Mr & Mrs Smith

A funky modern hotel in a very convenient location. Not to be missed is a trip to La Terraza del Casino de Madrid, a short 10-minute walk away from the hotel. This top restaurant has a stunning historic location. Book well in advance.

Madrid has many hidden corners, so you need to know where you are going. We walked for almost two hours to find a restaurant that we knew was 'around here somewhere'. However, Bar Tomate, 26 Fernando El Santo, is a great place to eat with a great selection of wines. The menu is only in Spanish so be prepared. The best club in Madrid, without a doubt, is Gabana 1800. The club plays great music and seems to attract all VIPs. We managed to bump into Valentino whilst there! And finally, if you want real tapas, there's only one place – Cava Baja in La Latina where you will find Spaniards tucking into gorgeous meats from 1pm–2:30pm.

To enjoy tapas in a great social environment head on to Mercado San Miguel. It's an indoor market located beside the Plaza Mayor. Inside you will find a wide range of stalls where you can buy all manner of tapas and wine to combine and enjoy at tables or at the bar. Good value, melt in the mouth flavours and a buzzing environment. Open every day until late.

The very cool ME hotel is within ten minute walking distance of one of the world's greatest contemporary art galleries, the Reina Sofia, home of Spain's most treasured work of art, Picasso's "Guernica". Best to avoid the crowds and saunter down on a weekday morning. It is worth spending several hours among the eclectic and impressive collections. Then later, just across from the hotel in the Plaza Santa Ana, you can start the night in the Cerveceria Alemana - once favoured by Sinatra and Hemingway, and the decor and waiters' garb haven't changed since!

We had dinner at Pan de Lujo, expecting some overpriced, design-conscious but medium food eatery, and were so proven wrong. Lovely designed restaurant, leaving a warm yet stylish buzzing atmosphere (there's a fountain in there!), we sampled all different kinds of breads with oil, several wines and ate 6 different dishes from the menu. Classics with a twist is a good way to put it. Not Mozzarella but Burrata..or the burger is served with particular type of pork etc...and the bill was human! And dont miss out on the great shoe boutique next door, stocking brands such as Gianvito Rossi!
Pan de Lujo - Calle de Jorge 20, Tel: 914 361 100

We had a great time at ME Madrid – the location is perfect for a weekend in Madrid. I would also thoroughly recommend dinner at Juana La Loca (+34 91 364 0525) on Plaza de Puerta de Moros, in La Latina. There is a lively, warm atmosphere and great tapas. Book a table at the back, where it's more relaxed, as it does get very busy.