Madrid's essence in its most emblematic street: GastroVía 61 and Grupotel Mayorazgo

Madrid is art, music, sunsets. Winged statues set against the sky, majestic palaces, and parks that cover the city—a canvas of culture and history—with green strokes. Madrid is so complex and diverse that it always seems mysterious, seemingly challenging us to search for its best-hidden treasures.

And that is exactly what we are doing today as we begin our adventure in Callao Square, in the vibrant atmosphere that floats around its luminous signs and the waves of people, most of them moving toward Puerta del Sol.

We walk down Gran Vía, Madrid’s colourful and bright main artery, home to infinite towers and advertisements of the capital’s thrilling shows. A large, vibrant Manila shawl rises among the buildings, just a few steps from Plaza de España. A hotel that is deeply linked to the emblematic street and its history wears this elegant garment, the perfect façade embellishment.

The Grupotel Mayorazgo has been part of Flor Baja Street’s architecture since its foundation in 1963, and it can be found in the number 3 of said address. To enter its doors is to receive the comforting hug of that Manila shawl, to feel the touch of a city that keeps its past alive.

After a warm welcome by the staff in the hall, Bar Retiro takes us to one of Madrid’s green lungs. This intimate space simulates a lovely walk around Retiro Park with its vertical gardens and the relaxing murmur of its fountain.

Flavours of Madrid: traditional cuisine with a twist

GastroVía 61 awaits us on the other side, a restaurant that reveals its secrets little by little. Its tables are the first feature to catch our attention—instead of numbers, they have the names of Madrid’s landmarks. Antique pictures of the most representative squares in the capital hang on its walls.

We take a seat at the unmistakable Plaza de Cibeles, under one of those large pictures, admiring the overwhelming beauty of its fountain through a window to the past. By now, observant people will have perceived a detail that can go unnoticed in this space where everything has a meaning. It’s the piped music that has been by our side since we got here—a constant and subtle soundtrack that enriches the atmosphere. Obviously, it is a compilation of Madrilenian songs. This is only one of the many references that we will discover throughout the visit.

Just a glance at the room is enough to spot more distinctive features, such as the traditional chulapo costumes that both waiters and waitresses wear. Regarding the menu, we discover that every dish includes highlighted curious terms and idioms. Everything makes sense when the waitress smiles and hands us a sheet titled Traditional Spanish Terms Glossary. This small dictionary explains the origin and meaning of the dish names, which are references to Madrid’s culture. It’s the perfect starter for a fun conversation, both for local and international guests.

It’s time to order a meal, but the menu includes very attractive possibilities. GastroVia 61’s traditional cuisine is prepared with local ingredients, which can be appreciated in its delicious appetisers whose exquisite flavours result from the high-quality products.

Regarding the main courses, we should note their rices and their meat and fish, which are grilled with holm oak charcoal—through this technique, it is possible to get the most out of the product while perfectly preserving it. The San Isidro steak tartar is the star dish, and it is available in three varieties: traditional, vegetarian, and vegan.

When we order this last option, we are surprised to learn that it will be prepared in our presence. After introducing the ingredients and asking for our spiciness preferences, the staff delights us with a culinary demonstration that adds a priceless value to the final experience. The tartar steak, now on the table, its presentation, and the explosion of flavour and textures explain its well-deserved reputation.

If there were still doubts about the restaurant’s perfect fusion of tradition and modernity, they dissipate by dessert time. On one hand, it offers healthy alternatives, such as the fresh fruit salad, and other typical Spanish delicacies like torrijas. It is obvious that true flavours are still successful.

But on the other hand, those guests who choose more striking options like the deconstructed Irish coffee will be rewarded with a creative and innovative elaboration that includes a surprise spectacle. GastroVía 61’s cuisine is constantly reinvented, both for seasonal reasons and for including new dishes that adapt to the guests’ preferences through tests and their daily feedback.

Every wine lover should complement the gastronomical experience with the restaurant’s diverse wine options. Vinos de Madrid DOP (Denominación de Origen Protegida) are the most common; it could not be any other way.

Exploring Madrid without leaving the hotel

To book a Grupotel Mayorazgo room is to buy a ticket to a surprise destination. These spots located in the Community of Madrid can be chosen by the guest or be left to fate. The hotel’s dimensions can be misleading, but it actually has 200 available rooms, and each one centres around a different Madrilenian theme.

The stay at the hotel includes elegant resting areas where one can enjoy Madrid’s landscapes and emblematic elements. The incredibly detailed thematic rooms can take us to diverse charming corners, such as the Puerta de Alcalá, the Manzanares River, or the Retiro Park. We should highlight the hand-painted scenes on the walls and the historical items that illustrate local history.

However, these themes go even further. They include many icons of Madrid’s culture, like San Isidro festivities or the bocadillo de calamares (squid sandwich).

Grupotel Mayorazgo has a special offer for the youngest members of the family, the ‘Aquí los niños mandan’ pack. Children love to participate in this experience since they can choose their own room among the many possibilities, like the Ratoncito Pérez or the Parque Warner rooms. They include gifts and toys, so the stay cannot get any better.

After unpacking and admiring the unique room design, one cannot resist the temptation to explore every single corner. Whirlpool baths and modern terraces with views of the Gran Vía are only some of their features, but each room has its own attractions.

Visiting, tasting, and enjoying are the main objectives of every journey. These essential actions are experienced with every sense after crossing Gran Vía’s Manila shaw, like a rabbit hole that takes us to a magical land.

At the Grupotel Mayorazgo, one can visit Madrid through the many references and themes of its rooms. Madrid can be tasted in GastroVía 61, where the flavours of local gastronomy please and surprise every palate. Madrid can be enjoyed throughout the whole process, which is a true experience of discovery, tranquillity, and comfort. In the end, everything among its walls invites us to explore every single aspect of Spain’s capital city from its own heart.

You can also read this article in Spanish here.

Follow us on Facebook!