Convene at IFEMA Annually, and Through- in the Center’S Favor

MADRID

The Spanish capital is a melting pot of art, culture, and cuisine — and a rising star for international meetings and events.

Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 1 11/5/13 11:15 AM MAD FOR MADRID Spain’s capital city is seizing the spotlight. By Jennifer N. Dienst

Palacio Real

hen I step outside Madrid–Barajas as well as a rapidly rising star for international meet- Airport early one October morning, ings and events. the sky is a nearly unbelievable shade Like its people, Madrid’s assets are diverse and many of perfect blue. The air is still and cool, (it’s the third-largest metropolis in Europe in terms of Wand it’s bright enough that I almost want to turn back multinationals). More than 350 museums and art gal- and go inside. After all, I’ve been awake for more than leries and 600 buildings classified as cultural heritage 24 hours straight, and I have another eight hours to sites fill its lively neighborhoods (called districts) — of go before I can finally shut my eyes again. But I’m in which there are almost two dozen — and its 15,000- Spain, one of my favorite places in the world, and as plus restaurants include nine that have earned Mi- my friendly driver speeds us through Madrid’s early- chelin stars (and 20 regionally). Madrileños (Madrid morning traffic and I see the softly rolling slopes of citizens), as well as most of Europe, rally behind Real Sierra de Guadarrama, I suddenly find myself wide Madrid, its hugely popular soccer team, and despite awake and grinning about the day to come. Spain’s recent recession, Madrid is steadily growing as It’s moments like this, of pure beauty and unpre- an economic stronghold. Its advancements in higher tentious charm, that make me fall in love with Spain education and scientific research — especially in bio- again and again. And this will happen repeatedly over technology and global telecommunications — are set- the next three-and-a-half days. The Madrid Conven- ting the pace for those sectors worldwide. tion Bureau (MCB) has brought me to this eclectic The reasons why Madrid is quickly gaining mo- capital city so I can discover why its melting pot of mentum as a world-class meetings destination are more than 6.3 million people has become the under- also diverse and many. This year, Madrid’s Interna- rated strong suit of Spanish art, culture, and cuisine, tional Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 2 11/5/13 11:15 AM NEW WORLD/OLD WORLD The United States is Madrid’s main source of tourism — in 2012, the city welcomed more than a half-million visitors from the U.S., which is also second, after Italy, in city ranking jumped to the No. 4 spot; after the global terms of the number of cities connected by recession in 2008, Madrid was at No. 22. The region’s direct flight to Madrid. accessibility is also key. With its central location in Europe, Madrid has more than 5,000 direct flights to the United States from Madrid–Barajas Airport, the ODDS AND ENDS country’s largest and busiest. Madrid is also afford- » Madrid is the third-most populated city able, especially when comparing restaurant checks in Europe, after Berlin and London. and hotel-room rates with those of other popular » Madrid is the second-best city in European cities. Europe for shopping, according to the And as I soon find out on my own, Madrid is safe, Globe Shopper City Index. walkable, and easy to get around via one of the » Madrid is home to the oldest world’s most comprehensive Metro networks. I find restaurant in the world, Casa Botín. it similar to my former home of New York City, where » As the epicenter of Spanish art and a spider web of neighborhoods, all with their own culture, Madrid hosts many of Spain’s personalities, offer something for everyone, whether largest events, including Madrid de it’s strolling through Madrid’s main crossroads of Cine-Spanish Film Screenings and Puerta del Sol, perusing the designer shops of the PHotoEspaña, the International Salamanca District, strolling and biking through El Festival of Photography and Visual Arts Retiro Park, or standing in front of Picasso’s master- of Madrid. piece Guernica, at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía.

