Set in the heart of the Spanish capital city’s distinguished Salamanca district, the reimagined icon, now Rosewood Villa Magna, represents a milestone for the brand as well as Madrid’s hospitality landscape. Editor Hamish Kilburn takes a look inside…
In July this year, we released the news that the Rosewood Hotels and Resorts brand was to arrive in Spain, taking over the iconic Hotel Villa Magna in Madrid. Months later, and the brand hasn’t wasted any time at all – following a comprehensive refurbishment and redesign, Rosewood Villa Magna has officially opened.
Located on Madrid’s most coveted boulevard, Paseo de la Castellana, amidst the city’s finest shopping, dining and cultural attractions, the historic property has been a beloved local landmark since it originally opened in 1972, evoking a convivial spirit and charm that captivated visitors from both near and far. Newly infused with a dynamic design scheme that honours the original hotel and the vibrant city in which it sits while simultaneously incorporating contemporary style and comforts, as well as elevated amenities, world-class gastronomic experiences and an unmatched standard of service, the revived Rosewood Villa Magna has been carefully conceived to usher in a new phase of ultra-luxury hospitality to the city of Madrid and Spain at large.
Image credit: Rosewood Villa Magna
“At long last, we are thrilled to formally introduce Rosewood Villa Magna as Madrid’s most extraordinary place to stay, gather, dine and delight,” said Charles Morris, Managing Director of Rosewood Villa Magna. “Working together with our brilliant partners, we were careful to preserve the historical nature of the property, while at the same time adding a modern and residential design ethos and intuitive service style that is synonymous with the overarching Rosewood brand. It is a joy to be able to welcome visiting guests and the local community alike to join us as we celebrate this new beginning and the bright future ahead!”
“Madrid is the ideal destination for Rosewood to plant its flag in the beautiful country of Spain.” – Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts.
“With its thriving culture, rich history and robust art and culinary offerings, Madrid is the ideal destination for Rosewood to plant its flag in the beautiful country of Spain and we are especially thrilled to bring the brand to this dynamic city with the relaunch of the iconic Villa Magna hotel,” said Radha Arora, President of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and co-chief development officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “Rosewood Villa Magna is the latest demonstration of the brand’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy: a transformation of a famed 19th century building into a contemporary gathering place designed for both travellers and residents, that further embraces the local surroundings in all aspects of the project from architecture to service to food and beverage experiences. We’re immensely proud to open our doors today and provide a new and discerning destination for our affluential explorers to enjoy.”
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- Image credit: Rosewood Villa Magna
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- Image credit: Rosewood Villa Magna
A team of talented designers completely refurbished Rosewood Villa Magna, showcasing a clear commitment to contemporary design, architecture, landscaping and art, while subsequently channeling the original spirit of the Anglada Palace, the 19th century building which was the first to occupy the hotel’s supreme site, as well as the original Villa Magna hotel.
Renowned Spanish architect Ramón de Arana led the remodel of the building’s striking façade and entryway into the hotel, adding a sense of grandeur to the arrival experience via a striking staircase and a pair of reflecting pools that draw attention to the centuries old, 30-meter-high cedar and carob trees adorning the property. The property’s iconic gardens have been transformed by prolific landscape designer Gregorio Marañón to underscore and maximise the privileged green spaces that the hotel enjoys in the heart of the city. A significant number of trees, bushes and plants, including species original to the old Anglada Palace, have been planted to create distinctive outdoor areas across the expansive grounds, many adorned with pergolas, sculptures, fountains and other furnishings to facilitate myriad settings in which to gather in groups or relax on one’s own. The robust assortment of leafy species further allows for the property to continuously evolve over time, as they adopt different chromatic tones in the different seasons of the year.
Revived interiors have been brought to life by Australian firm BAR Studio. The refreshed accommodations and public spaces pay homage to the original palace and hotel, securing a powerful sense of familiarity and nostalgia amongst legacy guests and local visitors, while infusing a new, contemporary character throughout the building that answers to the expectations of travellers today. True to Rosewood’s guiding A Sense of Place philosophy, wherein the destination inspires each element of the property, subtle references to traditional Spanish architecture, art, design and culture can be discovered through the patterns, fabrics, materials and colour palettes that comprise the hotel. Complemented by the use of stone, iron and glass materials across all of the different rooms, the result is a truly unique visual experience that sets the hotel apart from the existing hospitality landscape. The interior design is complimented by the hotel’s extensive art collection that has been selected and commissioned by English firm ArtLink. Many of the pieces serve to tell the stories of the fascinating personalities who walked the corridors of the original Anglada Palace, while others are reminiscent of Madrid’s overarching aesthetic and Spain’s signature fashions, including a standout, specially commissioned work by Jacky Puzey in the lobby.
Expertly designed to evoke the essence and sentiment of the Salamanca district’s finest private homes, the guestrooms, suites and signature suites are among the crown jewels of Rosewood Villa Magna. The 154 accommodations, consisting of 101 guestrooms, 49 suites and four signature suites, have been built to balance the ambiance of a contemporary Spanish villa with the signature aesthetic of the original Villa Magna hotel. The exterior of the façade frames each guestroom with an avant-garde touch, while inside, a chromatic colour palette provides a muted background to give preference to the room’s large windows overlooking the Paseo de la Castellana, allowing the striking views to take centre stage. The clean, simplistic style is blended with modern luxuries, including bath amenities by Maison Caulieres and the linens by Rivolta Carmignani, and a residential feel for the utmost in 21st century hospitality.
Nowhere is this expert design more evident than within the hotel’s signature suites. Named after and inspired by the original Anglada Palace, Anglada House is the hotel’s largest suite, located on the top floor and featuring two bedrooms, dedicated living and dining rooms, a private gym and sauna and an expansive private terrace. Also located on the top floor is Salamanca House, which includes a bedroom, living room, dining room, dressing room and full bathroom and can be combined with adjacent rooms to create up to a four-bedroom accommodation and the largest private terrace in the capital, stretching 140-square-metres.
The hotel’s four distinct dining outlets come together to create the city’s newest and most discerning destination for inspired culinary experiences, delightful to all palates, for all occasions. Each outlet and offering references local influences, with a focus on unmatched quality and service and menus committed to sustainability and the freshest ingredients. From authentic Spanish tapas on the terraces and in the gardens, to casual business lunches and post-work cocktails, to formal events and celebratory evenings out, there are countless opportunities for guests to enjoy exceptional food and beverage with friends and family.
Headlining the hotel’s food and beverage program as its signature restaurant, Amós is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jesús Sánchez and is poised to quickly establish itself as a highlight of Madrid’s culinary landscape. The thoughtful interior design concept and accompanying terrace, brought to life by Spanish architect Alejandra Pombo, creates a space that is both stunningly special and supremely comfortable in which to enjoy an inspired menu that brings together the unique offerings of Northern Spain’s Navarre community and Cantabrian Sea. Revolving around an eye-catching open kitchen, Las Brasas de Castellana is the hotel’s all day dining destination, serving everything from classic tapas and small plates to more elaborate meals. The dedicated bar and lounge concept, Tarde, was meticulously designed to reflect the warmth and spirit of an English club through an elevated atmosphere that is equal parts cultivated, casual and cool.
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts currently manages 27 one-of-a-kind luxury hotels, resorts and residences in 16 countries, with 25 new properties under development, including hotels in destinations such as Amsterdam, Rome and Mexico City.
Main image credit: Rosewood Villa Magna
