Artiem Madrid

Artiem Madrid opened in 2015 and bills itself as a wellness-focused hotel. Sure, it has health-centric features like a gym and lends gym bags stuffed with fitness equipment. But at its heart, the hotel actually has the laid-back vibe of a tech-startup or communal work space. The lobby and lounge walls are lined with faux moss, while a flat-screen TV streams an underwater coral reef scene. Colors are bright and cheerful, and the upbeat vibe is fueled by freebies that any millennial office-worker would be familiar with: booze and food. Those are available almost around the clock in the hotel's lounge, which is its social epicenter. You'll likely see guests relaxing on the sleek earth-green chairs and couches. The space is also outfitted with a long, pillow-lined window ledge and even a tall wood table advertised as an open meeting space. Hotel guests run the gamut of ages and nationalities, and with its close proximity to the airport, Artiem Madrid is definitely a great option for those who have to catch an early-morning flight. 

Artiem Madrid is located in Madrid's sleepy Quintana district, a 30-minute metro ride from the city center. There’s a pharmacy across the street from the hotel, and a bakery and ATM just two minutes away on foot. Otherwise, things around here are pretty sedate. The Barrio de la Concepcion Metro station is a seven-minute walk from the property. The area that's home to the Royal Palace, Royal Theater, and Gran Via is a 40-minute metro trip from the hotel. Retiro Park, with its manicured gardens, fountains, and lush green spaces, takes around 45 minutes to reach. Both the Reina Sofia and The Prado are around 50 minutes away by train, while the home of Real Madrid FC takes 30 minutes to reach. It's only a 10-minute cab ride to the airport from the hotel, or 40 minutes on public transit. 

Artiem’s air-conditioned guest rooms are modern and bright, with a white, green, and light-wood palette that continues from the hotel's public areas. Beds are two twin beds pushed together in most cases, with blonde headboards framed by clean-lined nightstands. Wall-integrated USB plugs and easily accessible European-pronged outlets all add to the trendy start-up office vibe. Other room standards include minimalist desks with ergonomic chairs, chaise lounge chairs (or gray couches with fold-out queen mattresses in the pricier rooms), free and fast Wi-Fi, and 50-inch flat-screen TVs. All rooms also have mini-fridges, electric kettles with free coffee and tea, and safes. Five types of pillows are available, as are robes, for those with comfort in mind. Artiem’s bathrooms are clean-lined and functional, with dark gray tile floors and light gray walls. Glass-walled showers have rainfall showerheads and separate handheld sprayers. Toiletries are provided, but there’s no bar soap. 

Upon walking into the Artiem, it’s hard to miss one of its best features: the 24-hour self-service snack bar located in the Green Lounge. It’s stocked with drinks -- including tea, coffee, soda, canned beer, wine, water -- and a rotating assortment of pastries, sandwiches, wraps, yogurts, and snacks. There’s also a cash bar with liquor, draft beer, and ingredients to make Madrid's signature gin-tonics. Slow Lounge is the property’s well-liked breakfast buffet restaurant that serves a Spanish and international breakfast, including live cooking stations and fresh-squeezed juices. Some room rates include breakfast, otherwise it costs extra. Wellness-wise, the hotel’s gym includes Technogym treadmills, stationary bicycles, and weight machines. The hotel can also arrange personal trainers (for a fee). Another fitness-related perk are the gym bags that include mats, foam rollers, ab rollers, and resistance bands that can be used in guest rooms. Pamphlets with suggested workouts are provided. Free parking is available in the garage underneath the hotel for guests who book directly, otherwise there’s a fee. Laundry and dry cleaning is available, and there’s fast and free Wi-Fi throughout the property.