The tone for this unique hospitality experience is set from the get-go, as guests are greeted by the enormous sculpture of a black and white striped bear, welcomingly tipping his brass top hat to all who enter the lobby. As the artist's creative take on the bear and strawberry tree depicted on Madrid's coat of arms, those in-the-know are tipped off at what is to follow: a nod to the city's impressive historic past but presented from a completely modern and buoyant viewpoint.

Unsurprisingly, hotel guests and city residents alike have adopted the elegant, window-walled bar - which boasts "possibly the tallest drinks cabinet in the city" - as their spot to see and be seen. The white and gold glazed ceramic sculptures that hang like giant ornaments over the white marble bar top and teal fabric barstools bear Jaime's "hand" and lend a celebratory air. 

Other elements - such as the various architectural details which bring to mind Roman archways and Moorish influences; the brass "drawings" in the windows which feature various cultural emblems; and the art on the walls which Jaime commissioned from multimedia artists, Nienke Klunder and Wiglius de Bie, of KlunderBie - are all a direct reference to Spain's diverse and rich cultural heritage. However, these are presented in such as way as to perfectly harmonize with Jaime's artistic fingerprint which is also visible in all the furnishings and light fixtures throughout, the results of Jaime's collaboration with major design houses such as Cassina, Fritz Hansen, and BD Barcelona, among others.

"I was fully dedicated to the creation of a very special and unique space that would represent a new vision of Spain, a vision far from the traditional aesthetic," the artist states. And from each fluidly curving sofa back, to the brass and gilded touches; and from the droll masks and clever sculptures poking around each and every corner, Jaime Hayon proves this dedication.