PRESS

On the so-called Broadway of Madrid stands the marble and light stone structure of Praktik Metropol, a hotel celebrating “quiet, comfortable and modern luxury” in the heart of the Gran Via, a must-stop for any tourist in the city. Admired by none other than Ernest Hemingway and other visiting luminaries, the restored building (fashioned by Gonzalo Paradinas and Joaquín Vega de Seoane of SAU Arquitectos) mixes American and French styles evident in the conserved canopy of cast iron, wood and glass that frames the street-level floor, greeting guests as they first enter the hotel. Just as there are designer bags, watches and suits, Praktik Metropol fancies itself a designer hotel, the vision of “urban archeologist” Lázaro Rosa-Violán and his team at Contemporain Studio, whose work has appeared in the pages of Vogue and Nuevo Estilo. The result is an Art Nouveau residence that flaunts Madrileño elegance even from the streets of Gran Via. Accommodations include single, double and Skyline rooms (of which there are only 3) where you can view Madrid while showering 30 meters above the city. There’s also the adjoining Tapa Tapa restaurant and a homey living room centered around a grand fireplace, perfect for lounging around after a day of strolling through the city.