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 3 11/5/13 11:15 AM Plaza Mayor Museo Nacional del Prado

SEE AND DO the Literary Quarter is one of the city’s cultural oases, In terms of both geography and population, Madrid is with many prominent museums as well as the former quite large. The city is split into more than 20 districts, stomping grounds of 17th-century masters of Spanish and on my first day, my guide from MCB, which offers literature like Lope de Vega and Miguel de Cervantes. guided tours conducted in nine languages, walks me Nearby, in the Paseo del Arte district, Madrid’s near- through one of the most historic, the Hapsburg District. ly two-mile-long stretch of museums includes The The neighborhood is home to some of the city’s greatest Golden Triangle of Art — The Museo del Prado (mu- architectural treasures, like the Teatro Real opera house seodelprado.es), Spain’s national art museum; Museo and the Palacio Real — the Royal Palace. As we wander Thyssen-Bornemisza (museothyssen.org), one of the through Hapsburg’s narrow alleyways and softly lit world’s largest private art collections; and Museo Na- squares that date back to medieval ages, I see how Ma- cional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (museoreinasofia.es), drid’s past and present exist in tandem. Buzzed crowds Spain’s national museum of 20th-century art. A num- spill out of tiny tapas bars across the street from con- ber of other cultural institutions can also be found vents that sell delicate cookies and pastas in the same along the way, including Biblioteca Nacional de Es- way they sold them centuries earlier. As we pass by the paña (the National Library of Spain, www.bne.es) and weathered wooden doors of Convento de Corpus Cristi, CaixaForum (convn.org/caixa-forum), a popular venue my guide explains that after ringing the buzzer, visitors for temporary art exhibitions. Close by, the 350-acre El pay for and receive their dulces, or sweets, via a built-in Retiro Park dates back to the early-16th century and is lazy Susan so the nuns stay unseen. one of Madrid’s largest green spaces along with Casa Crowned Spain’s capital in the 1560s, Madrid is de Campo, one of the largest urban parks in Europe, steeped in history that dates back even further, to the with more than five times the space of New York City’s ninth century. Madrid’s plazas and squares — like Central Park. Fun fact: Madrid is the European capital Plaza Mayor, one of the city’s most well-known and with the most hours of sunlight and the most green visited — have witnessed much of the city’s timeline spaces, so groups that enjoy getting outside will have as stages for everything from bullfights to corona- plenty of opportunities to do so. tions. Currently, Plaza Mayor is lined with tourist-filled I spend a leisurely afternoon exploring Museo tapas bars and souvenir shops, but its ornate facades, Thyssen-Bornemisza on my own, stopping to sip an colorful frescoes, and elegant colonnades alone are espresso in the garden-adjacent café and scan its worth the stroll. The district is just one of many historic well-curated gift store, which sells a high-end selec- neighborhoods found in Central Madrid. Next door, tion of locally made gifts. Unique in the fact that the

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 4 11/5/13 11:15 AM SPAIN RISING “We are already the No. 1 tourism destination within Europe, and that’s why Museo Nacional del Prado we are working hard to show the American Santiago Bernabéu Stadium market all of our competitive advantages, from the unique culture to the great climate and transportation network,” said museum started as a pri- Jorge Rubio Navarro, Director and Consul executive and VIP seating vately owned collection for Tourism Affairs, Tourist Office of Spain areas make memorable in the early-20th cen- in Chicago. “Because once Americans visit, experiences for confer- tury, the current collec- they love it, and they come back.” ences and incentive tion has more than 1,200 groups. Team-building paintings, from modern- activities can include ists like Piet Mondrian IF THE ZAPATO FITS penalty-kick shootouts, to Baroque masters like Handmade espadrilles have been a staple and events can be com- Caravaggio. The muse- for madrileños for centuries. Visitors can bined with a guided tour um’s two buildings have purchase their own pair for five euros and and visit to the stadium’s been fused into one and pick them up at one of many shoebox-sized three-story gift shop. are works of art in them- shops around the city. Plenty of treasures selves. For private events, also exist just outside city a 187-seat auditorium of- limits. Madrid is the only fers excellent visibility city in the world to have and acoustics, and the Central Hall at the entrance six UNESCO World Heritage Sites within an hour’s of Villahermosa Palace, with its 50-foot ceilings and a drive. The medieval city of Toledo is among the best dramatic Tintoretto painting, is ideal for galas. historical examples of its kind, demonstrating how My second day in Madrid, I discover the city’s Christianity, Judaism, and Islam have created a melt- sportier side while visiting Santiago Bernabéu Sta- ing pot of influences in the region, while Segovia has dium — home to Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (convn. one of the world’s best-preserved Roman aqueducts. org/real-madrid-events). Even though there are hours For shopaholics, Las Rozas Village Outlets (lasrozas- before this evening’s game against F.C. Copenhagen, village.com)is just 30 minutes away in a charming crowds are already filtering in to take the stadium tour, open-air setting that overlooks Madrid. The shopping which includes opportunities to pose for photos on the center, with more than 100 stores by mostly European field and spend a few engrossed hours exploring the brands like Barbour and Burberry, recently launched 85,454-seat stadium and museum. When there’s not a number of new initiatives to accommodate high a game, the stadium also serves as a venue for groups. demand from groups, including arranging lunch and Everything from product launches to gala dinners dinner at one of the village’s two restaurants and pri- can be held on the field, and 20 meeting rooms plus vate special shopping events.

