Unico’s The Principal Madrid opens
Located on the Spanish capital’s grand boulevard Gran Vía, The Principal Madrid is the latest from hotelier and Design Hotels’ Pau Guardans.
As the flagship property from his Unico Hotels group, the palatial building dates back to 1917, housing 76 guestrooms and suites, a restaurant by acclaimed chef Ramón Freiza, a bar and year-round pergola, as well as rooftop terrace and bar with sun deck and sweeping views of Madrid.
The Principal Madrid is the first five-star hotel on the boulevard, aiming to redefine Spanish luxury. Upon arrival, guests enter the heart of the hotel in the form of the sixth floor Ático to be welcomed at the informal reception area while the Ático restaurant, bar and open fireplaces set the social scene. The light-flooded sixth floor affords views of the ornate rooftops over the city, which can be enjoyed year-round from La Pergola.
The interiors of the corner Spanish Renaissance style building celebrate the grand scale of the 20th century style building, with high ceilings, iron railings, large windows and marble floors. Outside, the detailed exterior stands in line with the Art Nouveau and Art Deco facades of its neighbours.“We wanted to capture the era and feel of the grand hotels that were once sprinkled across Europe,” Guardans explains. “Most of them were linked to this concept of ‘traveling without speed’, which is an old concept and at the same time a very modern one. This idea of slow travel, taking advantage of time, truly discovering a location. With The Principal Madrid I want to redefine the Spanish luxury hotel market and create an authentic and holistic experience for our guests.”
A fluid design concept by designer Pilar García-Nieto and Barcelona-based studio, Luzio, creates spaces that seamlessly blend into each other. “We wanted to create a mix of styles: influences of a posh British club, the flamboyance and glamor of a palace in France, and the modern masculinity of a Manhattan loft,” says García-Nieto. The result is an eclectic mix – an elegant and homey retreat for the visiting and Madrilenians alike.
Strong lines and muted colors dominate the guestrooms and suites. Charcoal-hued carpets and sofas are complemented by the cool greys of the fabric wallpaper and bed covers. Mustard yellow benches and design classics like BKF’s Butterfly Chair provide contrasting highlights to the sleek rooms. Not only a design feat, The Principal Madrid offers highlights such as babysitter, personal shopper and fully equipped gym, sauna and the Wellness Suite offering a variety of treatments.
A taste of Madrid will be offered from Catalan chef Ramón Freixa, who will serve modern Spanish food with inventive dishes alongside a full dinner menu. Freixa’s cuisine will also be served on the rooftop terrace, among olive trees and bright red parasols where cocktails will accompany the city-view. Reviving Gran Vía’s reputation as the after-work hotspot, the hotel’s cocktail program will serve classics and new concoctions, set to a DJ-curated soundtrack.
The Principal Madrid is housed a stone’s throw from Puerta del Sol, the Fine Arts Circle, Cibeles and Puerta de Alcalá, as well as renowned museums, shops, boutiques and the oldest theatres in town.
