Madrid, 17 December 2021

The hotel Riu Plaza España’s rooftop has been reinvented with a transparent balcony and a gastrobar

  • The 360° terrace, one of the most famous in Madrid, has reopened its doors with a glass viewpoint that hangs 100 metres above Plaza de España
  • The hotel has also inaugurated “Edén”, a tapas bar on the 26th floor that boasts spectacular views of the city

The 360° terrace at RIU’s hotel in Madrid now has yet another attraction on top of its spectacular views of the capital: a transparent viewpoint looking over the recently inaugurated Plaza de España. This glass balcony that hangs at a height of 100 metres above the ground gives our most intrepid visitors a panorama of the southern area of the capital, with a unique view of the Casa de Campo park, Royal Palace or Temple of Debod.

Due to its size and the transparent materials used to build it, this viewpoint can barely be seen from the outside, in contrast with the Edificio España’s imposing facade. A one-of-a-kind attraction in the capital, which, alongside the popular walkway, is another display of the Riu family’s support for the Plaza de España area as the capital’s tourist centre, respecting the appearance of this emblematic building that is an important part of Madrid’s heritage.

The hotel Riu Plaza España’s rooftop is also debuting two new staircases next to the central tower leading to the upper levels, known as the private booths or VIP areas. Customers will now be able to walk around and enjoy the view from the building’s highest point. To improve the panoramic view that customers can enjoy from this area, the existing forged railing has been lowered and a glass barrier has been placed to guarantee safety.

Also on the 360° rooftop, customers will find a new decorative element that is not to be missed: a magnificent white bull sculpture. The wooden, origami-style animal has a waterproof krion body and spectacular horns and testicles made of shiny polished brass. According to the company, it is a declaration of love and respect for this animal, which is present in many civilizations and beliefs as a symbol of strength, energy and generosity.

The new “Edén” gastrobar

Following the refurbishment, the hotel also has a gastrobar for customers on the 26th floor. This tapas bar is open throughout the day and will serve customers at their table. It has a completely different look to the popular “De Madrid al Cielo” bar, which is on the same floor but opens at night and only serves drinks. Customers will find a new must-see in the entrance to the “Edén” gastrobar:  a romantic swing where they can sit and have their photo taken against the backdrop of the best views of Madrid.

Once inside, they will be able to enjoy RIU’s culinary delights in a space full of light, bright colours, where nature can be seen on the ceilings, in the design of lamps, the texture of materials and decorative images. The menu is composed of several tapas with a traditional Madrid twist, from the cold “Spicy salmon tartar with wakame, potato crumble and garlic” or Spanish dry-cured meat and cheese platters to a “Ramekin of tripe with blood sausage and smoked chorizo”.

 

About RIU Hotels & Resorts

The international RIU chain was founded in Mallorca by the Riu family in 1953 as a small holiday firm and is still owned by the family's third generation. The company specialises in holiday resorts and over 78% of its establishments offer its acclaimed All Inclusive by RIU service. With the inauguration of its first city hotel in 2010, RIU is expanding its range of products with its own line of city hotels called Riu Plaza. RIU Hotels & Resorts now has 97 hotels in 21 countries. In 2023, the chain welcomed 6,4 million guests and provided jobs for a total of 35,808  employees. RIU is currently the world's 36th ranked chain, one of the Caribbean's most popular, the largest in Spain in terms of revenue and the fourth largest in number of rooms.