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 5 11/5/13 11:15 AM Corral de la Morería

EAT houses three floors of food stalls selling meats, Visitors who don’t speak a lick of Spanish can still cheeses, pastries, wine, and more; on the second easily communicate in Madrid, because here, food is floor, a food court sells take-away items of every eth- the second language. No evening is better spent than nic variety, from Greek to Japanese. Upstairs, a roof- with hours of grazing through tapas bars, sampling top restaurant and bar will cook your chosen piece croquette after croquette, glass of wine after glass of of fish or meat from the market below. For groups, wine. It’s the perfect way for groups to connect with tours led by a guide can include informative tastings each other and rub elbows with friendly locals while as well as a chance to meet the vendors and talented getting to know the city. makers of the goods they’re trying. One of the best ways to explore the epicurean par- The beauty of Madrid’s culinary scene is that an adise that is Madrid is through its markets. Markets authentic and delicious dining experience can be had here aren’t the everyday grocery store. With dozens at nearly any price. My first lunch in Madrid is at La of food stalls hawking locally made jamón, cheese, Rotonda (larotondapalace.com), an elegant eatery wine, and delicate pastries, these part-store, part- under the ornate stained-glass dome of The Westin restaurant halls of gastronomy let visitors easily make Palace, Madrid, and is on the higher end of the spec- a meal out of the experience. Mercado de San Miguel trum. With impeccably attentive service and Chef Di- (mercadodesanmiguel.es) is one of the most visited, ego Guerrero’s innovative tapas menu, La Rotonda is with its near century-old location just around the cor- one of Madrid’s best formal-dining experiences. ner from popular Plaza Mayor, and it also stands as My second lunch in Madrid may be slightly more one of the finest examples of cast-iron architecture in casual, but it’s just as delicious. Located off Gran the city. On weekends, the market stays open until 2 Via, one of Madrid’s main thoroughfares, La Barraca a.m., feeding crowds who meander from stall to stall (labarraca.es) has been the city’s go-to staple for clas- feasting on tapas, churros, wine, and beer. sic paella since 1935. The walls of the four dining rooms During visits to two different markets one week- are decorated in the style of a traditional Valencian day afternoon, I notice that both are relatively busy home, with Spanish tiles, pottery, and copper pots, and during traditional siesta time, buzzing with both the service is as friendly and warm as the food. The ex- tourists gawking at slabs of pork legs hanging in stalls pansive menu of classic dishes include appetizers like like chandeliers and locals grabbing fresh juices to delicate croquettes filled with mushrooms and more go. The Mercado de San Anton (mercadosananton than 16 rice dishes, ranging from a mixed paella of .com) in Madrid’s trendy Chueca neighborhood squid, mussels, grouper, king prawn, chicken, and pork,

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GETTING THERE, GETTING AROUND Madrid-Barajas Airport ranks fourth among European airports in terms of volume, with more than 45 million passengers passing through in 2012. The facility aims to become third after the completion of an ongoing expansion of Terminal 4 wraps up next year, adding more shopping and dining and improving the overall passenger experience.

