Since the Gran Melia Fenix re-opened many years ago, we wanted to stay there. For some reason we never made it until now. We booked a special rate via Melia's website.
We arrived at Madrid Barajas Terminal 1 with Aer Lingus in the morning and took a taxi to the Gran Melia. Be careful, when you use a taxi from the airport. They try all tricks in the books to cheat you, i.e. take a longer route to the destination, charge a higher tarif or claim you gave them a smaller denomination.
This taxi driver took the longer route and used a higher tarif. I was sceptical, when the meter was at 59 Euro, when we were very near the hotel. Having been to Madrid numerous times - it's one of our favorite cities - we know by now a taxi ride to most hotels should be around 25 to to 35 Euros (ca. 34 USD to 47 USD), depending which route the driver takes and including any surcharges. I was even more puzzled, when he didn't stop at the front of the Gran Melia Fenix, but choose to park on the main road. I knew he was going to try to cheat us. As expected he demanded 59 Euro / ca. 79 USD. We said: "No, that's to much. It should be around 30 (40 USD)." He repeated the number, but soon realized we were aware of how much a fare should be, so he pretended he didn't know the English numbers and scribbled 39 (52 USD)on a sheet. That was agreeable, still slightly higher than usual, but okay.
If you can afford it, contact the hotel and arrange limousine pick up or use public transportation, if you are a repeat visitor and don't have too much luggage. It's cheap and convenient.
We like the Gran Melia Fenix for different reasons.
One is the location. The hotel (Hermosilla 2) is around the corner of Plaza de Colon, the Hard Rock Cafe and Calle Serano, where every luxury brand imaginable is available. The museums triangle is ca. 15 to 20 minutes walk away. Retiro Park is on the way to the museums.
Another reason is the friendly and knowledgeable staff.
We were warmly greeted by the bell boy and brought to the check in desk on the left of the entrance. Since we had booked a Grand Premium Room with Whirl Pool and club lounge access, we were brought to the club lounge on the 7th floor by the bell boy for check in. We had to wait a little bit, because other guests wanted recommendations what to do in Madrid. We were offered coffee, while we waited. Afterwards the check in was quick. To our pleasant surprise the room was ready. We were brought to it on the 6th floor and advised that we had an outdoor Whirl Pool and if the water was too cold, an engineer could try and get the temperature up. Because it was fresh outside, very windy, and I was not feeling especially well (hay fever) we decided to forgo a dip in the Whirl Pool, which is of course sad, but it wasn't too bad, because there was also a Whirl Pool bath tub.
The room itself was large with its own hall way and a big wardrobe. It was classic with a lot of brown tones.
We had our own sofa, a large king sized bed, a writing desk, flat screen TV with regional and international channels including Fox News, DVD player (DVD library is free), mini bar and more storage space as well as a balcony with Whirl Pool.
Our neighbor was a NH hotel, and some guests could look onto the balcony, but not to the Whirl Pool area. It was luxurious with a lot of wood, and in summer sitting outside and also enjoying the Whirl Pool must be romantic.
In our room was also a large pillow and room spray menu available.
The bathroom was large with a separate room for the bidet and toilet, an overhead shower and bathtub combination and double sink. The amenities came from Clarins and included a candle. The tops of the little bottles were red, fitting for the Red Level we were staying on.
The hotel has a restaurant, called Epocque and Dry Cosmopolitan Bar. The public spaces are on the smaller side, but they are all lavishly decorated and very luxurious. There is also a beautiful cupola.
The spa had closed during our stay.
The club lounge has open until 23.00 hours. It is modern, spacious and divided between a restaurant setting and a relaxed corner with a huge sofa and an outdoor terrace. There are also some coffee table books, newspapers and magazines mostly in Spanish available.
Champagne is served all day along soft drinks, tea and coffee.
There is afternoon tea and a cocktail hour, serving all kinds of spirits and appetizers. To our surprise we found caviar at the buffet.
Breakfast was very elegant with cold cuts, bread, smoked salmon, cheese, bread, yogurt and much more. He ordered from the a la carte menu pancakes, which didn't cost additionally.
The lounge is staffed with a Red Level Concierge and waiters. They wear different uniforms, so they can be easily identified.
Of course we had also in room dining with Spanish Tortilla, Omelet, Leche Frita and Creme Caramel. All was delicious. It cost ca. 60 Euro / ca. 80 USD.
After a good nights rest, breakfast and late check out, it was unfortunately time to leave the hotel and the beautiful city of Madrid.
©2012
