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When talking about the greatest art museums in the world - the best of the best - the list isn't very long at all. Everybody knows about the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, the Louvre in Paris, and the Met in New York, of course, but the slightly lesser-known Museo del Prado in Madrid is as worthy as any of these to vie for the title of world's number one. With more than 1,300 paintings and countless sculptures, drawings, and other objects on display, the Prado has one of the finest collections of European art to be found anywhere. Priceless works by artists such as 17th century Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, the 16th and 17th century Italian master and roustabout Caravaggio, and Dutch legend Rembrandt (1606-1669) are all on display in the museum's handsome galleries, which date back to its founding in 1819. Not surprisingly, Spanish artists are well represented, with works from Diego Velázquez, El Greco, and my personal favorite, Francisco Goya, whose dark period speaks to an endless personal wellspring of emotional depth. For a breath of fresh air after wandering among the masterworks, take a stroll through the adjacent Real Jardin Botanico and try to discover where those amazing artists got their inspiration. Guests at the nearby Westin Palace, Madrid will appreciate the world of fine art to be found under this one historic roof.
Recently in Madrid Category
MoreArt for the Ages at Madrid's Monastery of the Barefoot Royals
Wednesday July 23, 2008
Sometimes you have to travel to some unusual places to experience fine art. Such is the case in Madrid, where some of the finest paintings, tapestries, and sculptures just happen to be housed in El Monasterio de las Descalzas Reales (literally, the Monastery of the Barefoot Royals). The breathtaking 16th century building was the former palace of King Carlos I and Isabel of Portugal, whose daughter, Joan, founded an order of Franciscan nuns and a retreat for noble women in the space in 1557. In the centuries that followed, the order accumulated some of the finest art in Europe, all while restricting visitor access. Since residents took a vow of poverty, the collection was a rare glimpse of tremendous riches in their otherwise destitute lives. To bring in some much-needed revenue, however, the galleries, which include works by Brueghel the Elder and tapestries based on Rubens drawings, were finally opened to the public in 1960, and today visitors gather to gaze upon some of the finest art in Spain. Guests at the Westin Palace, Madrid or the Sheraton Santa Maria de El Paular might enjoy a tour through this most fascinating convent art collection.
Starwood Insider - Niall Twamley - Sporting History in Madrid and Barcelona
Monday May 19, 2008
Niall Twamley is the Branded Experience Analyst at the Starwood Cork CCC office. This week, he takes us to Spain, then to Germany for some sporting history.
In many of the world's major cities, sports venues are major tourist attractions. In many parts of the world, football (soccer) fans can visit the iconic venues where their heroes of past and present have played for sporting glory. Many of the more famous English and Spanish clubs operate museums at their grounds where the faithful can relive past glories and get up close and personal with each club's crown jewels: all their championship trophies.
In Spain, Real Madrid and FC Barcelona incorporate their club museums with tours of their iconic stadiums which have played host to many past glories. Guests at the Westin Palace, Madrid or the Le Meridien Barcelona can add either of these sporting theatres to their itineraries.
Eating Like a Spanish King in Madrid
Tuesday April 22, 2008
The Westin Palace in Madrid was built in 1912 under orders of King Alfonso XIII, so it seems fitting to eat like royalty while staying there. Breakfast under the hotel's grand rotunda will help set the mood, and after a visit to the Prado (perhaps taking advantage of this offer) and a siesta, head to Casa Lucio, a favorite of the royal family for 30 years — and a great place for some celebrity spotting. Their signature dishes include huevos estrellados, "broken eggs" served over french fries, and the sizzling steak solomillo that's making you drool in the video.
Or perhaps you prefer culinary royalty. In that case, make a reservation at La Terraza del Casino, the Casino de Madrid's Ferran Adria-run restaurant. The food is quite elegant -- as is the space itself, a blend of modern and classical elements which nearly distract from the beauty on the plate. And if you're able to score a reservation, Pan de Lujo is currently one of the hottest restaurants in town, catering to the cultural elite with an Asian-influenced room and fusion menu. Reservations are absolutely required.
Dining in Old Madrid
Tuesday December 4, 2007Madrid is one of the classic cities of Old Europe, full of important architectural and cultural sites. But did you know it's also home to the world's oldest restaurant? Casa Botín is certified by the Guinness Book of World Records — it opened in 1725. Ernest Hemingway was a frequent diner (he declared it the best restaurant in the world; although I'd say it's been surpassed by a few places since then), and Goya was rumored to have been a dishwasher before he broke out as a painter. It's just a few minutes away from The Westin Place, Madrid.