Madrid is just as well connected within Spain as it is to the rest of the world. Madrid Metro, the city’s extensive subway system, is the sixth largest in the world, and connects all to a striking black version of the major neighborhoods and attractions nothing short of dazzling. made with black rice and with 231 stations and 12 lines. Spain’s national Not only has Corral de squid. My host and I de- rail line, Renfe, also has a large presence with la Morería garnered ac- vour both the vegetable Cercanías Madrid, a commuter service that colades from the world’s and seafood paellas, stretches from inside the city out into the foremost flamenco au- washing it all down with suburbs, as well as with high-speed trains thorities, the Michelin glasses of hearty Spanish that serve Barcelona, Seville, and other cities Guide has included its white wine. throughout the country. restaurant six years in a And sometimes in row for its upscale spin on Madrid, dinner comes traditional Spanish fare. with a side of dancing. TAPAS 101 Dinnertime in Madrid Although flamenco — » Croquettes Delightful little fried doesn’t really begin un- the dramatic and ex- cylinders of béchamel and other til 10 p.m. and later, and pressive fusion of Span- ingredients, like jamón (ham). madrileños love to hop ish guitar, singing, hand » Tortilla española Possibly the most from place to place or clapping, and dancing well-known and widely available spend hours chatting over — is found everywhere tapa, this potato omelet is humble but a drawn-out meal at res- in Spain, madrileños delicious. taurants like Posada de proudly note that danc- » Bocadillos Two slices of long baguette la Villa (posadadelavilla ers and musicians from bread with squid, pork, or other meats .com). Originally a flour all over come to their city and cheese sandwiched between. mill and then an inn in the to perfect the art form. 15th century, the three- Visitors can catch a per- floor restaurant serves formance at one of doz- classic dishes like Man- ens of tiny tablaos (flamenco bars) around Madrid, chego cheeses, Bellota ham, garlic shrimp, and succu- in grand theaters, or during Suma Flamenca, Ma- lent roast lamb, all of which I share with Isabel Martin, drid’s summertime festival dedicated to flamenco. who works in the corporate and incentives department Flamenco is a visual and auditory feast, and my own of the Madrid Convention Bureau, on my last evening in experience at the renowned Corral de la Morería Madrid. The restaurant is warm, classic, and hospitable (corraldelamoreria.com) on my first evening is — the perfect place to bring a group or entertain VIPs.

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 7 11/5/13 11:15 AM MEET Just as trendy tapas bars coexist with medieval ru- ins and centuries-old convents, Madrid fuses the old with the new when it comes to its vast collection of convention, meeting, and special-event spaces. Un- like some cities with convention centers that are rich in space but lack character and charm, Madrid has a plethora of venues that blend all three elements to offer much more than just a one-size-fits-all, big- box space. Matadero Madrid (mataderomadrid.org) is a perfect example of this hard-to-find cocktail. The com- plex is truly original and transfixing, and has me reveling in its every detail from the moment my tour begins. In September, The New York Times spotlight- ed the venue for its unique financial model, calling it “a cultural laboratory” that lets artists, corpora- tions, and institutions come together in a commu- nal space — formerly a slaughterhouse and live- stock market — to work, play, exhibit, and meet. But Matadero can also serve as a village of meeting and event spaces for outside organizers. Its venues range from a 236-seat theater to Nave 16, an exhibition hall that earned the FAD Architecture Prize in 2012 after extensive renovations and refurbishments. Just as inspiring as Matadero’s arrestingly beautiful spaces Palacio de Cristal are the artists and companies in residence. For example, the Red Bull Music Academy, occupying a cluster of pods inside the 43,000-square-foot Nave de Música, includes a professional recording studio, a radio station, rehearsal facilities, and a small per- formance stage. CentroCentro (centrocentro.org) and The Crystal Gallery demonstrate the delicate balance of how to preserve a piece of history yet transform it to give it a more modern, multifunctional purpose. Once known as Cibeles Palace, the monumental building morphed from a royal palace in the 17th century, to the city’s postal headquarters in the 19th century, and finally to Madrid’s city hall and cultural center in the present day, with plenty of renovations and additions along the way. Perhaps the most striking visual aspect of the building, the 21,000-square-foot Crystal Gallery, serves as an independent event and exhibition venue. During my visit, Hermès uses it to house a temporary exhibition of its iconic handbags, and the vast glass-vaulted space can accommodate nearly any style of event, including cocktail-style IFEMA Feria de Madrid receptions for up to 1,800 guests. Just outside, in

