Prestige Madrid - Citibank MalaysiaorIoL BALAGuEr Hailing from catalonia, this world-class pastry...

Intro Blah Blah LUXE Insider LUXE Loves LUXE Loathes Drab vs. Fab LUXE Itineraries1 LUXE MADRID

Prestige

Madrid

Long overshadowed by its Gaudi-er sibling Barcelona, Madrid has slowly but surely blossomed into a charming city in its own right, as sophisticated as it

is fun, as welcoming as it is exciting, and with passion enough to prove it’s the capital for good reason.

With Picasso blue skies, world-renowned museums, legendary nightlife and a skyrocketing culinary

and shopping scene, you might even argue that Madrid reigns supreme. Now all that’s left to do is set

foot in the reina Sofia museum and ask – Miró, Miró, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?

The cult pocket city guides and mobile apps for the busy, sophisticated travelerwww.luxecityguides.com

Citi presents LUXE City Guides


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blah blah

Best time to visit is spring and

autumn (May is tops), summer is

brick-oven hot and the whole city

shuts down in aug, while winter

is cold and clear

Barajas airport to town: around

30 mins / €25 by taxi

Taxis are plentiful, just raise your

hand. The Metro is fast, efficient,

and all trips are €1

real Madrid matches are Sep-

May (note fútbol is a religion,

insult it at your peril), and feast

day of San isidro (15 May) is

bullfighting hell

almost all shops are shut for

lunch from approximately 2-5pm

and closed on Sundays (except

in the Sol district and on the 1st

Sunday of the month)

Madrileños tend to dress up, so

ditch the flip-flops

Many of the exciting new

restaurants are in the suburbs,

beyond old Madrid, so get out

there and eat

Smoking is supposedly

banned in public places, but

unfortunately the rule is seldom

actually enforced

Madrid is safe, but beware the

odd rogue pickpocket

rush hour is 9-10am, 6-8pm and

2-4am on weekends

You’ll need to show photo id if

paying by credit card

don’t wait for waiters, wave at

them politely – just don’t expect

them to be polite back to you

international country code is +34,

always add 91 for local calls

in an emergency, dial 112


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Baruc corazóN

lUXE insidEr

Madrid-based fashion designer Baruc corazón has had a long

and illustrious career in fashion and design – he previously

taught at the prestigious art institute of chicago, and worked

at international firms like Loewe and Hermès, before breaking

out to launch his own clothing line. The Baruc corazón

collection is a self-titled ‘statement’ of style and originality,

made with the sophisticated clothing connoisseur in mind.

www.baruccorazon.com


Prestige

Baruc corazóN

lUXE insidEr

1) What’s the best local delicacy in Madrid?

The churros and picatostes (fried bread) for breakfast, or to end a long night the cocido madrileño

(the typical stew of Madrid) and another version, the cocido maragato. For cocktails, historical

Le Cock Bar, or the sandwiches and champagne cocktails at Embassy. i love the huevos rotos

(broken eggs) at Casa Lucio and the arroz ciego (blind rice, a sort of paella) of Samm, and the

seafood at El Pescador – they say that Madrid is the best port in Spain, even though it has no sea!

www.barcock.com • www.embassy.eswww.casalucio.es • www.marisqueriaelpescador.net

2) What are your three favorite shops in Madrid?

Portuondo Wakonigg, for its winning combination of classic antiques, furniture and conceptual

art. Elena Benarroch, for the best fur craftsmanship, incredible amber pieces by Felipe Gonzalez,

and jewels designed by artist adolfo Barnatán. Casa Hernanz, for the best espadrilles, worth

braving the queue of tourists…

www.jorgeportuondo.com • www.elenabenarroch.eswww.alpargateria-casahernanz.com

3) Where do you go to get clothes tailored or bespoke?

Normally i do it in my showroom – since i am a designer, i have to try everything myself

before selling – that is the best guarantee. otherwise, Pedro Muñoz is a traditional tailor that

stays true to classic and casual styles, and there is also some new bespoke tailoring in places

like Ertl & Cohn or Knack Men.

www.sastreriapedromunoz.com • www.ertlandcohn.comwww.knackmen.com


Prestige

Baruc corazóN

lUXE insidEr

4) What is your favorite neighborhood for a day of shopping?

on Calle Génova there is an interesting mix of shops, art galleries, showrooms and delicatessens.

