Good HR practice within the meetings and events industry – navigating today’s challenges
Next in our series of guest editors, we'd like to introduce HR expert Kate Goodman, a member of the CIPD and a Mental Health First...
Madrid won the World’s Best Meetings & Conference Destination Award at the 2022 World Travel Awards for the fourth year running. Safe to say that if your delegates are meeting in Madrid, your destination knows a thing or two about hosting.
As the most important city in Spain’s financial and industrial sectors and home to 10 universities, let’s find out more about meeting in Madrid.
The culture of Madrid is inspired by its long, historic role in European history. Yet nowadays it has a dominant position in the art and international food scenes, and is known for its fiestas.
The city’s location in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula means it is a hotspot for popular festivals and events. And in the centre of Madrid is the Museo del Prado – widely considered one of the world’s best art museums. Art by renowned Franciso Goya, Hieronymus Bosch, and Diego Velázquez, can all be found here.
As well as visiting Museo del Prado, business travellers in Madrid must also see Gran Via. This is the main tourist and shopping artery in the city centre, home to some great entertainment spots. Visitors have to stop by El Retiro Park, a 118-hectare park with well-manicured greenery, beautiful sculptures, and a rose garden.
Madrid is also home to some fantastic flea markets that can’t be missed. Every Sunday at Plaza Cascorro is El Rastro Market with stalls selling practically everything one could imagine. Locals grab a pint at the local neighbourhood of La Latina after a hard morning’s shopping at the market.
In the central Plaza de Santa Ana, this hotel has 192 bedrooms and is set in an old 19th-century palace. The venue is in the ME by Melia brand and is a 4-star property. It has a rooftop bar with stunning views over Madrid. And the bar serves delicious Mediterranean dishes before transforming into an evening live music spot.
ME Madrid Reina Victoria is located in central Madrid, close to the Museum del Prado and La Puerta del Sol. It is a 20-minute journey to Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD).
Hotel Urban is a five-star Gran Luxe hotel located in the financial, political, cultural and commercial centre of Madrid. It sits at the heart of the “Golden Triangle” formed of Prado Museum, Thyssen-Bornemisza and Fundación Reina Sofia. So, Madrid’s main attractions are certainly within reach. Think the Paseo del Prado, Puerta del Sol, Plaza Mayor and the Retiro Park!
The hotel is only 17 minutes from the nearest airport and a few minutes’ walk from the Sol train station.
Hotel Santo Domingo is a 4-star hotel. It is located in the heart of the city, between the Gran Vía, the Royal Palace and the Plaza Mayor. It is close to the Puerta del Sol, La Latina and Chueca districts. It’s also close to the biggest museums, including El Prado and the Thyssen, and the best shopping area in Madrid.
They offer different multipurpose rooms, perfectly equipped for the organisation of MICE-style events. They have 12 meeting rooms of different sizes, characteristics and capacities. In addition, the 200 rooms available means the guests can stay on-site.
Hotel Villa Real is an exquisite 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Madrid – the Plaza de las Cortes. It lies in front of the Congress of Deputies, a few minutes from the Puerta del Sol. It’s an ideal setting for exploring the ‘Madrid of the Austrians’, and perfect for business stays in the city.
There are 9 meeting rooms with a maximum capacity of 200 cocktail-style. They also have a range of rooms varying from real suites to superior rooms.
Ideally positioned at the centre of the Spanish capital, The Westin Palace, Madrid is located at The Art Walk. It’s only steps away from some of the most prestigious museums in Europe. And it sits in a cultural and artistic area combining literature, entertainment, and some of the city’s best food.
The magnificent building of The Westin Palace is highlighted by an enormous stained-glass dome. And it has long been a centre of Spanish society. The hotel offers 27,447sq. ft of event space to accommodate up to 700 delegates in one of 20 event rooms.
Check out previous winners of the World Travel Awards, here.
Interested in the above hotels for an event of meeting in Madrid? Follow the links in the feature to book.