí is home to a fascinating museum of Madrid’s metro system, located in a disused station built in 1919, as well as a selection of retro cinemas. Inside the Avani, on-site restaurant The Pantry fits with Chamberí’s fabulous food scene: clients can chow down on dessert-like breakfasts such as chocolate and churros, Spain’s famous dipping treat,
or traditional dishes such as cheese, fruit and ham. Book it: EasyJet holidays offers five nights at Avani Alonso Martinez Madrid from £1,720, based on two sharing, including breakfast and flights on April 24.
easyjet.com/holidays
BEST FOR . . . SHOPPERS With a prime location just off the impressive Gran Vía, home to department-store-sized branches of Primark and Spanish retail giant Zara, Room Mate Oscar is a shopper’s delight. The hotel is on Plaza de Pedro Zerolo, the heart of the city’s gay community – Madrid Pride kicks off here from June 27. Room Mate Oscar’s boxy black exterior belies the
colourful lobby, where light streams through blue-and- green glass. Compact rooms featuring playfully curved furniture reflect the city’s ever-present blue sky and sunshine, with pops of orange and turquoise. Head to
58 20 MARCH 2025
exper expert ASK THE
Hisham Mahmoud, agency sales manager, Kirker Holidays
“Whenever I’m asked about my recommendations for a European city break, Madrid is always near the top of the list. In the past five years it has replaced Barcelona as our most popular Spanish city – there is a wealth of art and culture, as well as incredible tapas bars, restaurants and food markets. However, the best part about visiting Madrid is simply soaking up the atmosphere of a bustling, authentic Spanish city, where the local Madrileños still outnumber tourists. We also offer tapas tours, which are a fun way to explore the city through its cuisine.”
the roof terrace for cocktails under the stars and a seasonal swimming pool with rooftop views. Book it: Tui offers three nights’ room-only at Room Mate Oscar from £456 per person, based on
two sharing, including flights from Gatwick on April 29.
tui.co.uk
BEST FOR . . . HISTORY BUFFS Hotel Regina occupies a chic modernist building, mere minutes on foot from Puerta del Sol, the heart of historic Madrid and the symbolic centre of Spain – a plaque in front of the clock tower reads ‘Kilometre Zero’, marking the point where all distances in the country are measured from. Clients are also only 10 minutes away from the grand Habsburg-era Plaza Mayor, an expansive public square with traditional restaurants and confectionery shops radiating off in all directions. Art-deco-styled rooms at the hotel look directly over bustling Alcalá street, as does the roof
terrace, which is ideal for people watching. Book it: Osprey Holidays sells three nights at Hotel Regina from £760 per person, based on two sharing, including breakfast, transfers and flights departing May 12.
ospreyholidays.com
TW
travelweekly.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68
