Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid: a neighbourhood tour

(9 reviews)

Madrid, Spain audio tour: Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid: a neighbourhood tour

This is a 2.4mi walking tour

It takes an average of 60 mins to complete.

Madrid, Spain

Spain

$5.99

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About the Tour

Our Madrid hotel’s unique location at the crossroads of the city’s famous Golden Art Triangle and the expansive Retiro Park makes it the ideal spot to explore and relax. On this easy walking tour, we’ll take a journey into the city’s past, discovering historic monuments and world-famous museums – and the intriguing tales behind them – as well as soaking up the city’s gloriously laid-back vibe. A few places you’ll spot on our walk include Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Nacional del Prado, Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía and Retiro Park.

The tour will take around an hour to complete, but you can pause it at any point to take time out at the museums, stop for coffee at one of the many cafés en route, or to hire a rowing boat on the Estanque Grande del Retiro. If you have any questions, simply ask our fantastic concierge team.

Tour Producer

Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid

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With a stunning and meticulous restoration that celebrates César Ritz’s pioneering spirit, a prestigious central location, five restaurants and bars overseen by one of Spain’s most celebrated chefs and exceptional fitness and wellness facilities, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid is set to become the city’s most luxurious hotel.

Preview Location

Location 1

Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid

Welcome to the centre of noble Madrid. The streets and gardens we're about to wander are intertwined with tales of kings, queens, artists, and aristocrats. Everyone who visits Madrid explores this iconic neighbourhood—after all, this is where three of Spain's most famous museu... Welcome to the centre of noble Madrid. The streets and gardens we're about to wander are intertwined with tales of kings, queens, artists, and aristocrats. Everyone who visits Madrid explores this iconic neighbourhood—after all, this is where three of Spain's most famous museums are located—but few know the rich history just beneath its surface.

Now, you should be standing in front of the main entrance to Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid. This is one of Europe's most iconic hotels, built in 1910 at the request of King Alfonso XIII by the Ritz Development Company – of which the King was a major shareholder. It purchased this parcel of land in the heart of the city, which had previously been part of the former Tivoli Theatre and Pleasure Gardens.

Charles Mewes, architect of the Ritz Hotel in Paris, was in charge of the hotel’s design and two Spanish architects, Luis de Landecho and Lorenzo
Gallego, ensured Mewes’s imposing plans were realised. On completion, it became the first steel-framed building in all of Spain.

Of course, we can’t mention the name Ritz and not talk of Cesar Ritz, the “hotelier par excellence” and father of the Ritz Paris who was invited to be involved in the creation of this new hotel, which was to also carry his name. An outstanding hotelier, showman, director and producer, Cesar Ritz made sure his hotels became known for the noble proportions of the architecture, the beauty and taste of the interiors, the staff’s unfailing attention to detail and most notably, great style. Ritz only designed three hotels in his lifetime, Paris, London and finally our home in Madrid.

Since its inauguration more than 100 years ago, the hotel has been Madrid's residence of choice for visiting dignitaries, celebrities, and bon vivants. On its opening, King Alfonso is said to have remarked that Madrid could finally receive visiting dignitaries in style – at his wedding a few years previously, his royal guests had to be accommodated in private houses, as existing Madrid hotels at that time were considered simply inadequate.

Over the last few years, Mandarin Oriental has revitalized the historic hotel inside and out and added new areas such as an indoor swimming pool and a modern Spanish restaurant overseen by three-Michelin-star chef Quique Dacosta.

Now, let's get going.

Facing the hotel's entrance, turn right and walk to the large street ahead. That's Paseo del Prado, one Madrid's main arteries and a classic European boulevard.

While you walk, I'll explain how VoiceMap works.

The app uses your location to play the audio guide automatically at the right time and place. This means you can put your phone away now. Don't worry if I'm silent for a while when I'm not giving directions or telling stories. There's a map on your screen if you ever feel lost, and if you do get way off track without noticing, VoiceMap will let you know.

You'll hear from me once you reach Paseo del Prado. Read More

View locations and route

How VoiceMap Works

Focus on your surroundings, not the screen

The VoiceMap app uses GPS to play audio automatically, at the right time and place, so you can focus on your surroundings, not the screen.

Follow a route with turn-by-turn-directions

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a fixed starting point. That lets us give turn-by-turn directions and use context to tell a better story.

Resume playback to go at your own pace

If you'd like to stop for a drink or go into a museum, end your tour then use the Resume feature to pick up exactly where you left off.

Listen as many times as you like

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Major Landmarks

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza
Museo Nacional del Prado
Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía
Real Jardín Botánico
Atocha Station
Retiro Park

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Pl. de la Lealtad, 5, Retiro, 28014 Madrid, Spain
Total distance

4km
Final location
40.41767106, -3.68673004
Distance back to start location

539.06m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts outside the main entrance to Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Madrid is blessed with stellar dining spots and you’ll find many cafés, bars and restaurants along the main part of the route. Try the Murillo Café with its brasserie-style menu just behind the Prado Museum, or perhaps an ice cream from one of the Retiro kiosks, or treat yourself to traditional afternoon tea back at the hotel’s famous Palm Court – the menu is overseen by award-winning chef Quique Dacosta.

Best time of day

You can enjoy this tour at any time of the day, but it’s best to avoid the busy museum hours around lunchtime, and the midday sun.

Precautions

Like any major vibrant city, Madrid is often busy with traffic, so be mindful when near main roads. While Madrid is a very safe city, keep an eye on your belongings as pickpocketing is not uncommon in tourist areas.

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“This app has become my go-to app for audio tours. I pretty much use it for every trip and it works wonderfully. I highly recommend VoiceMap for travelers to truly experience cities.”

App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”

Google Play Store

Questions and Reviews

4.7 / 5

9 Ratings

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Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid: a neighbourhood tour

About the Tour

Tour Producer

Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid

Preview Location

Location 1

Mandarin Oriental Ritz Madrid

How VoiceMap Works

Major Landmarks

Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza

Museo Nacional del Prado

Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía

Real Jardín Botánico

Atocha Station

Retiro Park

Getting There

Route Overview

Directions to Starting Point

Tips

Places to stop along the way

Best time of day

Precautions

Get The App

Questions and Reviews