Hotel Villa Magna, Park Hyatt's Madrid property, is to close for 14 months at the end of July for an extensive refurbishment. All public areas, guest rooms and leisure facilities are to be revamped at a cost of 40 million Euros, with the hotel due to reopen in October 2008.
Gorka Bergareche, executive assistant manager for Hotel Villa Magna, said that the number of guest rooms at the hotel will be reduced from 182 to 151, with an increase in the number of suites, and the addition of a 300sqm presidential suite.
"We will be increasing room sizes by effectively creating two rooms from what is presently three rooms, and converting some of the meeting space," said Bergareche. "We will also be adding a new bar, renewing the gym, and creating a mini-spa with therapy rooms."
Bergareche added that the latest technology will feature heavily in the rooms, from the TV sets to multimedia stations for iPods and laptops. He said that under Spanish law all existing staff must be kept on during the refurbishment process, meaning that employees, around 90 per cent of which are Spanish, will be sent on courses including English language classes and food and beverage courses, to improve customer service when the hotel reopens.
Hotel Villa Magna is located on Paseo de la Castellana in the upmarket Barrio Salamanca district of Madrid (see Four Hours in Madrid, Business Traveller April 2007), an area which also includes luxury properties such as the Hotel Hesperia Madrid and the Gran Melia Fenix. Refurbishments will be carried out under the auspices of Spanish architect Thomas Urquijo, aiming to combine "modern style and timeless regional trademarks to provide guests with sophisticated contemporary luxury".
In other news, the Park Hyatt Paris–Vendome will unveil a $7m revamp this month, including several refurbished suites and a renovated spa. The hotel employed American architect Ed Tuttle (responsible for the original design of the hotel), to create two additional presidential suites, both measuring around 200sqm, and refurbish existing suites including the duplex presidential suite, now in the style of a Parisian apartment and complete with in-suite spa. The hotel spa will feature an extended fitness centre, fourth treatment room, and facilities including a whirlpool bath, sauna, steam room and relaxation area.
Future Park Hyatt properties include Beijing due to open later this year, and Shanghai slated for 2008. For more information visit parkhyatt.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