The street Blanca de Navarra has florists, shops and charming café La Vaquería Suiza, while

calle de orfila has Marlborough Gallery and Soledad Lorenzo. other favorites for shopping

include Argensola and Fernando VI, both offering a variety of boutiques…

www.lavaqueriasuiza.com • www.marlboroughgallery.comwww.soledadlorenzo.com

5) What are 3 of your favorite restaurants?

Nikkei225, for toro usuzukuri, sea urchin ceviche, and nigiri criollo.

Sudestada, for cua Mem (Vietnamese spring rolls with crab and pork) and red curry with beef

cheeks. Julián de Tolosa, for perretxicos in season, white asparagus, hearts of Tudela, and the

best, roasted in wood-fired grill steak!

www.nikkei225.es • www.sudestada.euwww.casajuliandetolosa.com


Prestige

Hotel

lUXE lovEs

TABErNA MATrITuM

This cozy, warm and woody vinoteca just

minutes from Plaza Mayor boasts an

extensive menu of Spanish wines and a

selection of palate-pleasing tapas. The

waiters are knowledgeable and speak

English, and the in-house sommelier can

help with pairings too.

Cava Alta, 17 / M: La Latina / +34 91 365

8237 / closed Mon-Wed lunch www.matritum.es

Bar

CASA dE MAdrId

For a taste of old Madrid, one of the seven

uniquely themed suites at this guesthouse

tucked inside a c.18th building will do very

nicely. With a sumptuous home-away-from-

home feel, the lodgings are decorated with

hand-painted murals, gorgeous linens,

antiques and art, plus there’s a breakfast

salon and charming library too.

2/F / Arrieta, 2 / M: Ópera / +34 91 559 5791 www.casademadrid.com


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HoTEL urBAN

The sleek, modern rooms at this

design-conscious hotel are only topped

by the truly excellent public spaces,

including the rooftop pool, La Terraza

lounge, Glass bar and Europa deco

restaurant. Book suite duplex rooms

for unrivalled city views.

Carrera de San Jerónimo, 34 / M: Sol /

+34 91 787 7770www.derbyhotels.com/en/hotel-urban

Hotel

lUXE lovEs

QuINTANA 30

Where market fresh produce meets

traditional Basque cooking, Quintana

30 is Miguel Ángel Muñano’s popular

neighborhood jewel, consistently

delivering dishes that put pricier,

fancier establishments to shame.

Quintana, 30 / M: Ventura Rodriguez / +34 91 542 6520 / closed Sun

Dining

THE LAB rooM

This sleek grotto of indulgence has

swimming and hydrotherapy pools,

aromatherapy showers, hammam, gym,

massages, facials, waxing and even

a barbershop, so you can stay trim,

taut and pretty.

Occidental Miguel Angel Hotel / Miguel

Angel, 31 / M: Gregorio Marañon / +34 91 452 0523

www.thelabroom.com

Spa

SErGI AroLA GASTro

For an intimate dinner that’s an all-

night affair, head straight to this adria-

trained chef’s two Michelin-starred

restaurant, set in a modern earth-

toned tunnel and serving up staggering

flavors and precise techniques with

just three prix-fixe menus.

Zurbano, 31 / M: Rubén Dario / +34 91 310 2169 / closed Sun-Mon / set menu / jacket required, tie suggested for men

sergiarola.es

Dining


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orIoL BALAGuEr

Hailing from catalonia, this world-class

pastry perfectionist has an impressive

list of accomplishments, including

‘Best dessert in the World 2001’ and

‘Best Pastry chef in Spain 2008’. aside

from chocolates, cakes and pastries,

oriol is known for unique, one-off

creations, and delights in bespoke

chocolate work too.

Jose Ortega y Gasset, 44 / M: Lista /

+34 91 401 6463 www.oriolbalaguer.com

Dining

lUXE lovEs

TrIáNGuLo dEL ArTE

You’ve hit the art jackpot, so buy yourself

a Paseo del arte (see drab vs Fab) and

spend a day browsing Madrid’s big name

museums: must-see national art museum

The Prado for Spanish Masters, modern

art mecca reina Sofía for Spanish

Modernists, and the former private

collection at Thyssen-Bornemisza for

exquisite highlights in between.

