The Barceló Emperatriz is the definition of an ultra stylish five star palatial boutique hotel. It is inspired by the life and personality of Eugenia de Montijo, a 19th century Spanish Empress, who is also known as the last Empress of France as she was married to Napoleón III. Eugenia was a woman ahead of her time, not only was she a supporter of equality for women and female independence but she had a very refined and sought-after taste in beauty and fashion.
On entering the hotel, I could sense a very feminine touch. By feminine I don’t mean girly as this is a hotel for everybody but a style where the female inspiration is strong. In fact, the Barceló Emperatriz was co-created by selective female guests who offered ideas to improve the hotel’s design and service.
Location of the Barceló Emperatriz Madrid
The Barceló Emperatriz is located in a quiet street off the Paseo de la Castellana and by public transport, Gregorio Marañón metro station is five minutes’ walk away. There are also plenty of buses nearby to take you anywhere in the city. The location is good for both business and leisure travellers and it is close to major tourist attractions in Madrid. It is a mere 300 metres to the Lázaro Galdiano museum, which has one of the best art collections in the city, or the charming Sorolla museum. Football fans can also walk to the world renowned Santiago Bernabéu stadium in about 5 minutes.
The upscale Salamanca district where the hotel is situated, is an area frequented by well off locals more than tourists so the vibe is very different than if you were staying in Gran Via or Callao. Nearby, there are many upmarket restaurants and shops, particularly in Calle Serrano and its surrounding streets, where you will find many designer boutiques to satisfy those travellers with a budget for luxury shopping.
Check-in Experience
The building retains the charm of a 19th Century palace but they did a fantastic job of blending classic features with avant-garde ones. The result is a grand and elegant hotel that feels cosmopolitan, modern, and unique. Eugenia de Montijo’s favourite flowers were violets and she was very keen on the famous violet sweets made in Madrid, which explains the violet palette of colours you can observe throughout the hotel. There is also a sky of violets by the lobby welcoming guests as a nod to the empress love for these flowers.
We arrived to the hotel where a kind member of staff invited us to take a seat to complete the check-in. By the lobby there was free popcorn, fresh water, and candy so my little one of course helped herself to some sweets! The room was ready and we made our way to the second floor.
The Room at Barceló Emperatriz Madrid
On entering the room it felt airy, stylish and spotlessly clean. Whoever is in charge of the housekeeping surely has top standards as it was impeccably clean every day of our stay. The colour palette of the room was very soft and it made for a relaxed atmosphere. The bed had pillow cases embroidered with the initials E.M. for Eugenia de Montijo and silky soft sheets.
There was a pillow menu on offer too and the room was equipped with a Smart TV, offering a wide range of international TV programmes, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi. The beautiful marble-effect bath had fresh flowers, flattering lighting and every little luxury you could wish for. It offered a separate toilet as well as a separate rain forest shower and a big bathtub.
The Food Offering at Barceló Emperatriz Madrid
Breakfast at the Mustis restaurant on the ground floor was a lavish affair. The food was very fresh,with not only freshly squeezed orange juice available but also a wide variety of fresh smoothies. I loved the green one with celery, kiwi and apple and my toddler went for a banana smoothie. There are churros, Ibérico ham, organic yoghurts, cereals, pastries, cheeses, meats, fruits and you can also order eggs and pancakes from the a-la carte menu. After the delicious breakfast, we visited the roof terrace which has a small pool, a bar and very good views to the Paseo de la Castellana.
Ours was a mum and daughter trip and we left the hotel feeling like we had just been in a very wonderful and stylish place which can be described as a home away from home. The Barceló Emperatriz made for a very pleasant stay in Madrid and staff did exceed all expectations when going the extra mile on providing a truly 5-star experience. Staying here while visiting this vibrant and cosmopolitan city will surely make for a very unforgettable experience.
Book your stay at the Barceló Emperatriz here
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Amancay Tapia is a freelance journalist and filmmaker. She writes regularly for The Independent, Metro Online or the HuffPost, as well as running her own lifestyle website The Lady of The World.