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 8 11/5/13 11:15 AM Cibeles square, the 18th-century-era Cibeles Foun- meeting rooms, and a 23,600-square-foot multipur- tain stands as the iconic symbol of Madrid as well pose hall. Trade-show organizers and exhibitors par- as the unofficial gathering place of Real Madrid fans ticularly like the venue because attendees must cross for post-victory celebrations. through the open exhibition space that separates the The quirky Teatro Circo Price (teatrocircoprice.es), meeting rooms on the third floor. The venue has also south of the city center, in the funky and hip Lavapiés hosted numerous high-profile events, including the neighborhood, functions 1997 NATO Madrid Sum- as a performing-arts mit, and as a result offers center, the city’s only ECONOMIC RECOVERY VIP treatment in the way permanent circus, and “According to Spain’s central bank’s latest of secret entrances and an event venue. As I walk figures, Spain’s economy has emerged from conference rooms with through the facility, I see recession after growing by 0.1 percent en-suite private offices areas equipped with ac- in the third quarter,” said Jorge Rubio and showers. robatic equipment for Navarro, Director and Consul for Tourism Nearby, IFEMA Fe- children who attend Sat- Affairs, Tourist Office of Spain in Chicago. ria de Madrid (ifema.es) urday circus classes, as “Some economists have stated that Spain’s is unique in that it not well as an array of exhibit economy will fully leave the recession only manages Madrid’s and meeting spaces that behind in 2014, with private investment largest facility for trade serve as blank canvases and consumption growth turning positive shows, congresses, and for everything from art after three years of decline and credit the like, but also orga- shows to cocktail re- levels stabilizing.” nizes them. When I visit ceptions. The facility is the 200,000-square- particularly unique for meter space on my last its circular auditorium, DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE afternoon in Madrid, which has flexible seat- Madrid is well-known for its friendly and Puericultura Madrid (a ing configurations that welcoming denizens, one of many reasons trade show specializing can accommodate up why the International Gay and Lesbian in child-care products) to 2,100 guests. A patio Travel Association (IGLTA) will bring its 31st and Salon Look Interna- area that can hold up to Annual Global Convention to the city next cional (a show for the sa- 900 guests is popular for year. The Chueca neighborhood, just slightly lon and beauty industry) outdoor events and re- northwest of the city’s arts district, is the are in setup mode, oc- ceptions. Typically, the epicenter of Madrid’s LGBT community cupying just a few of the venue hosts groups of and home to some of the best nightlife, art facility’s 12 exhibit halls. about 1,000, and since galleries, dining, and shopping. Every hall is connected no on-site caterer exists, via a covered pedestrian groups can bring in food- walkway, along with and-beverage providers the 107,000-square-foot of their choice. North and South Centres, two auditoriums, and 97 On the morning that I visit Palacio Municipal de meeting rooms. In addition, a brand-new press cen- Congresos de Madrid (convn.org/palacio-madrid), a ter and business center, along with an on-site Metro glass-encased behemoth of a meeting and exhibition station and 14,000 parking spaces, make it easy for venue a short distance from Madrid-Barajas Airport, it groups to commute back and forth to the city center. feels much like my first morning in Madrid — almost More than 400 international conventions, events, and disconcertingly clear and bright. This very much works congresses convene at IFEMA annually, and through- in the center’s favor. The building’s open interior de- out the past three decades, the facility has hosted sign lets groups soak up every inch of sunlight that more than 1,500 trade fairs spanning a plethora of streams through its giant glass façade, and five floors sectors, from the International Air Conditioning, of more than 322,000 square feet of usable space in- Heating, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Exhibition to clude multiple exhibition areas, two auditoriums, 30 Cibeles Madrid Fashion Week.

