Entering Brach Madrid feels a little like entering the home of a tormented artist. And like most tormented artists, this tenant has love on the brain. Located in the heart of Madrid, hidden in plain sight behind a cream exterior and beige awnings on the bustling Gran Vía, the Evok Collection’s latest opening is steeped in history, culture and romance.
Interiors, designed by French architect Philippe Starck, tell a timeless tale of a love affair: the story of an unattainable woman, loved by a man who has decorated his home with memories of her. Black-and-white film photographs of the same woman are tucked into the frame of every mirror in the hotel, while scents of vanilla and orange blossom fill the air – how falling in love might smell.
Open since January, Brach Madrid marks the hotel group’s first Spanish outpost. The fifth in the Evok family, it follows Brach Paris, Cour des Vosges, Nolinski Paris and Nolinski Venezia. Built on the site of the former Palacio de Masserano, home to several notable Spanish dynasties, the building was home to a young Victor Hugo in the 19th century: the French novelist’s books are now scattered throughout the hotel, as are the works of some of Europe’s most legendary artists and philosophers. Photographs of Spanish artist Salvador Dalí can be spotted in most rooms – like a surrealist Where’s Wally – and elegant Éditions Gallimard imprints of beloved texts line the shelves. These interiors burst with cultural history – Luis Buñuel, Pablo Picasso, Federico García Lorca, Goya and Velázquez are just a few of the names that jump out. It’s fitting, given the property’s location in a city that’s home to one of the most famous galleries in the world, the Prado, and known for its deep connection to the world of art.
There’s a sense of nostalgia and longing echoed throughout and, with so much to fall in love with, you’ll have these same feelings when it comes time to check out.
Interiors, designed by French architect Philippe Starck, tell a timeless tale of a love affair: the story of an unattainable woman, loved by a man who has decorated his home with memories of her. Black-and-white film photographs of the same woman are tucked into the frame of every mirror in the hotel, while scents of vanilla and orange blossom fill the air – how falling in love might smell.
Open since January, Brach Madrid marks the hotel group’s first Spanish outpost. The fifth in the Evok family, it follows Brach Paris, Cour des Vosges, Nolinski Paris and Nolinski Venezia. Built on the site of the former Palacio de Masserano, home to several notable Spanish dynasties, the building was home to a young Victor Hugo in the 19th century: the French novelist’s books are now scattered throughout the hotel, as are the works of some of Europe’s most legendary artists and philosophers. Photographs of Spanish artist Salvador Dalí can be spotted in most rooms – like a surrealist Where’s Wally – and elegant Éditions Gallimard imprints of beloved texts line the shelves. These interiors burst with cultural history – Luis Buñuel, Pablo Picasso, Federico García Lorca, Goya and Velázquez are just a few of the names that jump out. It’s fitting, given the property’s location in a city that’s home to one of the most famous galleries in the world, the Prado, and known for its deep connection to the world of art.
There’s a sense of nostalgia and longing echoed throughout and, with so much to fall in love with, you’ll have these same feelings when it comes time to check out.
The minibar offering in Suite 605 | Credit: Guillaume de Laubier
Rooms
The hotel’s 53 rooms and four lavish suites are arranged across seven floors. Of course, the love story continues into the bedroom – there are no sparse, minimal spaces here. Each room is artfully cluttered with mementos of the couple’s affair and contains a large photograph of a man and, over his shoulder, the blurred image of a woman symbolically fading into the background. But more than just this couple, the room is a reminder of all those who have come before and a celebration of the passage of time. The objets d’art allude to the travellers in whose footsteps we might be following: vintage boxing gloves, signed photographs, castanets, a mandolin, tambourine, ceramics and an array of books combine to create a colourful mosaic of the past while simultaneously feeding us snippets of contemporary Spanish culture.
Patisserie by Fabien Emery, left, and the hotel restaurant | Credit: Sadiksans Voltaire
What’s for breakfast?
Speaking of feeding us Spanish culture… Prepare for the day ahead with a hearty Spanish omelette, churros, more pastries, or eggs however you like them. Breakfast takes place in the same space as lunch and dinner, the main restaurant – a calming mahogany and terracotta-themed space, which features a window into the kitchen, separated by an impressive wooden countertop sculpted by designer Patrick Kim-Gustafson. Again, there are plenty of books around: grab one for a slice of early-morning art history.How about lunch and dinner?
Before we get onto lunch and dinner, we must first discuss afternoon tea. Every day, celebrated pâtissier Fabien Emery bakes a selection of pastries. Like precious jewels sparkling from the shop window, these lure in passersby like cute edible sirens. In fact, the hotel is at its busiest during afternoon-tea hours. Book ahead to sample the sweet treats, which range from decadent eclairs to zingy clafoutis.
