Formerly a palace dating from the 19th century, the 4-star+ Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII Hotel is situated on the historic street of Alfonso XII in the prestigious area of El Retiro, just steps away from the Puerta de Alcala, the Royal Botanical Gardens and the prestigious Prado Museum (which forms the Golden Triangle of Museums – Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofia). Alfonso XII street was originally called Granada street when the street was opened during the reign of Isabel II (1833 - 1868).
Opposite the hotel is the Puerta de España entrance gate to Retiro Park, which dates back to 1893. The Paseo de la Argentina, more popularly known as the “Statue Walk,” leads to the Crystal Palace and artificial lake within the park. There are several important representative and historical buildings and tourist attractions near the hotel, including the “Casona del Buen Retiro” built by Alonso Carbonell in 1637; the “Puerta de Alcalá” commissioned by Carlos III; and the “Sabatini Prado Museum” whose construction took place during the reigns of Charles III and Charles V and was completed in the early 19th century. The “Plaza de Cibeles” where the famous Cibeles Fountain was designed by the renowned architect Ventura Rodríguez; “Palacio de Comunicaciones,” which is now the head office of the mayor of Madrid, the “Palacio de Buenavista,” which is the current headquarters of the army dating from 1777, the “Palacio de Linares” or House of America and Bank of Spain are all close to the hotel.
The Madrid-Barajas International Airport is 16 kilometers away and Madrid’s main Avenida Atocha Railway Station is only 1.3 kilometers from the hotel. Two of Madrid’s most important squares, Puerta del Sol and Plaza Mayor, as well as the shopping and entertainment streets of Serrano in the Salamanca District and Gran Vía street are all nearby. Gran Via Avenue, which means "Great Way," is an ornate and upscale street located in central Madrid. It leads from Calle de Alcalá to Plaza de Cibeles and to Plaza de España. The lively street is one of the city's most important shopping areas and includes several hotels and large movie theaters. It is also noted for the grand architecture prevalent among many of its buildings.
A number of corporations are less than a kilometer away from the Petit Palace Savoy Alfonso XII, including Ackermann Beaumont Executive Search, Subaru Espana, Ashhurst LLP, Baring Private Equity Partners Espana S.A., Bird & Bird, TBWA, Dexter Associates, Ssangyong Espana, The Carlyle Group, Euro RSCG Worldwide Espana, Eurodeal, Pepe Jeans, Gestamp Automocion, Kraft Foods Espana, Lowewe, Qualitas Equity Partners, and Neumann International.
LWH Top 10 Must See Attractions
Prado Museum
The Prado Museum is a very famous gallery in Madrid and one of the world’s finest. It is situated on the stylish Paseo del Prado, a lovely part of the city just a short walk from Retiro Park. It is next to the Ritz Hotel, the Palace Hotel, the fountain of Neptune and the Stock Exchange. The Museum has the most complete collection of Spanish paintings from the 11th to 18th centuries, and many masterpieces by great universal artists such as El Greco, Velázquez, Goya, Bosch, Tiziano, Van Dyck and Rembrandt. The masterpieces of universal art, such as Velázquez' "Maids of Honour," Goya's "Majas," El Greco's "Nobleman with a Hand on his Chest," Bosch's "Garden of Delights," and Ruben’s "The Three Graces," among other priceless pieces, are all to be admired here. The two other important museums in Madrid that form the “Golden Art Triangle” are the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum and the Reina Sofia Museum. The Thyssen contains one of the finest private art collections in the world. The Reina Sofia collections come from the old MEAC (Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art). Picasso's "Guernica" is among the most significant works to be seen here.
Retiro Park
Situated behind the Prado Museum, it is the most popular and widely visited park in Madrid. Retiro is also a central meeting point in the city for locals and visitors alike. Roller skating youngsters, older men playing “petanca” (boules), football players and joggers of all ages can be seen. Throughout the nearly 400 years of history, the gardens and the park have witnessed many events, ranging from the celebration of major festivals and theater performances to neglect and destruction in the times of the War of Independence. Some of the park’s most noteworthy features are the lake with a monument to Alfonso XII, the Casa de Velázquez and the Crystal Palace, the Rose Garden and the Parterre, which has one of the oldest trees in Madrid, the Montezuma Cypress.
