Built in 1910, the Ritz Hotel, now the Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid, was soon welcoming illustrious guests, making the capital one of the great European cities.
The hotel was originally designed and built under the supervision of the legendary hotelier, César Ritz. Located in the heart of the city, it has always been a delightful meeting place for both Spanish high society and international guests.
After undergoing the most ambitious restoration in its history, which took three years to complete, it now offers the unique Belle Époque character of the original building. Each of the 120 luxuriously decorated rooms and 42 suites, with handmade carpets, embroidered bedding, and furnishings which are priceless antiques, boasts an elegant, contemporary style.
Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid has become one of Spain’s most innovative culinary venues, with five gastronomic concepts, overseen by three Michelin star chef, Quique Dacosta. With physical and mental wellness in mind, for the first time in its history, the hotel offers the possibility of enjoying an oasis of tranquility in the form of a spa, with a heated indoor pool, a vitality pool, multi-sensory showers, a steam room and a modern gym, with the option of access to personal trainers.
The hotel of the royals
After its restoration, the hotel has preserved the spirit that gave it birth and made it the preferred accommodation of royals, politicians and celebrities. Numerous royal families have stayed here over the decades. One of the most exotic was that of the Maharaja of Kapurthala, and his wife, the young Spanish dancer, Anita Delgado, who he met in 1906, when he came to the capital on the occasion of Alfonso XIII’s wedding. At that time, Spanish society was fascinated by the love story between the dancer and the opulent Hindu prince.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor also stayed at the hotel on numerous occasions after their first visit in 1940. Suite 511-512, their favourite, was always reserved for them. For their part, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace celebrated their honeymoon at the hotel, returning as often as their multiple engagements permitted.
Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia also chose the hotel for his stays in the capital. His protocol established that no one could turn their back to him when leaving the room he was staying in. A wish that the employees promptly complied with, but which caused more than one to stumble, as they were not used to such circumstances.
Anecdotes that make history
Many singers also made this hotel their accommodation of reference when spending the night in the capital. Frank Sinatra did so in 1986, on the occasion of a concert. Dissatisfied with the poor ticket sales, he handed out numerous invitations to the staff.
Actress Ava Gardner stayed for the first time in 1950, for the shooting of a film. Once finished, she stayed in Madrid for over 20 years. And until she bought her own house, she would go back to the hotel every night.
Salvador Dalí and Gala would always go to lunch in the hotel restaurant when they were in Madrid, and the famous scientist, Alexander Fleming, who stayed there in 1948, was so delighted with the Madrid-style tripe prepared for him that he took several containers of this local specialty back with him when he returned home to England.
And among the illustrious guests, we must not forget the Venezuelan businessmen Gustavo and Ricardo Cisneros, who rented the Royal Suite for a whole year at the price of 450,000 pesetas per night. But they did not sleep in it even a single night, as they only used it as an office for their business.
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