Wow. Look at this magnificent building. This is the Antiguo Hotel Alfonso XIII. It stands proudly before us a testament to architectural grandeur. Originally designed in 1921 by Jose Yarnoz Larrosa it was intended as an office and apartment building. However Antonio Palacios Ramilo adapted the plans for commercial and hotel use.
The Antiguo Hotel Alfonso XIII’s story is one of evolution and adaptation. It’s a fascinating blend of initial vision and later modifications. Imagine the original design an eleven-story structure with shops on the ground floor. Then visualize the transformation into the hotel we see today. The basic floor plan remained but the facades were completely redesigned.
The hotel’s neo-baroque style is striking. It features a wealth of decorative elements. Mostly brick plaster wood and ceramics were used in construction. Think of the simple materials transformed into opulent spaces. The interior displays a different level of luxury. Arches and columns abound. Elaborate coffered hanging lamps and fine carpets adorn the spaces. Ornamented ceramic tiles azulejos decorate walls ceilings and structures. The luxurious rooms were designed for royalty presidents and celebrities. The floors are marble and wood.
The largest banqueting hall could accommodate 650 people. The Royal Hall the most ornate was the main dining room. It’s accessed through a wrought-iron gate. Inside eleven bronze chandeliers hung with Bohemian crystal hang from the ceiling. Large arched doorways lead to a terrace overlooking the garden. Other halls feature arched doors windows and marble floors. The hotel also boasted an inner courtyard. The original design was inspired by Seville’s baroque Hospital de los Venerables. However Alfonso XIII requested a redesign.
The Antiguo Hotel Alfonso XIII initially contained 200 rooms each with a bathroom and telephone. It opened in 1923. During the Second Republic it was renamed Hotel Andalucia Palace. It later reopened as Hotel Avenida. The hotel has undergone several renovations. It has been updated and adapted over the years yet retains its unique charm and historical significance. Illustrious guests have graced its halls. Think of royalty celebrities and even diplomats. The hotel remains a symbol of luxury and history. The Antiguo Hotel Alfonso XIII. A true Madrid landmark.