Museo del Prado / Paseo del Prado / M: Atocha / +34 91 330 2800 / 10am-8pm /

closed Sun / go between 2-4pm or after 6pm and avoid on weekends

www.museodelprado.es

Museo Reina Sofia / Santa Isabel, 52 / M: Atocha / +34 91 774 1000 / 10am-9pm Mon-

Sat, 10am-2.30pm Sun / closed Tue www.museoreinasofia.es

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza / Paseo del Prado, 8 / M: Banco de Espana / +34 91 369

0151 / 10am-7pm / closed Mon www.museothyssen.org

Activities

JoSé ALFrEdo

Sink into a velvet green sofa in this

plush, deco cocktail den, a favorite

among the city’s scene-seekers for its

moody ambiance as well as its eclectic

drinks menu, which offers the best in

Madrid’s mixology.

Silva, 22 / M: Callao / +34 91 521 4960 / 6pm-2.30am Mon-Thurs, 8pm-3am Fri-

Sat, 10pm-2.30am Sun

Bar

MErCAdo dE SAN MIGuEL

By day, this traditional market is home to

stalls of vendors selling everything from

produce to pasta to pastries, with the

scene much the same as it was when the

market opened in 1916. But by night, the

lively halls transform to accommodate a

c.21st scene, with locals and visitors alike

gathering for tapas, wine and beer.

Plaza de San Miguel / +34 91 548 1214 /

open 10am-midnight Sun-Wed, 10am-2am Thu-Sat

mercadodesanmiguel.es

Activities/Dining


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CASA LuCIo

This traditional, old school tasca is a

Madrid institution, serving up hearty

castilian fare to locals for over 30

years. The menu consists of classics

like suckling pig and roasted lamb,

but the huevos estrellados (broken

eggs mixed with potatoes) alone have

garnered a loyal following and are not

to be missed.

Cava Baja, 35 / M: La Latina / +34 91 365

3252 / closed Sat lunchwww.casalucio.es

Dining

lUXE lovEs

LA TrAINErA

iberico ham is the only meat you’ll find

on the menu at this marine-themed

restaurant, which sticks to what it does

best: cooking the city’s freshest fish

and choicest seafood to a devoted and

rowdy crowd. Extremely popular, so

book ahead.

Lagasca, 60 / M: Serrano / +34 91 576

8035 / closed Sun www.latrainera.es

Dining

JIMMy’S SCooTEr

a fabulous warehouse stocked full of

truly dapper European and Spanish

fashions mainly for gents, but with

a lady’s selection too. Plus, all of the

furniture and objects in store (both

new and vintage) are up for sale,

making this a good spot to rummage

for home ware and décor.

Villalar, 11 / M: Banco de España /

+34 91 435 3460www.scooterhombre.com

Shopping


Prestige

BuLLFIGHTS

Torturing animals for human

pleasure has really got to stop

SIESTA

Everything closing in the middle

of the day for at least three hours

“MAñANA, MAñANA”

if you need it today, good luck…

MEAT, MEAT, MEAT

anyone seen any

fresh vegetables?

lUXE loathEs


Prestige

BALLooNING

Taking a tourist-filled coach bus an

hour out of town to see Segovia’s

marvelous medieval fortresses and

gothic cathedrals can be wearing,

so why not consider seeing the

stunning ancient spires from above,

on a magical hot air balloon flight with

Ski-Kamel Sportour?

www.skikamel.com

drab vs. Fab

CooKEry CLASSES

Taking home photographs of stellar

Spanish cuisine is only half the story,

instead how about signing up for a

cooking class with Alambique and

bringing home first-hand knowledge

and recipes for all those authentic

flavors? classes are in Spanish, but

interpreters can be arranged.

www.alambique.com

CITy SIGHTSEEING

Why wander the wonderful streets

of Madrid with your head down

in a map when you could have the

experts at Context Travel arrange

personalized art, culture, and museum

walking seminars.

www.contexttravel.com

ArT PASSPorT

Queuing outside each of the three

museums in Madrid’s famed art

Triangle (made up of The Prado, the

Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the reina

Sofia) is a huge waste of valuable

time. Purchasing a Paseo del Arte

at any of the three museums, which

also gains you entry to the other two,

means you spend maximum time

looking at the art!

