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Doing business
While thoroughness, punctuality and diligence are as appreciated in Spain as they are in northern Europe, meetings can be more of a bunfight. You may be interrupted while speaking – it’s not rudeness, just enthusiasm for what you’re saying. If you have an interpreter this can make things rather chaotic. For that reason, you may find meetings progress slightly slower than you may expect – especially at first.

Cool hotel
Hotel Puerta America (www.hotelpuertamerica.com), halfway between the city and the airport may not seem to have much to merit a recommendation, but once the owners had given a floor each to some of the world’s most innovative architects the results were spectacular. Expect an extravagant pastiche of styles, from zany modernism to bright red bathrooms and curvy minimalism. The bar, car park and gardens all have their own architects. Well worth the £200 it’ll cost you to stay here.

Hip restaurant
Ene Restaurante (Calle de Nuncio 19) may be just across from one of Madrid’s oldest churches but it’s anything but old-world. The design is cutting-edge and stylish, the food is Spanish-Asian fusion and there are chill-out beds downstairs which are great for an after dinner cocktail or coffee.

Happening bar
Salamanca is where the beautiful people – including Real Madrid footballers – hang out, but for real fun head to the Huertas district, in particular a table at Cerveceria Alemana on
Plaza de Santa Ana. This was one of Ernest Hemingway’s haunts in Madrid, and neither the wood-lined bar nor the bow-tied waiters have changed since his day.

Must-see sights
The Prado Museum is Madrid’s one true must-see. It’s one of the best and most important art galleries anywhere in the world. Velazquez and Goya are just two of the masters whose work hangs here, and the building itself is a neoclassical masterpiece. The museum is free on Sundays.

Getting downtown
A fast metro links Barajas Airport with Madrid – a single ticket costs a bargain 71p (or a shiny one Euro coin). A taxi will cost around £13 depending on where you’re going and takes around 30 minutes.

The details
As Spain is in the EU, getting in is a breeze. The time in Spain is one hour ahead of the UK. One Euro, at the time of going to press, is worth 71p.

Getting there
Madrid is excellently served by budget and scheduled carriers. £150 returns are the general charge level from London. At busy times, Lufhansa, KLM or Air France offer better value connecting services.

The carbon cost
A return flight from London Heathrow to Madrid will cover 2,604km and emit 0.3 tonnes of CO2. Offset this with The CarbonNeutral Company starting from £2.25.

Compiled by Tom Hall on behalf of Lonely Planet. www.lonelyplanet.com

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