Madrid of the Austrias dressed up in style last night to welcome a new deluxe hotel, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques. The hotel is located within what since the 1990s had been the old Ambassador Hotel. Meliá Hotels International has carried out a thorough renovation of the hotel, recovering architectural features of the old neo-renaissance palace on which the hotel was built while also introducing a more contemporary style.
An icon of luxury, history and art on the "route of Velázquez"
The hotel is located in a building that was once home to the Santo Domingo Convent (which gave its name to the street, the famous “Cuesta de Santo Domingo”) and the palace home of the Dukes of Granada and Ega, patrons of the arts who owned works by Velazquez which were later donated to the Prado Museum. This history has inspired the hotel decoration, in which works by Velazquez's and classical palatial details merge perfectly with a modern interpretation of luxury and local Madrid culture.
Thanks to the extraordinary work done by the architects Álvaro and Adriana Sans, in close cooperation with the General Directorate of Heritage Madrid, and an investment of more than 20 million euros so far, Meliá Hotels International has created a unique hotel that recreates the palace of the ancient Dukes and revives the historic gardens and magical setting of the old stables.
In addition to being a hotel and destination for luxury travellers from all over the world, the Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques aims to become a new social and gastronomic epicentre for the city of Madrid, thanks to its attic terrace with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and the best 360 degree views of the capital, as well as attractive dining options consisting of the restaurants Coroa (24-hour international cuisine) and Montmartre (French and Spanish cuisine and wine), as well as the signature restaurant Dos Cielos Madrid led by the famous Spanish chefs Sergio and Javier Torres.
A long-awaited inauguration
The Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques officially opened yesterday after an event attended by the most important authorities in Madrid and the tourism industry, starting with the Secretary of State for Tourism Matilde Asián, the Director General of Tourism for the Community of Madrid, Carlos Chaguaceda, the Coordinator of Destination Madrid at Madrid City Hall, Miguel Sanz, and the Director General of Tourism for the Balearic Islands, Pilar Carbonell, as well as the Executive Director of the World Tourism Organization, Carlos Vogeler. Also present on behalf of the President of the Community of Madrid, Cristina Cifuentes, was the Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Javier Ruiz.
The Vice President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, Gabriel Escarrer, hosted the event, and in his opening speech thanked the Community of Madrid and the City of Madrid for their cooperation and the "highest standards" seen throughout the renovation of the hotel, which he said, "has restored all the historical and architectural value of an extraordinary building." The senior executive of Meliá was enthusiastic about the result and stressed that "Gran Meliá Palacio de los Duques brings together the essence and know-how accumulated by the Company over its 60 years of history" (an anniversary that was also celebrated at the event yesterday).
The Spanish Tourism Minister highlighted the most outstanding values of the hotel as well as Meliá Hotels International’s vision with this flagship property, that “speaks of history, natural environment and cultural heritage”. Both the Madrid’s City Hall representative, the General Manager of Madrid Destino, and the Regional Head of Economy & Innovation, highlighted Meliá’s constant commitment to improve the city’s luxury tourism offering, and they expressed their pride about Madrid’s potential and positioning within the great luxury segment”.
Within the private sector, there was a large number of personalities from the Spanish hotel industry, together with the senior executives from Exceltur, the Spanish tourism lobby group, led by its President, Jose Maria Gonzalez, and its Executive Vice President, Jose Luis Zoreda, and a large number of partners and friends of Meliá Hotels International in the financial, legal, real estate, service sector and media industry.
The guests were able to visit the facilities at the new hotel and overlooking the spectacular skyline of Madrid from the roof-top terrace, enjoying an event full of surprises including a performance by Carolina Cerezuela and Jaume Anglada, a gospel musical choir, an a cappella group and a jazz band, all accompanied by an exquisite dinner served by each of the three restaurants in the hotel.