Body CLoCK

Fighting the Madrileño way of life

is frankly a pointless and painful

endeavor; instead just go with it by

having lunch at 2pm, dinner at 10pm,

cocktails at midnight and dancing at

2am. remember, in Madrid, it’s always

siesta, then fiesta!


Prestige

roMANCE

one of the most passionate cities on the

planet, Madrid is the capital of siestas,

fiestas, wining and dining, and has

perfected the lifestyle of lie-ins and late

nights. For a special occasion, however,

rise at dawn and have your hotel pack you

a breakfast, then slip out the door and fire

up for a romantic hot-air balloon flight

with Ski-Kamel Sportour (see LuXE

Loves). Watch the sun rise as you float

over Madrid’s woods or Segovia’s ancient

spires, and cherish that unbeatable

scenery before you land back on firm

ground. Since it’s still early, why not take

a morning dip in the hydrotherapy pools

at urban oasis The Lab room (see LuXE

Loves)? refreshed after your swim and

shower, step outside now to see the city

finally waking up, and head on to your

pre-booked table at La Trainera (see

LuXE Loves), a Madrid seafood institution

serving up the freshest catch to a loyal

crowd of locals. Following lunch, it’s time

for a siesta, so taxi back to your suite

duplex at Hotel urban (see LuXE Loves),

and perhaps pull up a deck chair by the

pretty rooftop pool pre or post nap.

rested, it’s now a short stroll to antiques

hub El rastro, also an excellent way to

sightsee old Madrid while you pick up

some pieces for the mantel back home.

don’t miss the Nuevas Galerías in a

two-storey courtyard, home to a treasure

stash of c.19th -c.20th antiques and

objects. as night falls, put the purse away

and walk past Plaza Mayor to settle in

for supper at intimate vinoteca Taberna

Matritum (see LuXE Loves), where the

warm, woody interior sets the perfect

scene for a bottle of wine and a few plates

of traditional Spanish tapas to share.

The night is still young, so onwards to sip

cocktails and enjoy magical city views on

your hotel rooftop at La Terraza.

lUXE itinErarY


Prestige

STyLE

Madrid’s style scene is laidback in

comparison to catwalk glam sister cities

Milan and Paris, but as any Balenciaga

and Blahnik lover will know, Spanish

fashion talent is second to none. So dress

to impress and set off for brunch at the

Terrace and Gardens at The ritz, where

the city’s most stylish perch in wicker

chairs and savor Spanish tapas and

international dishes. From there, it’s a

15-minute stroll to the shops at Salamanca

North, bound to fill every shopper’s

basket with its variety of luxury labels

and indie treasures. Schedule stops at

home grown labels Cristina Castañer for

awesome espadrilles, Amaya Arzuaga

for sculptural day and eveningwear, and

oriol Balaguer (see LuXE Loves) for a

mid-retail chocolate shop, and peruse

the pastry master’s unique creations that

would also make great gifts. as you head

into the afternoon most shops will close

for a few hours, so it’s a good thing you’ve

booked an appointment with Miguel

Palacio for finely tailored women’s wear,

and Baruc Corazón (see LuXE insider) for

crisp, classic men’s shirts. if you’re feeling

weary, taxi next to Chi Spa for a relaxing

and recharging East-meets-West massage

before you make your last shopping

stop at Jimmy’s Scooter (open from

4.30pm, see LuXE Loves) for fabulous

European clothing as well as new and

vintage homeware finds. You’ve worked

up an appetite by now, so make for your

reserved table at Quintana 30 (see LuXE

Loves), a neighborhood staple delivering

delicious, authentic Basque flavors, and

simply unmissable oven-baked cod. imbibe

cocktails with the city’s hippest at deco-

inspired mixology den Jose Alfredo (see

LuXE Loves), until finally it’s back to your

sleek suite at the ME Madrid, where you

can take nightcaps and 360-degree city

views at rooftop terrace The Penthouse.

