After a long and tiring journey from Paris, it was time for a weekend of relaxation at this Madrid property.
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
Booking
I booked in this property about two months before my arrival. Hotel prices in Spain, and Madrid in particular, had become totally insane, with pricing above that of some of Europe’s major capitals, such as London and Paris.
I wanted to try out the new JW Marriott, but at over €500 a night, I found it totally indecent.
So I decided to book at The EDITION, a hotel that opened in 2022, which offered slightly more reasonable rates, under €400 a night.
For the modern incarnation of the Ritz-Carlton brand, this seemed acceptable, even if the benefits offered to members of the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program are limited within this brand. So I booked a three-night stay in a Premier Room, which is not the entry-level room in this property.
Arrival
About a week before my arrival, I was given an upgrade to a Premier Suite, the highest category before the Presidential Suite – perfect!
I checked in 48 hours before my arrival at the hotel, specifying my late check-out time of 4pm.
But when I tried to update my arrival time on the plane taking me to Madrid, I saw that the category assigned to me was a Deluxe Room, i.e. below the category reserved!
So I contacted both my Ambassador and the hotel via the chat in the Marriott app and was told that the suite assigned to me was no longer available due to a technical problem.
Strange, since one of these suites was still open for booking.
I was not told what type of room I would be staying in, being told that this would be revealed at check-in.
I arrived at Madrid airport about 1h20 behind schedule. After a long wait for my Uber at terminal 2, and a journey of about 20 minutes from the airport, I arrived at the hotel.
A baggage handler took charge of my belongings and leaded me to reception, explaining all the hotel’s facilities at the same time. I completed the check-in formalities, and nothing was said about my previous interactions. I was told that I was be upgraded to a Loft Room, which is a one category upgrade from the Premier Room originally booked to the one assigned for this stay.
It was a little disappointing, given that that very morning I was upgraded to one of the hotel’s most beautiful suites.
Of course, as it is usual in Ritz-Carlton and EDITION properties, breakfast was not offered for Platinum members and above, and only points were offered as a welcome gift.
A pleasant arrival experience, but not very Premium either.
Room
The assigned room was located on the second floor of the hotel.
The walk to it from the elevators was a little long, but at least it avoided the noise of them.
I’m not a fan of low floors either, but the distance from the rooftop ensured a certain tranquility in the evenings.
The room was decorated in classic EDITION tones, i.e. very white and beige.
As you enter the room, on the left, you found the minibar and Nespresso machine, which I made good use of.
A little further to the left was the bathroom, with a basin opening onto the bedroom, a large shower on the right and the toilets on the left.
As is customary in EDITION hotels, guests were offered Le Labo toiletries, which I particularly like.
Further ahead, still on the left, you could find the large closet allowing to settle in comfortably for longer periods of time.
Finally, the living and relaxation area, with a clever bench on the left that doubles as a table and desk, a large bookcase equipped with decorative elements and books, and finally the sleeping area, with a bed of dubious taste, two bedside tables and a large corner sofa adjoining the windows overlooking Plaça Descalzas.
Strangely enough, no welcome amenity was prepared for me, which is quite unusual in a hotel of this range.
Finally, a video tour:
Hotel facilities
The hotel has many facilities, including an outdoor rooftop pool, a spa and a gym. I did not take advantage of either the spa or the fitness room during my stay.
Outdoor swimming pool
I took advantage of the pool every morning of my stay.
It was very cool, but it was so nice to enjoy the sun loungers!
Everything was elegantly furnished and the service was perfect… In the morning! In the afternoon, it was like a factory, and you could wait up to 2 hours for a pair of loungers.
Catering
The hotel has a number of food and beverage outlets: The lobby bar, a nightclub, the Mexican-inspired Jeronimo restaurant on the first floor and the rooftop Oroyo restaurant.
Breakfast – Jeronimo Restaurant
Every morning of my stay, I had breakfast at Jeronimo, located on the first floor of the hotel.
It was not cheap, €45 per person, but it was excellent.
I had a few items from the buffet: Iberian ham, chorizo and lightly smoked salmon.
I ordered some French toast à la carte, which was excellent.
Service, however, is generally below what you’d expect from such an property.
Lobby Bar
On the evening of my arrival, I settled in at the bar to relax after my stressful and delayed trip from Paris.
I ordered two Negroni which were excellently prepared, with a large ice cube and the perfect orange zest to spice it all up.
And I must confess I had a good dozen during my entire stay.
Dinner – Oroyo Restaurant
On the last evening of my stay, we dined with a few friends at Oroyo restaurant on the top floor of the hotel.
Initially, we were just going to have a drink there, but ended up opting for dinner.
And I have to say it wasn’t a good decision… It was horrible: overly complicated menu, unpalatable pairings.. An abject failure.
Service
In my opinion, the service at this hotel really isn’t up to scratch. While the staff at the bar, reception and doormen are great, the service in the restaurant and at the pool is at the right level.
An incident with one of my friends at the pool was very unprofessional.
Departure
At check-out time, the receptionist asked me how my stay went… And I was courteous but frank. I felt her livid and tell me she was going to talk it over with her manager..
In the end, dinner with my friends at the rooftop was comped. A nice gesture, but would I go back? I’m not sure.
Bottom line
A mixed stay. I stayed with a bitter taste: the rooms are pleasant without being extraordinary, the rooftop too, but much too small for the size of the hotel, and the prices not sweet at all.
The Madrid EDITION : Un séjour en demi-teinte
Emplacement
Design
Service, check-in & concierge
Chambre
Restauration & Bar
Installations (piscine, spa, fitness...)
Respect du programme de fidélité
Service
Rapport Expérience/prix
Moyen
Un séjour en demi-teinte. J’en garderai un goût amer : les chambres sont agréables sans être extraordinaires, le rooftop aussi mais beaucoup trop petit pour la taille de l’hôtel, et les prix pas doux du tout.