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 9 11/5/13 11:15 AM Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Hilton Madrid Airport

swimming pools. All of the guest rooms are suites and come with sitting areas and kitchenettes, and the sleek marble bathrooms feature separate soaking tubs and oversized showers with rain-shower heads. The Sheraton’s meeting rooms, 14 in all, are similarly styled, with dark woods, cool gray tones, and little touches of luxury, like ostrich-leather couches and ottomans. The largest meeting rooms can accommodate events of up to 850 guests and feature doors that open up out onto the hotel’s secluded courtyard. Back in Madrid’s city center, I find a hotel landscape punctuated with historic gems, grand testaments to the city’s growth in the early-20th century. On Paseo InterContinental Madrid de la Castellana, the 302-room InterContinental Ma- drid Hotel (intercontinental.com/madrid) continues the Madrilenian tradition of grandiose lobbies and expansive glass atriums. Original Carrera marble can STAY be found in guest bathrooms, and meeting rooms feel With 234 hotels and close to 80,000 hotel beds that like anything but with fireplaces, terraces, and ornate qualify as three-star and above, Madrid maintains a architectural details. Nearby, the hotel now known as massive inventory of competitively priced hotel rooms The Westin Palace, Madrid (westinpalacemadrid.com) that are often much lower than comparable rooms in was the largest in Europe when it opened in 1912, and other European cities. For example, a five-star hotel in the first to install intercoms, toilets, and phones in ev- Paris may run about 290 euros per night, according to ery guest room. Now, the property is the largest luxury Hotels.com, but only 138 euros in Madrid. hotel in Central Madrid in terms of meeting space, My host hotel, the Sheraton Madrid Mirasierra Ho- and on the day of my visit, a group has already taken tel & Spa (sheratonmadridmirasierra.com), is tucked over Espacio Palace, the property’s newest venue. away on a quiet, residential street in one of Madrid’s It’s hard not to stop and stare up into the dazzling up-and-coming business districts. This unique loca- stained-glass dome of La Cúpula. It’s the centerpiece of tion allows guests to enjoy panoramic views of the the Westin’s grand lobby, which is buzzing when I enter Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range from nearly around noon on a Monday. In the early-20th century, every guest room in the hotel. And although the 182- the hotel was the centerpiece of Madrid’s social scene, room property seems to cater primarily to business with its prime location overlooking Plaza de Cánovas travelers and small corporate groups, I’m surprised del Castillo, Calle del Duque de Medinaceli, and Plaza de by the size and scope of its resort-like amenities, las Cortes, and often hosted celebrities, dignitaries, and from the oversized, residential-styled rooms to the grand parties. After recent and repeated restorations, Absara Spa’s Turkish baths, whirlpools, and multiple the hotel is once again a fixture of Madrid’s social scene.