lUXE itinErarY


Prestige

CuLTurE

With its rich history, formidable art,

and wonderful food, Madrid boasts a

colorful culture that every visitor should

experience. Casa de Madrid (see LuXE

Loves) will transport you back in time,

with just seven unique suites housed in

a c.18th building, each lovingly appointed

with old-world ephemera. after taking

breakfast in the salon, head out for a

walking tour of old Madrid along calle

de Toledo and calle Mayor, ticking off

Basilica San Francisco el Grande, with

the largest dome in Spain and a chapel

painted by Goya, Palacio real, the official

residence of the Spanish royal Family, old

town hall and former prison Casa de la

Villa, and c.16th renaissance castle Casa

de Cisneros. From here, it’s but a block to

lunch inside the iron and glass façade of

the iconic Mercado de San Miguel (see

LuXE Loves), where dozens of vendors

sell fresh produce, cheese, wine and tapas

to busy locals. it’s onwards now for an

afternoon in the renowned art Triangle,

starting at the national Museo del Prado

(see LuXE Loves). Purchase a Paseo del

arte (see drab vs Fab) and zip through

to admire the works of Goya, Velazquez

and El Greco, then head next to Thyssen-

Bornemisza, housing a former private

collection with standout old Masters and

impressionist pieces, and finally to the

Museo reina Sofia for the pantheon of

Spanish modernists from dali to Miró to

Picasso. after a day spent touring the

grand past, get firmly acquainted with

present-day Madrid via its serious food

scene, and enjoy a much-anticipated meal

at two Michelin-starred top table Sergi

Arola Gastro (see LuXE Loves), where

super chef Sergi serves course after

course of reinvented Spanish cuisine,

pairing traditional ingredients and flavors

with molecular, modern techniques. Be

warned however that dinner chez Sergi

will be a several hour-long affair, and it

will be well past midnight when your bill

finally arrives. Buenas Noche!

lUXE itinErarY


Prestige

roMANCE

Ski-Kamel Sportour (see LUXE Loves)

The Lab Room(see LUXE Loves)

La Trainera(see LUXE Loves)

Hotel Urban(see LUXE Loves)

El Rastro Ribera de Curtidores, 21 /

www.elrastro.org

Nuevas GaleríasRibera de Curtidores, 12 /

www.antiguedadesnuevasgalerias.com

Taberna Matritum (see LUXE Loves)

La Terraza Hotel Urban (see LUXE Loves)

thE EssEntials

STyLE

Terrace and GardenThe Ritz Madrid / Plaza de la Lealtad /

+34 91 701 6767 / www.ritzmadrid.com

Cristina CastañerClaudio Cello, 51 / +34 91 578 1890 /

www.castaner.com

Amaya Arzuaga Lagasca, 50 / +34 91 426 2815 /

www.amayaarzuaga.com

Oriol Balaguer (see LUXE Loves)

Miguel Palacio1/F / Monte Esquinza, 24 / +34 91 319

4670 / by apt only / www.miguelpalacio.com

Baruc Corazón (see LUXE Insider) / Plaza Mayor, 30 /

+34 63 843 7302 / www.baruccorazon.com

Chi Spa Conde de Aranda, 6 /

+34 91 578 1340 / www.thechispa.com

Jimmy’s Scooter (see LUXE Loves)

Quintana 30 (see LUXE Loves)

Jose Alfredo (see LUXE Loves)

ME Madrid Plaza de Santa Ana, 14 / +34 91 701

6000 / www.memadrid.com


Prestige

CuLTurE

Casa de Madrid (see LUXE Loves)

Basilica San Francisco el Grande Gran Vía de San Francisco, 1

Palacio RealCalle de Bailén /

www.patrimonionacional.es

Casa de la Villa & Casa de CisnerosPlaza de la Villa, 4-5

Mercado de San Miguel (see LUXE Loves)

Museo del Prado (see LUXE Loves)

Thyssen-Bornemisza (see LUXE Loves)

Museo Reina Sofia (see LUXE Loves)

Sergi Arola Gastro (see LUXE Loves)

thE EssEntials


Prestige

YoUr lUXE notEs

Prestige Madrid - Citibank MalaysiaorIoL BALAGuEr Hailing from catalonia, this world-class pastry...

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