Puerta de Alcala
Puerta de Alcala, which means "Alcalá Gate," is a Neo-Classical monument in Madrid’s Plaza de la Independencia ("Independence Square") near the city center. The main entrance to the Parque del Buen Retiro (Retiro Park) is close by. The square is bisected by Alcalá Street, which is the origin of three streets: Alfonso XII, Serrano and Olózaga streets. Its name originates from the old path from Madrid to the nearby town of Alcalá de Henares.
The Fountain of Cibeles
The Fountain of Cibeles is located on the stretch of Madrid commonly called the Paseo de Recoletos. It depicts the Goddess Cibeles, the Greek Goddess of Fertility, who is seen sitting on a chariot, which is being pulled by two lions. On one side of the Fountain of Cibeles is the Paseo de la Recoletos which heads north to join with the Paseo de la Castellana. On the other side is the Paseo del Prado which heads south towards the Fountain of Neptune in the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, and on towards Atocha.
Royal Botanical Gardens
Located in the center of Madrid, the Royal Botanical Gardens give visitors the chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of being immersed in nature. While the garden has species dating back more than two centuries for visitors to enjoy, it is also the home to both researchers and botanists. There are countless things to experience at the garden.
Puerta del Sol
Puerta del Sol, Spanish for "Gate of the Sun," is one of the best known and busiest places in Madrid. This square is the center of the radial network of Spanish streets. It contains the famous clock whose bells mark the traditional eating of the Twelve Grapes and the beginning of a New Year. The New Year's celebration has been broadcast live on TV since 1962.
Plaza Mayor
Plaza Mayor is the principal square in Madrid southwest of Puerta del Sol. Built between 1617 and 1619, and restored in 1790 after a fire, it is in a part of the city known as “Madrid de los Austrias” (the Hapsburg Monarchs having built it - or “Old Madrid”). Notable buildings include Casa de la Panadería, with its fresco decorated façade and Casa de la Carnicería. It is a symbol of Madrid and must not be missed.
Royal Palace
Madrid’s Royal Palace is the main tourist building in the city. It was built in the 18th century by the order of Philip V, on the site of the old Alcázar fortress, a former Moorish castle. It is the official residence of the King of Spain in the city of Madrid, but it is only used for state ceremonies. King Juan Carlos and the Royal Family do not reside in the Palace, choosing instead the more modest Palacio de la Zarzuela on the outskirts of the city. The Palace is owned by the Spanish State and administered by the Patrimonio Nacional, a public agency of the Ministry of the Presidency. There are several special rooms of note, including the Royal Guards' Room, the Columns Room, the Mirrors Room and the Room of King Charles III as well as paintings by Velázquez, Goya, Rubens and El Greco. It is located on Bailén Street in the western part of downtown Madrid, east of the Manzanares River, and is accessible from the Ópera metro station.
Santiago Bernabeu Stadium
It is the stadium of Madrid’s celebrated football (soccer in the U.S.) team, the Real Madrid F.C. It opens its doors to its fans on a daily basis, with the aim of showing them the corners and scenario in which their idols have played out so many great triumphs. The Tour of the Bernabeu also tells the history of the century football club, and allows visitors to be level with the playing field as well as to enjoy all the other angles that are offered by its many seats, including those of the players themselves
Casa de America
Casa de América is one of the most active cultural institutions in Madrid. With the objective of fostering greater knowledge between the Latin American peoples and Spain, it organizes a variety of cultural experiences including exhibitions, conferences, cinemas and literary presentations. The Palacio de Linares, which serves as the headquarters for Casa de Americas, is a real jewel and not be be missed. The architecture is the work of Carlos Colubí, Adolf Ombrecht and Manuel Aníbal Álvarez. Built from limestone, the exterior protects an interior rich in furniture, lamps and bronzes from Paris, crystal from Antwerp, carpets from the Real Fábrica de Tapices (Royal Tapestry Factory) and a select collection of paintings by artists of the stature of Francisco Pradilla, Manuel Domínguez and Alejandro Ferrant, as well as, it is said, one of the most popular ghosts of Madrid.
