As a writer currently based in Europe, I never really need an excuse to visit Madrid—a place I find myself returning to, both for work and pleasure, several times a year. It’s a city that truly has everything, making it impossible to tire of its seamlessly rationed blend of culture, art, food, and shopping. I return each time—often to the same places—with a familiar sense of comfort, ease, and excitement. However, despite the frequency of my visits to the Spanish capital, I have never quite found accommodations that met all of my requirements: a go-to hotel that effectively marries modern comforts with reliable service, all while providing a unique sense of place. It wasn’t until my recent visit to the new Hotel Montera Madrid, Curio Collection by Hilton that I finally found it.
When planning my trip—a solo journey I embarked on to further explore the culture of one of my favorite European cities—I chose the hotel primarily for its location. It’s situated right in the center of the city, at the intersection of Calle de la Montera and Gran Via, just minutes from the best shopping areas and attractions. While well positioned within the tourist hub of the city, it’s also within close proximity to many of my favorite local restaurants, cafés, and bars in the hip neighborhood of Chueca, from traditional tapas spots to new-age coffee shops. In fact, nearly everything I consider worth visiting in the city is reachable by foot from the hotel’s front door. So, needless to say, it felt like the perfect place to anchor.
Beyond its optimal location, I’ve long admired the way Curio Collection by Hilton develops properties that feel as though they’ve always been a part of the landscape, preserving historic architecture while also incorporating modern elements reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. The result is that each hotel has its own unique feel and identity. Upon walking into Hotel Montera Madrid, I quickly realized this property would be no exception. Situated within a remodeled neoclassical building dating back to 1924, the esteemed designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán was inspired by the dynamic character of the area in which it resides, combining elegant and contemporary styles with a relaxed and welcoming ambiance. As an avid traveler, I prefer a hotel that indelibly connects me to its location and culture. That was precisely the case here, beginning at check-in when I complimented the chic, folk-style uniform donned by the female staff.
“The street we are on is called Montera,” the concierge tells me with pride. It’s a reference to the traditional hat worn with Spanish folk costumes, she continues, a theme that I would soon realize serves as the main inspiration for the hotel’s design. As I was directed up to my room, I noticed the recurring motif throughout the property—on artwork featured in the corridors and public areas, a montera propped on the valet stand in each room, and the hat’s signature weave on the door handles and trimmings of the bed’s headboards. While each of the 93 rooms is capacious, modern, and comfortable, the standout is Curio Collection’s commitment to creating unique and intentional spaces. Much like the building itself, these subtle details are reflective of the city’s culture at large—something I could not wait to get out and explore.
But first, the important fine print: I booked a King Purisima room, which featured floor-to-ceiling windows (a rare luxury in European hotels) that wrapped around the suite, providing ample natural light and direct views overlooking the Gran Via. The room was surprisingly spacious (another rarity in European hotels, I’ve found), with a separate living room area. The king-sized bed (yet another luxurious infrequency) made it nearly impossible to get up in the morning, especially given the blackout shades that lined the windows.
The hotel’s culinary offering also reflected the soulful energy of its surrounding neighborhood. In my experience, hotel restaurants typically approach the undertaking as if they have something to prove or use it as an opportunity to stand out, resulting in a restaurant that often feels woefully out of place. At Hotel Montera Madrid, however, food and beverage is approached with admirable restraint, successfully demonstrating the importance of blending in. From the moment I first tasted the amuse-bouche at the hotel’s restaurant La Braserí, an explosion of flavor and texture indicative of Spanish cuisine, I was immediately reminded why Madrid is held in such high regard as a global culinary destination. The menu leans heavily into local flavors to elevate traditional Madrilenian delicacies and also enhance international dishes, making for a memorable dining experience that perfectly conveys the gastronomic primacy for which Madrid is known.
After a day spent visiting friends and my favorite local staples around the neighborhood, I decided to grab a drink at the rooftop bar, El Cielo de Chicote. At 4pm, the crowd was already buzzing on the lively rooftop, which is lined with scalloped red umbrellas and canopies that flank a small plunge pool. After studying the expertly crafted cocktail menu, I settled on the Tiger Eye, a surprising combination that the bartender described as “strong, smoky, spicy, and sweet” with whisky, dry vermouth, and a cherry infusion made with pepper and banana.
As I sipped slowly and peered out to the panoramic views of the Madrid skyline, I was unable to resist the temptation of a second drink and decided to skip my dinner plans and stay for tapas. Because from where I stood, I had the city of Madrid at my fingertips—what more could I ask for?
