The Spanish capital is replete with outdoor attractions, including the Temple of Debod (above), a gift from Egypt in the 1970s. Now that international travel is the norm again, new hotels, such as the Four Seasons and the Thompson, have opened their doors to meetings.
Event Venues, Additions & Renovations
Spain’s first Four Seasons hotel, which opened in 2020, is being showcased more broadly with the return of international tourism. Seven historical buildings make up the 200-room Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, which arguably also is an art gallery, with more than 1,500 pieces on display. Amenities include the rooftop signature restaurant from chef Dani García, a four-story spa and 18,300 square feet of event space.
Covid Rules Rescinded
As of November, visitors to Spain no longer have to follow any Covid-19 entry rules. Travelers do not have to provide proof of vaccination, negative test results or proofs of recent recovery from the virus. The country's mask mandate also has been lifted for indoor and outdoor public spaces. NMG's
country-by-country roundup provides updates around the world.
Another new brand for the country arrived in September in the form of the 175-room Thompson Madrid, which is made up of two historical buildings. The property from Hyatt Hotels’ luxury portfolio features three signature restaurants, one on the rooftop by the pool, and about 9,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space.
The 139-room JW Marriott Hotel Madrid will open in the first quarter of next year in the centrally located Plaza de Canalejas. The property will feature two floors of suites with their own terraces, a lobby bar, a restaurant and “well-being spaces.”
Spain’s value-added tax for meetings has changed. Events are no longer charged VAT if they meet certain criteria. The Madrid Convention Bureau has the details.
Meeting Hotels
There are more than 44,000 hotel rooms in Madrid, across 800-plus hotels. Larger properties in the city include the 915-room Meliá Castilla, 869-room Madrid Marriott Auditorium Hotel & Conference Center, 790-room Novotel Madrid Center, 586-room Riu Plaza España, 473-room Eurostars Madrid Tower, 470-room Westin Palace Madrid, 423-room Princesa Plaza and 412-room NH Collection Eurobuilding.
To find and compare hotels, and send RFPs, visit Northstar Meetings Group’s venue finder (bit.ly/NMGVenues).
- exhibit space, 2.6 million square feet
- number of meeting rooms, 85
- exhibit space, 19,375 square feet
- number of meeting rooms, 45
Futbol Is Life
Soccer-loving VIPs will rave about the new experience available at the
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. Joining with Atlético De Madrid, the hotel is offering tickets to an Atlético de Madrid match in a private VIP area at Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, a guided tour of the club’s museum, a photo opp with the players and a chance to shoot penalty kicks on the field.
Local Currency
Euro
Transportation
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, about 7.5 miles northeast of the city center. Transfer cost to city center:
- By city metro, 3 euros
- By taxi, 30 euros
- By train, 2.6 euros
- Airport Express Shuttle, 5 euros
Power
230 volt
Time Zone
Central European Time (6 hours ahead of ET)
Group Venue
A wide array of modern and contemporary Spanish works are housed at the Museo Reina Sofia on Madrid’s Art Walk. The facility has reorganized its permanent collection, opening in November 2021 with hundreds of new pieces. Several event spaces are available, such as the Garden of Arzábal Reina Sofia, which hosts up to 200 for a dinner.
Contact
Madrid Convention Bureau