The bathroom in a Superior bedroom | Credit: Guillaume de Laubier
As for the savoury meals of the day, the menu at Brach Madrid is created by chef Adam Bentalha, and inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. “We're now in a country where the gastronomic scene is very cosmopolitan, and our cuisine speaks to everyone,” says Bentalha. “We work with local producers and exceptional local products such as olive oil, red tuna, Galician beef and Bellota ham.” Stand-outs include the brioche challah, grilled peppers, croquetas, kofta with smoked labneh and pomegranate molasses, the lamb shoulder to share, and the baby gem salad. Though really, you can’t go wrong.
As for the savoury meals of the day, the menu at Brach Madrid is created by chef Adam Bentalha, and inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. “We're now in a country where the gastronomic scene is very cosmopolitan, and our cuisine speaks to everyone,” says Bentalha. “We work with local producers and exceptional local products such as olive oil, red tuna, Galician beef and Bellota ham.” Stand-outs include the brioche challah, grilled peppers, croquetas, kofta with smoked labneh and pomegranate molasses, the lamb shoulder to share, and the baby gem salad. Though really, you can’t go wrong.
Is there a bar?
Absolutely. Bartender Alex López Arriaza is passionate about cocktails and, though he has perfected all the classics, he prefers to add his own twist, swapping out typical ingredients for creative alternatives. Perhaps you’re devoted to negronis, or dirty martinis, but order one here and you’ll discover a refreshing remix. On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Brach’s bar is the ideal spot for either a pre- or post-dinner tipple, with a DJ spinning records.
The hotel’s restaurant and bar | Credit: Guillaume de Laubier
Amenities
A relaxing rooftop space is set to open this spring, but in the meantime, the hotel’s spa, La Capsule, might be Madrid’s best-kept secret. A quiet and cooling oasis in the basement, this is a space for those who take their wellness seriously. The 20m swimming pool is big enough for you to feel that you’ve had a good swim, and you can reward yourself by unwinding in the steam room and infrared sauna. For those who haven’t experienced an infrared sauna before, it’s less intense than typical saunas – which can feel suffocating at times, or like they’re burning your nostrils – while also being very good for muscle repair, bringing relief to soft-tissue injuries. La Capsule’s pièce de résistance is the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, which allows you to breathe 100 per cent oxygen. The practice is believed to speed up the healing of wounds, boost the immune system and fight infections. This one also bears the distinction of being the sole hyperbaric oxygen chamber found in a hotel in the city.What are the hotel’s eco-credentials like?
“If you design a fashionable hotel, it's going to last five years! In five years’ time, all the materials and energy that went into it will be thrown out. It will be wasted and a source of pollution. My ambition is to create something that will last at least a century,” says designer Philippe Starck. Last year, the Evok Collection was awarded the reputable Green Globe label, an accolade only given once properties have undergone thorough checks to ensure it’s promoting waste reduction and is committed to building a more sustainable future.
The hotel entrance | Credit: Atelier 50 / Guillaume de Laubier
What’s the crowd like?
You don’t stay at a hotel inspired by a love story and adorned with the work of great artists unless you’re something of a romantic. And though Brach Madrid is a dream for couples – the double shower and enormous bathtubs are proof of this – it’s also a watering hole for creatives visiting the city for work, and for those on a mission to find inspiration for their next project. There’s no specific age range; everyone here, it seems, is young at heart.Within a short walk I can find…
El Museo Nacional del Prado, of course, where you’ll find Goya’s Black Paintings, Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights, plus works by Velázquez, El Greco, Rubens and Titian. The hotel is situated on the city’s main shopping street, so should you forget to pack anything, you’ll find it at your immediate disposal. Just a five-minute walk away is Madrid’s famous Puerta del Sol and statue El Oso y el Madro (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree) – touch the bear’s behind and you’ll be granted good luck (or so the legend goes).
View from a Superior room, left, and Deluxe room details | Credit: Guillaume de Laubier
Things I should know
It goes without saying that Madrid – landlocked and at Spain’s geographical centre – can get incredibly hot during the summer months. Shady, dimly lit escapes are essential, so heading somewhere like Brach, with its many baked delights, makes an event out of hiding from the sweltering sun. You may even consider visiting out of season. In February this year, temperatures were as high as 17ºC, and though Spaniards were still wearing scarves, Brits would be cruising the city in t-shirts. Whatever the time of year, if you happen to have “Madrid” written on your bucket list, we suggest adding the word “Brach” in front of it.
Main photo credit: Guillaume de Laubier
The Lowdown
Doubles cost from £489 a night; brachmadrid.com
