Recommendations worth their weight in gold
Among the world's finest hotels, there is one role entrusted with a city's best-kept secrets. A concierge knows Madrid in a way no guidebook ever can. Their insight is shaped by years of conversations with discerning travellers, enduring relationships with the city's finest restaurants and hidden corners, and first-hand knowledge that often reaches them before anyone else. Their role is, in essence, to understand each guest within minutes and recommend exactly what they need—often before they know it themselves.
We spoke with four concierges from some of Madrid’s most renowned hotels and asked them to share their most personal recommendations: the places, experiences and insider tips that are usually reserved for the city’s most fortunate guests.
Borja, Chef Concierge at Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid
“Madrid always has something new to offer. It never stops surprising you, and it never stops making you fall in love. Madrid is simply the city.”
Borja leads the concierge team at Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid—the legendary Ritz that has long been regarded as the city's most elegant address. Having trained in Germany, England, Russia and Italy before returning to the city he has always called home, he believes that being a concierge is not a profession but a way of life: always searching, always learning and always in pursuit of the next perfect recommendation.
1. A Tapas Trail Around El Retiro: A journey through three taverns, each telling a different story about Madrid’s culinary heritage. Begin at Taberna Arzábal with the croquettes and patatas a la importancia with baby Norway lobster. Continue to Deheseo for lomito ibérico and exceptional Iberian ham. Finish at Taberna Laredo with rabbit cutlets and artichokes, if they are in season. There is only one rule: take your time, and accompany every stop with a good glass of wine.
2. Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando: The permanent collection deserves to be explored at an unhurried pace, from its elegant courtyards and galleries to its temporary exhibitions, with Goya’s remarkable engravings among the highlights. But the true hidden gem is the Academy’s historic printmaking workshop, where traditional presses are still used to produce engraved plates using centuries-old techniques.
3. Jazz at La Cátedra, Ateneo de Madrid: Madrid’s iconic Café Central has begun a new chapter within the Ateneo de Madrid, in a space known as La Cátedra. An evening of jazz here, inside one of the city's most historic cultural institutions, is the kind of experience that lingers long after the final note.
Carmen Marchese, Head Concierge at Hotel Santo Mauro
“Madrid is a city best discovered neighbourhood by neighbourhood. Each one has its own personality, its own story to tell, and its own rhythm.”
Travellers from around the world arrive at Santo Mauro, one of Madrid’s most elegant and discreet hotels, housed in a late 19th-century palace in the Almagro district, where they are welcomed by Carmen Marchese, Head Concierge. For Carmen, the role is as rewarding as it is demanding: listening carefully, understanding what each guest is truly looking for, and finding the place that feels as though it was made just for them. The greatest reward, she says, comes when a guest returns with a smile to thank her for something they didn't even know they were looking for.
1. A Slice of Spanish Omelette at Mercado de la Paz: One of Madrid’s traditional food markets, Mercado de la Paz has preserved the character and energy of its neighbourhood for generations. Arrive around noon, as the aperitif hour begins, and take a full lap before deciding where to stop. Carmen’s recommendation is Casa Dani, whose tortilla de patatas has long been considered one of the finest in Madrid and a benchmark for this iconic Spanish dish.
2. Las Salesas Neighbourhood: A neighbourhood with a distinct identity, where luxury is expressed through discretion and individuality. The streets of Barquillo, Almirante and Fernando VI bring together independent boutiques, galleries, cafés and restaurants that invite you to slow your pace and explore. James Tweed, a unique combination of café and antique shop, is one of those unexpected gems discovered while wandering through the neighbourhood’s charming streets.
3. Chamberí: An elegant, residential neighbourhood full of life that many travellers discover almost by chance — only to find it becomes their favourite corner of Madrid. Calle Zurbano and its surroundings bring together embassies, traditional taverns and some of the city’s finest restaurants. For a quiet pause away from the city’s rhythm, El Jardín de Santo Mauro offers a hidden and serene setting where you can experience Madrid’s rare moments of tranquillity.
André Catoira, Concierge at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid
“Madrid is a city of subtle contrasts, where luxury meets simplicity, the historic blends with the contemporary, and true magic is found in the smallest details.”
At the concierge desk of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, we meet André, who has become an ambassador for a city that, in his words, reveals itself through its contrasts. He sees his role as a bridge between visitors and the most authentic side of Madrid — from its iconic landmarks to the hidden corners that no guidebook can uncover.
1. Mantequerías Bravo, Salamanca District: One of those traditional gourmet shops that has gracefully stood the test of time. The best approach is to let the team guide you: they know every product with the familiarity of those who have spent years behind the counter. Visit in the morning, when the atmosphere is quieter and the service feels more personal. The stories shared by the staff are as much a part of the experience as the products themselves.
2. Rincón de Esteban: A restaurant where you can discover the true essence of traditional Madrid cuisine, free from unnecessary embellishments or passing trends. The recommendation is to order the classics and let the house guide you through its own suggestions. Enjoy a relaxed dinner in an unpretentious setting, with a menu rooted in the flavours and traditions of Spanish cooking.
3. Dani Brasserie, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid: One of the city’s most special terraces, with sweeping views over the rooftops of historic Madrid that take on a different character throughout the day. At sunset, when the light turns golden and the city begins to slow down, it is the perfect moment to head up to the terrace, order a cocktail and let the day linger just a little longer.
Miguel Arias, Concierge at JW Marriott Hotel Madrid
“My Madrid is one of personal recommendations, places with soul, and experiences that make visitors feel like locals.”
Luxury hospitality is in the hands of Miguel Arias, who leads the concierge team at JW Marriott Hotel Madrid. After training in Santiago and honing his craft at Mandarin Oriental London, he explains that he can read a person within the first few minutes of conversation and discover exactly what they need — a skill that cannot be taught in any school.
1. SUA, Las Huertas District: One of his most personal gastronomic recommendations. The menu revolves around Basque-sourced meats, which are the true reason to visit SUA. During the week, the quiet and charming table on the back terrace offers the perfect setting to enjoy the full experience.
2. BANCAL: Modern cuisine with Galician roots, set within a former 1930s Tudor-style mansion — a setting that adds an extra layer of character to the gastronomic experience. During the summer months, the garden terrace is the perfect place to enjoy it. The restaurant’s recommendation: its selection of Galician-sourced fish.
3. Casa Ciriaco: One of Madrid’s historic centenary restaurants, where the city’s most traditional cuisine remains wonderfully intact. The cocido madrileño is the main reason to visit, but Miguel always reminds his guests of one important detail: when making a reservation, it is essential to specify that you wish to order the cocido, as it is prepared by request and may sell out. To complete the experience, take a short walk to Terraza Atenas, just a few minutes away, where you can enjoy beautiful views over the city.
