History

With over 70 years of history

Paseo de la Castellana was born in 1800. It is the place chosen by the Spanish nobility to build their urban palaces.
The building upon which the InterContinental Madrid was built used to be the Palace of the Dukedom of Aliaga, designed by architect Eugenio Jiménez Correa.
The years of splendor of the Spanish nobility came to an end in the 1950s, a period in which the great Spanish families left their luscious palaces they had built on the Paseo de la Castellana.

Everyone who strolls along the renowned avenue is fascinated to see stunning steel and glass buildings belonging to international companies next to elegant Versailles style palaces. These buildings remind us of the French origins of the Bourbon Family, the Spanish Royal family.

InterContinental Madrid opens its doors. The first international hotel in Spain settles down at number 49 of the exclusive Paseo de la Castellana.
The hotel was inaugurated with an unforgettable party that lasted three days and three nights.
The opening of the hotel transformed the Spanish capital into a Hollywood branch. Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Garry Cooper and Sophia Loren, among other artists, spent long periods in Madrid filming the big productions of the time.

Actress Ava Gardner made number 49 on Castellana her home away from home during her trips to Madrid.
Here she found an oasis of calm, fun and, above all, discretion. It wasn’t difficult spotting her going to the Las Ventas’ bullring, talking with intellectuals of the time at Bar 49, or going to the most vibrant flamenco bars where everyone was fascinated by Ava’s beauty.

The bullfighter Luis Miguel Dominguín before going out to “Las Ventas” ring.
He felt crazy in love with Ava Gardner who lived in the hotel for over 5 years.

While filming the movie “John Paul Jones”, actress Bette Davis chose one of the hotel’s suite during her stay in Madrid.

The Mexican actor Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”, during a press conference at the hotel.

The actor Charlton Heston during his stay in our hotel to attend “The Cid’s” movie premiere.

Romy Schneider leaving the hotel, where she stayed to film the movie “10:30 p.m. Summer”.

EFE press agency’s van, covering the news on the numerous Hollywood stars visiting the hotel.

The hotel always had a very strong bond with the US Embassy.
So close, that the legend says there was a tunnel that connected the hotel with the American Embassy crossing the Paseo de la Castellana, in case the American Ambassador needed to escape from the Embassy into a safe place.
Every four years, the hotel became the headquarters for the American Community, broadcasting live the elections of the new President.

InterContinental Madrid invested 23 million euros in a comprehensive renovation of its facilities.

The hotel added the outstanding Royal Suite of 400 m² and four Presidential Suites of 140 m².

InterContinental Madrid celebrated its 60th Anniversary, 60 years loaded with history and celebrities.
The hotel hosted key political meetings, legendary gatherings, parties, presentations and large events.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts celebrated 200 luxury locations around the world.
To commemorate this special occasion, the leading luxury hotel brand InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts partnered with London-based contemporary artist Alexander Hall to create a stunning art installation made from 200 champagne bottles individually hand-painted by the artist in his bright and energetic drip-style.
The artwork on each bottle is unique with the design of each one inspired by the InterContinental brand’s 200 hotels.

The InterContinental Hotels & Resorts brand celebrated its diamond anniversary and the reinvigoration of travel.
Explore the origins of and pioneering spirit of its founder, Juan Trippe, who laid the foundations for InterContinental Hotels & Resorts to become the largest luxury hotel brand on the planet. It was the beginning of an amazing hospitality story.

Our hotel celebrated its 70th anniversary. 70 years of history as the first international hotel in Spain and with our eyes set on the future to continue being a benchmark in the hospitality sector.

ADDRESS

Paseo de la Castellana, 49
28046 Madrid, Spain
Telephone: +34 917 007 300
Telephone: +34 900 973 122
Email: icmadrid@ihg.com