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Madrid-Insert-p5d1_CD_mr_CD2.indd 10 11/5/13 11:15 AM host the International Olympic Committee earlier this MEET IN MADRID year. As a result, its 27,000 square feet of meeting space In 2012, Madrid hosted 17,538 meetings with revolves around an Olympic theme and as-far-as-the- a total of more than a million attendees. eye-can-see views. Every meeting area, as well as the This year, Madrid hosted the European restaurant and spa-treatment rooms, overlooks the League Against Rheumatism’s 2013 city or the Castilian countryside from the 28th, 29th, Congress of 15,000 visitors and Microsoft’s and 30th floors. The largest space, the Grand Barcelona TechED Europe 2013 event with 4,500 Room, can hold up to 1,300 guests, and high-tech fea- visitors. In 2014, Madrid will welcome tures like soundproof walls, floor-to-ceiling windows 18,000 professionals from the European with automatic drop-down shades, and complimen- Society for Medical Oncology. tary Wi-Fi are standard. The hotel’s convenient location to the airport and direct connection to Chamartín Station, the second-largest rail station in the city, make ON THE WEB it easy for business travelers and groups to get in and To learn more about visiting and meeting get out quickly. in Madrid, visit the Madrid Convention Ideal for conventions and large groups, the Bureau at esmadrid.com and the Tourist 167,000-square-foot Principe Felipe Congress Centre Office of Spain at spain.info. (centrodecongresosprincipefelipe.com) and 869-room Auditorium Madrid Hotel (hotelauditorium.com) oc- cupy the same building, which is nearly adjacent to Madrid–Barajas Airport and less than 10 minutes from And its two-Michelin-star chef, 467 unique guest rooms IFEMA Feria de Madrid. All 31 of Principe Felipe’s meet- with original plasterwork and balconies, and old-world, ing rooms take up the first floor and mezzanine, but European opulence that cannot be replicated make the with outdoor entrances and loading docks on every Westin a fixture of the city’s hotel scene as well. side of the building and ample-sized foyers and pre- Gran Meliá Fénix (convn.org/melia-fenix) stands out function spaces, multiple groups can coexist without as another baroque masterpiece, this one within the ever knowing the others are there. The center’s 2,200- newer, very fashionable Salamanca District. A Lead- seat auditorium is the largest in the city, and offers its ing Hotel of the World, Gran Meliá Fénix has been the own private VIP entrance for high-profile events, like pick of celebrities since 1965, when the Beatles took this year’s Goya Awards, Spain’s version of the Acad- over four of its suites before giving their only concert emy Awards. Groups on a budget often choose Principe in Madrid. It’s no wonder — every room’s intricate ar- Felipe for its cost-conscious perks, like complimentary chitectural details are different, with walls upholstered airport shuttle service, an on-site restaurant that can in sumptuous fabrics and canopy beds and furnishings serve three meals daily to groups of 1,800 and up, and made of rich, dark hardwoods. On the lower level, three no exclusive audiovisual-provider requirement. meeting rooms, the largest seating 80 guests theater Nearby, the 284-room Hilton Madrid Airport style, continue the hotel’s elegantly understated style, (placeshilton.com/madrid-airport) holds similar lo- and an en-suite business center means groups can cation advantages, as well as 18,000 square feet of maintain privacy and seclusion even when the hotel is versatile, high-tech meeting space. The hotel is split at its busiest. A dry martini from Gran Meliá Fénix’s DRY into two towers with their own separate entrances, Cosmopolitan Bar by Javier de las Muelas — which dis- which makes it popular with pharmaceutical and plays a running tally of every dry martini sold (currently medical groups seeking privacy. But with plenty of more than 15,000) — should not be missed. natural light beaming down from the skylight above, In sharp contrast to the baroque grandness of the the Hilton’s large atrium lobby and adjacent meeting Westin, Grand Meliá, and InterContinental, the modern rooms still feel open, airy, and modern. Little touches Eurostars Madrid Tower Hotel (eurostarsmadridtower of luxury in the guest rooms, like emerald-green mar- .com) — housed in the 52-story PricewaterhouseC- ble baths with separate tubs and showers, along with oopers building, not far from the Sheraton Madrid a rooftop pool with a retractable roof, set this property Mirasierra, in the financial district — was chosen to apart from typical airport hotels. .

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