If Paul Tribolet has his way, the haut monde will soon be winging their way to the Palace Hotel in Madrid and making Spain part of their European sojourn.
The senior vice-president and director for marketing of ITT Sheraton Europe, Tribolet also oversees the Luxury Collection, an assembly of 25 of the most prestigious hotels in Europe.
The Palace Hotel, commissioned by King Alfonso XIII (the grandfather of King Juan Carlos of Spain), has played host to royals, prime ministers and presidents as well as film stars Ava Gardner and Rita Hayworth, painters Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali and writer Ernest Hemingway.
Recently renovated to the tune of US$40 million (HK$309 million), it is the heart of Madrid's social life. Located just in front of the Prado Museum and Parliament, it makes the ideal sightseeing base.
Other hotels in the Luxury Collection are the Imperial in Vienna, the Principe de Savoia in Milan, the Excelsior in Rome and the Danieli in Venice.
'Madrid would appeal to Hong Kong people as it has great shopping, restaurants and nightlife - and all much less expensive than Europe's other capitals.
