Madrid Has Finally Stolen The Spotlight From Its Sexy Seaside Sibling, Barcelona

With a bonanza of new luxury hotels, Madrid has finally stolen the spotlight from its sexy seaside sibling, Barcelona.

- John O' Ceallaigh

Pictura is one of two bars at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.

FOR DECADES, BARCELONA has been Spain's unassailable city-break destination. But with notable new and reimagined properties from the likes of Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Rosewood Hotels, plus upcoming debuts from Edition Hotels and JW Marriott, the long-maligned capital of Madrid now boasts serious luxury-travel clout.

The city's current buzz was never a certainty. Four Seasons opened in late 2020 in a grand heritage building just steps from Kilómetro Cero, considered the geographic centre of Spain. That may sound like a prime location, but well-heeled Madrileños, who had long compared the area disparagingly - to Times Square, were bemused. And yet Four Seasons' arrival in the historic district was emblematic of hospitality brands' nascent interest in Madrid, a vote of confidence in a destination underappreciated even by locals.

Clean, modern design abounds at the new Rosewood Villa Magna