In Spain’s geographical center, Madrid is not only its capital but its major city, with a population upwards of 3 million. The metropolitan area ranks the third-largest in the European Union, and Madrid serves as Southern Europe’s major financial center. Most major Spanish companies — including Telefónica, Iberia, Urbaser, Dragados and Prosegur — maintain headquarters here, and the city remains a major center for trade fairs, supported by the Trade Fair Institution of Madrid. For all its commercial importance, Madrid is a gracious and beautiful city. Its relatively compact central area stretches from the expansive Buen Retiro Park through the Golden Triangle museum district to old streets around Plaza Mayor, ending at the Royal Palace.
Wide Paseo de la Castellana leads north to the tall towers of AZCA, a modern business center near the convention center, Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones. AZCA is easy to recognize by the 516-foot Torre Picasso office building and the Bernabeu Stadium, home of the city’s beloved Real Madrid soccer team. Four even taller skyscrapers of the newer Cuatro Torres Business Area tower over the Chamartín neighborhood, farther north. Central Madrid’s grand plazas, Baroque architecture and picturesque narrow streets hide a thoroughly modern infrastructure and an excellent transit system. The fast and frequent Metro can often get you to your destination more quickly than a taxi. It extends to Madrid-Barajas Airport, with stations in terminals 2 and 4, where Line 8 reaches the AZCA business park in 12 minutes. RENFE trains from Terminal T4 stop at the more central Atocha train station. Taxis to central Madrid cost about $30; use only those in the taxi rank just outside the terminal. Licensed taxis are white with a red stripe; be sure the meter is engaged. AresMóbile offers private transport by an English-speaking chauffeur who will meet you inside on arrival. Perhaps the most difficult thing to get used to when doing business in Madrid is the daily schedule. Although air-conditioning and Spain’s entry into the international commercial world have changed business hours here, they are still more flexible than in Northern Europe. While meals are considered an important way to establish business relationships, deals are not usually sealed or even discussed while dining. So the American concept of a power breakfast or lunch may not play well in Madrid, where meals are a time to relax, get acquainted and size each other up. If it is necessary to discuss business at lunch, be sure to mention this in advance. In a city where dinner doesn’t begin until 10 p.m., you may have trouble getting much enthusiasm for breakfast meetings, but clients will find it hard to resist an invitation to the elegant and supremely comfortable La Rotonda, under the stained-glass dome of The Westin Palace. Linen-clad tables are spaced discreetly inside the colonnade, and plush chairs fill the center below a kaleidoscope of colored glass. Order a basket of croissants and chocolate rolls and entrées that include smoked salmon and Spanish ham. The juice is freshly squeezed from Valencia’s famous oranges.
Hotel Wellington’s La Llave de Oro serves breakfast daily from 8 a.m., with pastries baked in house. In good weather, reserve a table on the terrace above Velazquez Street, a good choice for business lunches, too. Impress important clients with a private à la carte breakfast overlooking the gardens at La Biblioteca, in the former palace of the Duke of Santo Mauro. The private dining rooms serve up to 10 guests at breakfast or lunch, or choose the more casual Santo Mauro Gardens. For an informal business breakfast in a traditional setting, choose one of Madrid’s classic cafés, such as Café de Oriente opposite the Royal Palace. You’ll be seated on red velvet banquettes to savor a breakfast sandwich of local cheeses and Spanish ham. Your Spanish guests will probably order something lighter, accompanied with thick hot chocolate. Spanish lunches begin late, so time your invitations after 1:30 p.m. Many restaurants, like Goizeko Wellington, don’t open until then, serving lunch until 5 p.m. At this smart restaurant, star chefs collaborate on seasonal dishes inspired by Basque cuisine. Lunch might begin with asparagus tips in truffle oil or ceviche of lobster and butterfish. Michelin-starred Santceloni begins serving at 2 p.m., but the veal terrine with pistachio nuts and dried fig purée or the sea bass with candied tomato and hazelnuts are worth waiting for. Michelin stars also reflect from the sparkling crystal at the royal family favorite, Zalacain, with a wine list as impeccable as the menu and service. Expect truffles and foie gras in the ravioli and innovative takes on Spanish and continental cuisine. Or try Volvoreta in the Eurostars Madrid Tower, on the 30th floor of one of the four imposing skyscrapers in the Cuatro Torres Business Area. While savoring views of the mountains beyond, your guests can select from a seasonal Mediterranean menu featuring sea-fresh tuna tartare, venison loin or slow-cooked Castilian lamb.
