| | Facilities within the Property |
 Restaurant: At our Kaino´s restaurant you can eat a typical Mediterranean food.
Internet access: We have internet wireless (Wifi), in reception you can fine a computer than you can use it for internet connection.
Fitness: In Ac Forum we also think about your health. This is the purpose of our Fitness Center, where you can work out or just relax. You may work out at all times at our hotel's fitness center, equipped with all of the amenities to suit your workout routine. |
 Meeting rooms: We have 9 meetings rooms, offering all of the necessary amenities to make your meeting or reception a profitable and pleasant event.
Sauna: Our sauna is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for you to enjoy maximum relaxation.
In general: room service, bar, complimentary daily newspaper, ironing service, 24 hours front desk, parking and access for people with disabilities.
In general: room service, bar, complimentary daily newspaper, ironing service, 24 hours front desk, parking and access for people with disabilities. |
| Property Facilities Summary: |  Audio/Visual Service | Banquets | | Bar | Business Centre | | Child Friendly | Computer | | Concierge Service | Fax Machine | | Fitness Facilities | Garage | | Golf Course Agreement | Internet Point | | Ironing | Meeting Room | | Overhead Projector | Photocopier | | Restaurant | Safe | | Sauna | Tea/Coffee Making Facilities | | |
Our city: Madrid
Madrid, Spain's capital since 1562, is also the geographical heart of the Iberian Peninsula. Being on top of a plateau, its height and its proximity to the mountains surrounding it shape its weather, of hot summers and relatively cold winters. As expected, it is truly a city of a great and impressive grandeur, with highlights such as a very special historic district, built under the rule of the Habsburgs, hence its name, the Habsburgs Madrid, as well as its unique art gallery, the Prado Museum, one of the most important museums in the world. Worth visiting only because of its cultural diversity, it is also an exceptionally bustling capital, with glossy nightlife, pubs, cafés and night clubs that stay open until very, very late, which have made it known for several years now. Do not be surprised if you get caught on a traffic jam at 4 a.m. on a Sunday. Surely, most of the people are not going off to work!
Medieval Madrid
Begin your stroll at Barrio de la Morería (Muslim Quarter), which housed the ancient Arab Court, and you will arrive to the Casa del Pastor (Shepherd's Cottage), the first City Hall of Madrid and Toledo. From here you may visit the three squares that characterized Medieval Madrid: Plaza de la Paja (Hay Square), which used to be the business center; Plaza de San Andrés, where one of the oldest churches used to be; and Plaza de la Cruz Verde (Green Cross' Square) was where the cavalries used to gather after entering Madrid through the Puerta de Moros (Moors' Entrance)... Then, stroll past two Mudejar-style buildings, San Nicolás de los Servitas church and San Pedro el Viejo tower, to arrive at Casa de los Lujanes, located in Plaza de la Villa.
Habsburgs' Madrid
This is the name given to the part of Madrid that bloomed at the time when the Habsburg ruled over Spain. The dynasty began with King Charles I, who enriched the city with palaces and monuments. Later, when King Phillip II made it capital of Spain, the city underwent an incredible expansion. To visit the Renaissance and Baroque buildings of that time is maybe one of the most picturesque and typical sights of Madrid: Begin at Puerta del Sol, which marks Km. 0, from which distances of Spanish highways are measured. This cheerful and vibrant square may be considered the very heart of Madrid. Walk up one of the narrow and charming streets swarming with people until you arrive at the square where the Descalzas Reales convent lies. Moving along, very near the Palacio Real (Royal Palace), lie the Monasterio de la Encarnación (Monastery of the Incarnation) and the Capitanía General (the national military headquarters). Return to Calle Mayor and walk to Plaza de la Villa (Town Square), where Casa de la Villa (City Hall), Casa Cisneros and Torre de Lujanes are located. Behind you will see the impressive Plaza Mayor square, with important buildings such as Casa de la Panadería (Bakery House) and Casa de la Carnicería (Butcher House). In the middle is a statue of Phillip III. Even though it is out of the way, San Isidro Cathedral is worth visiting. As you walk back, do not miss the beautiful Foreign Affairs building and Lope de Vega's house on Cervantes street.
Bourbons' Madrid
Madrid's urban and monumental layout was completed under the rule of the Bourbons, especially with King Charles III, known as the Mayor King. Before you continue strolling, visit the Palacio Real, which, on account of its importance and beauty, may take a full day to truly enjoy it. From here, you may continue visiting this section, which holds interesting official buildings of that time. From busy Puerta del Sol, where the Casa de Correos (Post Office) lies, walk up past the Casa de Postas and the Real Casa de Aduanas (Royal Customs Building) on to Alcalá street. Along the traditional calle Alcalá, one of Madrid's main arteries, you will find the Real Academia de Bellas Artes (Royal Academy of Fine Arts), a palace built by Churriguera, where you can make a stop and have a rest in its stunning café (where they are so original they even charge to get in). Very close by, at Caballero de Gracia nº 5, you may visit the Oratorio del Caballero de Gracia, one of the neo-classical masterpieces of the city, or visit San Jose's church on the corner of calle Alcalá and Gran Vía, a Baroque building dating from the eighteenth century. On the corner of Cibeles you will find the Palacio de Buenavista, a palace built in 1777 at the request of the Alba Duke, which now holds the Army Headquarters. You should definitely not miss this section of the city, no matter how little time you have. It is one of the most famous parts of Madrid. Cross beneath the well-known Arc of Triumph Puerta de Alcalá, and walk along Salón del Prado, the first section of this famous boulevard, to end at Madrid's most famous fountains: Cibeles, Apolo and Neptune. At the end of Paseo del Prado, designed under the rule of King Charles III as a garden-like boulevard to hold different buildings used for different scientific purposes. From here you may visit the Jardín Botánico (Botanical Gardens), the Observatorio Astronómico (Astronomy Observatory) and the Alcachofa (Artichoke) fountain, a replica of the original fountain designed by Ventura Rodriguez, which is located in Parque del Retiro.
