At the very end of March JW Marriott — a member of Marriott Bonvoy’s international portfolio of 30 hotel brands — unveiled its flagship property in Spain’s capital. Located in the cultural quarter of Canalejas and beside the vibrant Puerta del Sol, the luxurious new 139-bedroom arrival is at the heart of the city, well placed for art galleries and theatres.
A former perfumery
The olfactory sense is the first of the five stimulated on a visit to the property, calling to the setting’s heritage. The building itself is a former perfumery, one of the first in Madrid. This unique legacy captures the very essence of the city and is echoed in the hotel’s architecture and design, by the Rockwell Group. Natural materials and a neutral colour palette exude relaxation, alongside the preservation of original features including wrought iron columns from the 19th century. Additionally, JW Marriott Hotel Madrid has collaborated with the Spanish Academy of Perfume to create an aromatic experience par excellence…
Your olfactory journey
Stay here and you’ll be greeted with a traditional violet or rosemary-scented tea in an artisanal ceramic cup upon arrival. You’ll then be invited to choose from one of five ‘Madrid scents’ to be placed in your wardrobe. Peek inside the bedside table and you’ll find stories of the city, designed to relax the mind before sleep. And in the lobby, you can peruse an exhibition of antique perfume bottles, books and essences. There’s also the option to delve further into the theme, with ‘scent training’ workshops in partnership with the Spanish Academy of Perfume; an exclusive opportunity to learn more about the city and your own scent preferences.
Read our guide to the best luxury hotels in Madrid
A place to reflect and recharge
The balance of body, mind and spirit was at the fore in the design of this urban sanctuary. Here mindful moments are curated in special spaces, such as the garden, restaurant, lobby and private terraces. A stay here is a multi-sensory journey that encourages guests to step back from the city bustle and take the time and space to focus on self-care. In addition to the Wellness Area, the hotel provides special in-room experiences allowing guests to enjoy a personalised wellness journey during their stay. Yoga mats are available in all rooms and there’s complimentary access to online video workouts and meditation practices via QR codes. Meanwhile, in the bathroom, a bath menu has calming playlists and customisable lighting which create a private spa experience for each guest.
And onto food…
Michelin-star chef Mario Sandoval has designed a dining and cocktail concept, QU, to stimulate your sense of taste. Dishes elevate and subtly reinvent local flavours, while making use of ingredients grown in the JW Garden, as well as those sourced from local providers. Guests eat from crockery inspired by the beauty of perfume containers. And, in keeping with the wellness philosophy, each meal nourishes more than just the body, engaging all five senses and encapsulating the essence of its home city. The food is complemented by an inventive cocktail menu showcasing aromatic ingredients such as chocolate, rosemary and lemon.
“With each new opening, JW Marriott brings a legacy of luxury hospitality combined with the brand’s foundation of holistic well-being,” said Candice D Cruz, Vice President, Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International. “JW Marriott Hotel Madrid captures the essence of the city and encourages guests to disconnect from stress and distractions so that they can focus on reconnecting with what matters most to them.”
