I’ve only been to Madrid once before, with an ex-boyfriend in a trip that ended up in disaster and heartbreak (I’ll spare you the tiny violins). So, when the lovely people at the Thompson Madrid By Hyatt invited me to come stay at its newly renovated space, I jumped at the chance to give the Spanish capital a good second go.
After three years of refurbishments, the Thompson was ready to welcome guests to explore its lavish interiors and top tier hospitality. For those looking to explore the beautiful city – already renowned for its blend of culture and cuisine – Thomson offers something rather quite special.
The tasteful room I was staying in was dark and finished in beautiful dark stone. The rainfall shower was the best feature, with a single press button switch then the heavens would open. Our trip began with a lunch entitled ‘The Longest Table’ on the itineraries left in our room, promised to be “an unforgettable dining experience where art and food came together in such a unique way”. The fabulous spread was true to its word. With many local and international artists in attendance, creatives from all fields – fashion, music, architecture – were all brought together for a delightful feast.
Catered by the La Barra de Ultramarines restaurant in the famous Plaza del Carmen square, guests got to know one another over a glass or two (or more) of sangria. I had the pleasure of being sat next Mel Blatt from All Saints who had to listen to my tales about singing Pure Shores on karaoke in a Tokyo dive bar at 4am a few years back. In typical Spanish style the lunch lasted for hours, with many selfies being taken with giant paella dishes that occupied the tables.
After we finished eating, a surprise fashion show commenced, where fresh faced models paraded through the space. The outfits were a series of hotel towelling robes all recreated and reinvented by local fashion designers, making for a fun moment before we all retired to our rooms.
The next morning started early with a Madrid city tour. This was not one of those typical open-top double decker buses found in many major cities, though. With many of the best streets being too narrow and too ancient for a bus to navigate through, the tour would be taken in a range of classic cars. Being a 6”4 human, I was literally double, if not triple, the size of most guests on the tour. But as if like magic, I managed to squeeze into one of the mini motors. For the next couple hours, we explored the city. Best comparable to being inside a game of Super Mario Kart, this whistle stop tour had the high speeds (and excellent driving skills) so all the best spots were ticked off. This included the oldest restaurant in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records: Restaurant Botin dates all the way to 1725.
We all made it back safely to the hotel to take part in Spanish omelette-making workshop led by the hotel’s executive head chef, Iván Jiménez who hails from Venezuela. It was engaging, informative and genuinely fun. On my team I had my lunch bestie Mel who was a once finalist on Celebrity Master Chef and the incredible Luke Day, editor-in-chief of Man About Town. The lesson offered a deeper appreciation for such a staple dish. We ended the session by tasting our own creations, washed down with perfectly paired chilled wines which made even the most questionable of omelettes taste delicious. (I also was quite distracted by the canapés that were also on offer, particularly the anchovies, olive and jalapeño tasters.)
With only a few hours until dinner, we headed up to the Makáá rooftop which gives 360 views of the city. We continued to indulge on incredible tapas including expertly grilled seafood, vibrant seasonal vegetables and inventive sharing plates inspired by cuisines from across the world. Many of the cast of hit Spanish drama Elite were in attendance, meaning the dining experience was populated with beautiful faces all-round.
The evening finished with everyone moving down to the basement level of the hotel for the party at Jack’s Club. The interiors were the most welcoming and felt like home, a cross between Polo Bar in NYC and the Gleneagles golf course in Scotland. All low-dim lighting with warm Chesterfield sofas, it’s a space you can imagine being parked in for hours on end, particularly when the Club’s mixologist is pouring the most divine spicy margaritas.
Overall, this stay at Thompson Madrid was far more than just a hotel visit – it was a curated experience that brought together the best of Madrid’s food, art, and social scene for two days to remember. I would return in a heartbeat.
Photography courtesy of Thompson Madrid.
