The Soul of a City: Inside Four Seasons Madrid's Historic Rise to "Best Urban Hotel"

In the heart of Spain’s capital, between the bustling Puerta del Sol and the literary charm of the Letras district, something remarkable has been quietly unfolding since 2020. Four Seasons Hotel Madrid has not merely opened its doors; it has woven itself into the fabric of the city, transforming a collection of historic buildings into a vibrant cultural and social hub. This commitment to authentic connection was recently affirmed when the property was awarded the prestigious title of “Best Urban Hotel” at the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Spain Awards.

This accolade is more than a trophy for the hotel’s exquisite design or its world-class amenities; it is a testament to a singular vision. A vision steered by a man whose own life story is a testament to cultural fluency and a deep-seated passion for hospitality: Regional Vice President and General Manager, Patrick Pollak.

“To receive this accolade as Best Urban Hotel is a source of enormous pride for everyone who forms part of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. This prize belongs to our team, whose passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence have come to define every single experience from day one. When we first opened our doors in 2020, we wanted to create a hotel with a strong connection to Madrid, to its history, its vibe, and its people. Today, we feel part of the city and its community; and that is unquestionably one of our greatest achievements,” says Patrick Pollak, Regional Vice-President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.

Patrick Pollak, Regional Vice-President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.

In his role as Regional Vice President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Patrick Pollak is responsible for the operation of the hotel along with overseeing the operations of Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor and Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.  A 30-year veteran with Four Seasons, Pollak brings to his role a worldly luxury hospitality experience across North America and Asia.

Born and raised in Mexico to French parents, Pollak had a true bi-cultural upbringing that led to his return to France, where he studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon.  This specialized education led to a robust career with Four Seasons beginning in 1996 as Bar Manager at Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City.  A foodie at heart, his career progressed through various positions in the Food and Beverage department until working his way to Assistant Director of Food and Beverage. In 2002, he transferred laterally to Four Seasons in Chicago and in 2004, he was promoted to Director of Food and Beverage at Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

Patrick was then very deservedly promoted to Hotel Manager in 2007, which brought him back to Four Seasons Hotel Mexico City. He was later appointed to Resort Manager positions, first at the former Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas in 2011 and next at Four Seasons Resort Hualalai in 2016. Patrick was promoted to General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou in 2017 and subsequently transferred to Toronto’s flagship hotel in 2021. In 2026 he joined Four Seasons Hotel Madrid as Regional Vice President and General Manager.

“Being at the helm of this outstanding property is a Four Seasons career milestone,” says Pollak. “I am honored to continue building on the success of this iconic property and continue to develop the future leaders of Four Seasons."

"Every Four Seasons property is unique and has its own character; Madrid, being Four Seasons' first hotel in Spain, has already set new hospitality standards in the capital, and it is an honor to be part of the next chapter of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid and continue to make history in Spain... . Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

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Press release:

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid Awarded “Best Urban Hotel” at 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Spain Awards

This accolade celebrates the hotel’s unique connection to the heart of Madrid and the commitment from a team that has successfully captured the spirit of this city since 2020, transforming it into a meeting place for locals and international travelers alike while supporting the capital’s development as one of the most attractive urban destinations in Europe.

June 24, 2026,

Four Seasons Hotel Madrid has been awarded the prize for Best Urban Hotel at the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Spain Awards, a prestigious accolade in the travel and luxury industry. This prize represents a major endorsement of the track record from the hotel since it opened and recognizes an offer that has successfully combined international excellence, historic heritage, and a deep-rooted connection to the city.

Located between Puerta del Sol and the Letras district in one of the most vibrant and iconic parts of the capital, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid has always sought to stand as an integral part of the city. Six years on, the hotel has consolidated itself as much more than a destination for international travelers: it is a meeting place for locals, and a space where culture, gastronomy, wellness, and social life converge in the heart of the historic city center.

“To receive this accolade as Best Urban Hotel is a source of enormous pride for everyone who forms part of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid. This prize belongs to our team, whose passion, dedication, and commitment to excellence have come to define every single experience from day one. When we first opened our doors in 2020, we wanted to create a hotel with a strong connection to Madrid, to its history, its vibe, and its people. Today, we feel part of the city and its community; and that is unquestionably one of our greatest achievements,” says Patrick Pollak, Regional Vice-President and General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid.

Located in one of the most iconic parts of the city, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid offers an experience that is deeply connected to the nature and vibe of the capital and its local community. The hotel occupies a series of meticulously restored historic buildings that have been converted into a destination unto themselves, where history, contemporary design, gastronomy, and wellness coexist under the auspices of a singular vision of excellence.

The experience at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid combines accommodation, gastronomy, and wellness in the heart of the capital. Its 200 guest rooms and suites, many of them offering privileged views of the historic city center, stand alongside a gastronomy offer that has become a meeting place for locals and visitors alike. The gastronomy spaces include Dani Brasserie, led by Chef Dani García; ISA Restaurant & Cocktail Bar; and El Patio, an iconic venue where the ambiance and vibe of the city can be enjoyed. All this is complemented by the largest urban spa in Madrid to create an experience that is deeply connected to the lifestyle and soul of this capital.

In reflection of the city’s soul, Four Seasons Hotel Madrid has become a place where travelers from overseas and locals meet, creating a vibrant community that transcends the traditional hotel concept and transforms it into a natural extension of cultural and social life in the capital.

This accolade from Condé Nast Traveler Spain reaffirms the position of Four Seasons Hotel Madrid as one of the most relevant urban hotels in Europe and confirms the value of an offer that has successfully combined excellence, authenticity, and connection with the destination and local community to redefine the contemporary luxury experience.... . Continue reading (Members Only) - Unlock Advantages with a LHN Membership - Read more here

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The Team

at LEADING HOTELIERS NETWORK / JOB LEAD SERVICE

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