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From 11 to 13 September, Madrid experienced a historic weekend. The Formula 1 It was returning to the capital for the first time since 1981, when the race was held at Jarama, and it was doing so at the new circuit MADRING, alongside IFEMA and Valdebebas, with an estimated 345,000 attendees. Whilst the city was preparing for the race, VP Plaza España Design 5*, a partner at SIE, wanted the excitement of the Grand Prix to reach the centre of Madrid as well.
The hotel’s proposal centred on Manu Campa, an artist from Madrid who specialises in the automotive world. During those days, the lobby of VP Plaza España Design was transformed into a space dedicated to his work, featuring pieces such as Team Ikuzawa Tape Project, 917 Salzburg Bag Project y Ferrari Nigel Mansell Bag Project. Each one offers the artist’s perspective on the history and culture of motoring.
The play that attracted the most attention was Sound of Speed, a pictorial sculpture that recreates a life-size Formula 1 single-seater in Campa’s characteristic style. Over the weekend, guests and visitors were greeted by a racing car transformed into a work of art as soon as they entered the hotel.
Campa’s career is closely linked to the motoring world. He has worked with brands such as Porsche, MINI, TAG Heuer, Formula 1 itself and MotoGP, and his works form part of private collections and international galleries.
For the Grand Prix weekend, the hotel put together a VIP accommodation package featuring en-suite rooms, fine dining, wellness, cultural activities and personalised services. What set it apart from other offers was the art.
Campa created a for VP Plaza España Design a limited edition series of pieces inspired by engines and motor racing. Guests booking premium packages could receive one as a gift. Some were large-format, one-off pieces, whilst others were part of limited editions created specifically for this collaboration. In this way, the experience continued beyond the race weekend, hanging on the wall at home.
The hotel’s aim was to ensure that the Formula 1 experience didn’t end when the chequered flag came down. From Plaza de España, guests could combine a visit to the circuit with a luxury stay right in the city centre: dinners and drinks at Ginkgo Restaurant & Sky Bar, regarded as one of the best terraces in the world for its 360° views over the city, and moments of relaxation on the VP Biloba Spa or in its outdoor swimming pool on the 12th floor.
The collaboration with Manu Campa is in keeping with the hotel’s identity. VP Plaza España Design is home to a a private collection of over 300 works of avant-garde art, reserved for its customers, which makes it a veritable museum of contemporary art. It is also a benchmark in design, architecture, technology and sustainability, with LEED Gold certification. Bringing together design, art and a passion for motoring was, therefore, a natural way to get involved in an event such as the Grand Prix.
Through this initiative, VP Plaza España Design demonstrated an approach to luxury hospitality that we at SIE share. For this hotel, excellence is not just about offering impeccable accommodation. It is about to create unique experiences, linked to what is happening in the city and capable of leaving a lasting impression. The arrival of Formula 1 in Madrid was a good opportunity to demonstrate this.
Situated in Plaza de España, the hotel features 214 rooms, a private collection of over 300 works of contemporary art, VP Biloba Spa, an outdoor swimming pool on the 12th floor, a gym, on-site car park, several restaurants and more than 1,400 m² of event venues. It also houses the Ginkgo Restaurant & Sky Bar on the rooftop.
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