Westin Palace Hotel

Standing here, directly opposite the monumental Prado Museum, you are gazing upon a landmark that encapsulates Madrid's early 20th-century grandeur and its enduring spirit of elegance: the Westin Palace Hotel. This isn't merely a place to sleep; it is a living monument, a stage where history has unfolded, and a beacon of Belle Époque splendor that continues to dazzle. Imagine Madrid just over a century ago, a city rapidly modernizing and asserting its place on the European stage. It was King Alfonso XIII himself who, recognizing the need for a truly grand hotel to accommodate the burgeoning international elite and dignitaries attending his upcoming royal wedding, commissioned this magnificent edifice. Opened with much fanfare in 1912, the Palace, as it was then simply known, was an architectural marvel and a symbol of modernity, featuring 400 rooms, all with private bathrooms, and a telephone in every one – unheard of luxury for its time. Designed by Spanish architect Joaquín Otamendi, its grand façade, stretching for an impressive 170 meters along the Carrera de San Jerónimo, speaks of a bygone era of lavish hospitality, perfectly blending with the classical surroundings of the art triangle. As you step inside, you are immediately enveloped in an atmosphere of timeless opulence. The ornate lobby, with its polished marble and intricate detailing, acts as a prelude to the hotel's undisputed crown jewel: "La Rotonda.