Madrid is one of those overlooked cities. Spain's capital is almost always brushed to one side in favour of Barcelona's heady mix of beaches, architecture and art, and nightlife.
Don't get me wrong, I love Barcelona; I lived there for a year; but Madrid has something special that draws me back there time and time again. Somehow it feels more real. More intimate. More like a living, breathing city, and less like a tourist attraction.
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| View of Plaza Santa Ana from the hotel |
As a student I spent a summer in Madrid working for an investment bank. The work was endlessly boring but in contrast, the city had plenty to offer and one by one, I crossed off almost every museum, walking tour, budget restaurant and hidden gem in my trusty Lonely Planet.
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| Madrid |
A few weekends ago, I took a press trip back to Madrid; this time, an opportunity to experience the luxury side of Spain's capital. We stayed at ME Madrid, right in the centre of 'Barrio de las Letras' on Plaza Santa Ana - an incredible building built in the 19th Century with views across one of the city's most popular plazas. We ate in the city's top restaurants, drank in the best bars, had VIP cocktail classes, got special entry into closed off areas of museums and had brunch in a top hotel penthouse. We lived the live of the rich and famous and it was crazy and incredible.
Despite this, the essence of Madrid remained unchanged to me and I can't wait to go back, whatever budget I'm on!
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| Learning to make cocktails |
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| Cocktails at a rooftop bar |
Soph x
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