Botín still uses centuries-old cast-iron and stone ovens to cook its signature dishes, cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig) and cordero asado (roast lamb), delivered to your table on the same earthenware platters they were cooked on. During dinner, strolling musicians known as tuna play for diners. The restaurant's four floors tend to be filled with mostly tourists, but don't let that put you off; the food is worth the attention, and locals right up to the mayor and president of Spain are known to drop in for dinner. Order a bottle of wine and make yourself at home.
Interested in seeing a bit more of what Madrid can offer? Check out this food and wine tour of the city; you'll eat well and drink quite a bit for just €59 a person.
Starwood Insider - Niall Twamley - Adventures in Madrid
Monday October 1, 2007Niall Twamley is the Branded Experience Analyst at the Starwood Cork CCC office and thelobby.com's offbeat expert. Today he shares with us some adventures from Madrid, Spain.
I visited Madrid 4 years ago and stayed at the wonderful Westin Palace hotel and enjoyed the sumptuous breakfasts each morning. On the day we were leaving, my companion and I made the mistake of having breakfast one last time. We were a bit late leaving the hotel and everything that could go wrong did. We missed 2 connections on the subway and ended up missing the morning plane back to Ireland. We were rebooked on to the evening flight out and had to find somewhere to amuse ourselves for the day.
We ended up in the Prado Museum which fell off our radar during the trip because of the queues during the weekend. As it was a Monday morning we sailed in and experienced one of the best art collections in Europe. Since then we both have been devotees of "El Greco" visiting an exhibition of his paintings in London and his birthplace on the island of Crete in Greece. In the end having breakfast opened up a whole new world of artistic understanding.
Starpick the Westin Palace, Madrid
Friday August 31, 2007September is a perfect time to visit Madrid. The weather is warm and beautiful, the tourist crowds of August have gone back to work, and there are plenty of great cultural activities going on throughout the city. As it happens, the Westin Palace, Madrid is one of this week's participating Starpicks properties, offering last-minute rates of at least 20% to 30% off regular rates for stays during the next two weekends, and Starpoints with each booking.
A relaxing weekend in this Madrid landmark, with its enormous stained glass dome, luxurious amenities, and exquisite works of art (pictured), might be just the thing to welcome the autumn season. While in Madrid, you might want to gaze at the impressive Goya collection at the nearby Museo Nacional del Prado, take a leisurely stroll through the adjacent Parque del Retiro (Gardens of the Pleasant Retreat pictured here in this video), or try your hand at flamenco dancing at the legendary club Corral de la Moreria. At the end of the day, retreat to the luxuries of the Westin Palace and see why it's been one of Madrid's premiere properties ever since it was built at the direction of King Alfonso XIII in 1912. Visit Starpicks today and book a last-minute weekend to remember.
Get Your Garamond On in Madrid
Thursday July 26, 2007
The design motif is medieval at Garamond, one of Madrid's trendiest nightclubs, but don't show up wearing a suit of armor. Instead, don your finest downtown duds to mingle with some of the most fashionable denizens of this always-stylish city. While you'll find plenty of young and beautiful people, Garamond tends to draw a slightly older, more professional crowd who come to sip high-end cocktails and dance to the latest in Spanish and European club music. While Garamond is clearly a classy joint, there's none of the snooty attitude associated with "velvet rope" establishments in other cities. Instead, you'll find the same warm Spanish spirit that you'd encounter elsewhere in Madrid. Revelers are known to dance until 6:00 a.m., but I've never quite been able to stay up that late myself. Whenever you conk out, it's a short cab ride to the Westin Palace, Madrid. Enjoy a good night's sleep, so you can dance another day.
[image via nytimes.com]
Starpick The Westin Palace, Madrid
Friday June 8, 2007
Thanks to discount airfares, flying to Madrid from the United Kingdom and continental Europe has never been easier. So for a quick weekend getaway at a posh hotel, this is the perfect time to take advantage of Starpicks for a stay at the Westin Palace, Madrid. The 1912 landmark hotel is on the Conde Nast Traveler Top Hotels list and has a location within quick walking distance of the Prado, the Reina Sofia Art Center, the Botanical Gardens and the Thyssen Museum. Inside the hotel, there are over 400 rooms, three restaurants and room views overlooking historic Madrid. Starpicks discounts for this weekend mean that your stay will be discounted by at least 20%.
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