Villa Magna Hotel

Paseo de la castellana 22, 28046 Madrid, Spain

Do it as the diplomats do: when in Madrid, book in to the glossy Villa Magna. Built in 1972 in a somewhat brutalist style, the hotel was given a serious makeover just a couple of years ago. Admittedly, the exterior is still not what you’d call beautiful, but the glam interior makes up for it – rooms are awash with heavy, expensive fabrics, marble bathrooms, massive four posters and huge flatscreen TVs. And in a city where space is at a premium, they are also luxuriously large. Mini tapas are delivered to your room before you slink down to the bar (which also serves good tapas) or to the discrete terraced restaurant, where you can have the likes of the king-sized, meaty grilled scallops, or blushing red lobster. Exceptional service attracts the likes of Bruce Springsteen (who typically reserves the gorgeous penthouse). Add to this that you’re within strolling distance of some of Madrid’s most desirable boutiques at Colon, and it more than ticks all the boxes. AEM. From £250.