Read This Next
Women in Travel
2016
Sep 22, 2016All Reads on This Topic
Read Them All
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 29, 2024A Guide to Female Solo Travel in Saudi Arabia
Traveling alone as a woman can be daunting no matter where in the world. Keeping certain tips and information in mind at all times is essential, but it shouldn’t detract from you having a good time. Saudi Arabia might not come to mind as one of the first countries safe for female travelers, but the country continues to rise in popularity for solo travel among women.
Sponsored Content
Unearth Seoul’s Hidden Gems
Filled with hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, Seoul invites travelers to unearth its many gems, and Seoul Tourism Organization is here to help travelers do just that. Through thoughtfully created initiatives like the Theme Tourism County Competition, Seoul Tourism Organization works closely with local districts to identify and showcase what makes each district unique and charming in all seasons.
Daily
Mar 28, 2024New Adriatic Yacht Cruise and Tour Itineraries Unveiled for 2025
Set sail through crystal-clear waters and explore ports, islands and more on three new yacht cruise and tour itineraries in the Adriatic Sea from Riviera River Cruises. New 2025 itineraries combine yacht cruises with onboard accommodations and land extensions with hotel stays in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Itineraries also include tours of charming coastal towns and stops in national parks and swimming hole locations.
March 2024
Mar 28, 2024Cruise Lines Elevate the Onboard Fine-Dining Experience
It’s been a long time since the food on cruise ships resembled the bland, uninspired fare that gave onboard dining a bad name. These days, cruise passengers can look forward to menus created by Michelin-starred chefs made with top-quality ingredients served in stunning spaces. Choices abound as well. In addition to elegant main dining rooms, cruise ships have created a huge array of specialty restaurants that focus not only on perfectly executed traditional European and North American dishes but flavors and experiences from around the globe as well. In fact, meals served aboard cruise vessels have gotten so good, they’re drawing passengers onto ships: According to a recent report by luxury travel planning network Virtuoso, advisors report after Europe (specifically Italy and France), the No. 2 dining destination for travelers is aboard an ocean or river cruise. “This shows how cruise lines have really stepped up their culinary game, with consulting chefs and new restaurants and making that a focal point,” said Misty Belles, vice president, Global Public Relations, Virtuoso.
Sponsored Content
Tips to Plan a Destination Event Worth the Trip
Corporate events can often feel … too corporate. Where to go to get the team out of the office environment to bond and think outside the box? Starting with an unconventional, unique space to make them feel like the all-stars they are will get the juices flowing and make your LinkedIn profile glow.
Daily
Mar 28, 2024Athens’ National Museum of Contemporary Art Opens What if Women Ruled the World? Exhibition
National Museum of Contemporary Art Athens was founded in 1997 and is supervised and subsidized by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture and Sports. The museum began its operation in 2000, when it acquired the first artwork of its collection and the first temporary exhibition took place.
Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortés Review
eFlyer Reviews
Mar 27, 2024Japan Airlines Purchases 32 Airbus, 10 Boeing
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruise Ship Visits to Labadee, Haiti
Royal Caribbean International cancels additional visits to Labadee, the cruise line’s private destination in Haiti, for the next few weeks. The cruise line suspended visits to the destination in early March and decided to continue the suspension on March 22 due to unrest in the country.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
eFlyer News
Mar 27, 2024China Airlines Expands North American Network with Non-Stop Flights to Seattle
China Airlines will begin offering non-stop flights to Seattle (SEA) from Taipei (TPE) starting July 14. The new route expands the carrier’s passenger services to the northwestern United States by offering five weekly flights via the Airbus A350-900.
ShareThis