Nineteenth century Madrid
During this century, Madrid undergoes a tremendous transformation begun during Joseph Bonaparte's rule, who wanted to enlarge the street layout by means of a large avenue, and continued under Isabella II, with the remodeling of Puerta del Sol, the design of new boulevards, and the creation of Salamanca and la Ciudad Lineal districts. You may start visiting this section by Plaza de Oriente: walk past the Teatro Real (Royal Theater), cross Puerta del Sol until you get to calle del Prado, where the Ateneo (Athenaeum) lies, Madrid's literary and artistic heart, the Parliament, the Teatro de la Zarzuela (Zarzuela Theater) and Banco de España (Bank of Spain). This is the way to get to the Prado Museum, which holds one of the largest collections of paintings in the world. You may easily spend an entire day visiting it. From here you may walk to the most beautiful of Madrid's many parks, Parque del Retiro, where you should see the Palacio de Cristal (Crystal Palace), Palacio de Velázquez and its great lake, where you may find boats for hire.
Twentieth century Madrid
The best place to appreciate Madrid's twentieth-century architecture is the paseo de la Castellana (Castilian Boulevard). On Plaza de Colón, you will find the Jardines del Descubrimiento (Discovery Gardens), with the monument to Christopher Columbus and gigantic sculptures, and an artificial waterfall that crowns the entrance to the Centro Cultural de la Villa (the Town's Cultural Center) where you may enjoy concerts and plays every night. Walk up north along Castellana to see tall and interesting skyscrapers such as the Torres de Colón, the Edificio de la Unión, the Fénix, the Edificio Bankunión, the Adriática, the Compañía de Seguros de Occidente, the Caixa, and the Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones (Palace of Congresses and Exhibitions), among others. The Museo de Esculturas al Aire Libre (an outdoor sculpture garden) is of special interest, located beneath the aboveground crossing of Castellana. The buildings made during the 80s and 90s are a very special sight, such as the Market of Puerta de Toledo, which was built to replace the old fish market, the greenhouse at Atocha Station, an iron and glass structure with a recent addition. Opposite you will find the Centro de Arte Reina Sofia (Queen Sophia's Museum), which used to be the old San Carlos Hospital and was remodeled to house the museum, with glass structures inside.
Finally, a few steps away lies an interesting cluster of buildings: the Picasso tower, designed by Yamasaki and 150-meter tall; the Sollube building, very original and artistic, and the striking Europa tower, with impressive facade and metal ornamentation. No visit to modern and traditional Madrid can end without seeing this curious "human monument": El Rastro, a flea market that has been selling anything you may think of for over five centuries. The market is held on Sunday mornings at Ribera de Curtidores, extending over several streets of the historic district. It is an interesting and essential place to observe the authentic Madrid. Just like the Ventas bullring, one of the largest and most traditional arenas in Spain, where the best bullfighters gather every year. It is also one of the most beautiful bullrings, with a splendid and very elegant Neo-Mudejar façade.
Special Festivities
Madrid is a very cheerful and unique city, offering all kinds of events worthy of a large capital but also preserving the traditional and typical flavor of the "villa," as it is still known nowadays. It is true that, deep down, Madrid is still that villa, which continues to offer the authenticity of a small town. Visitors will find it charming and versatile if they take this opportunity to enjoy one of the many celebrations held since very early in the year: On May 15, the city celebrates its patron saint, San Isidro, with several typical events such as verbenas, romerías and the best bullfights of the year. There are rock and jazz concerts, theater performances and crafts fairs. During July and August the city celebrates the Villa Summer, with theater and cinema events, verbenas and music shows organized by the city's authorities. The Verbena de la Paloma (Festival of La Paloma) is held August 6 through 15. It is one of the most traditional festivities in Madrid, characterized for its colorfulness and the great joy on the streets. This event recovers the typical chulapa and chulo dressing styles, as well as the chotis music and the beautiful piano shawls, to the rhythm of the classic Madrid folklore. September is the season for premieres at theaters, cinemas and other types of entertainment. During this season, the Autumn and Melonera (at Arganzuela) festivals are held, which date back to the eighteenth century. The Pilar Fiesta is celebrated October 8 through 12. November is the time of the traditional Almudena celebrations, which contrast with the International Jazz Festival. December ends the year with the exhibition and sales of Nativity scenes and Christmas trees at traditional stands located in Plaza Mayor, a colorful and bright show with all the charm and romanticism of such traditional celebrations. |
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