28 Dec
Balneario de Lugo
Number of rooms: 64
The waters from the spring were used by the Romans, and as proof of this the spa proudly boasts the ancient thermae, which have been awarded the status of a Place of Cultural Interest and are open to visitors. A more ambitious project for the future will involve the excavation of an old Roman pool outside the premises, and its possible use by spa-goers. One of the catchments for its waters is the same as that used by the Romans in their time, and even the arena where they performed their exercises came to light some years ago during building work on an extension to the cafeteria. In all probability previous inhabitants of the area also benefited from its waters, but there is absolutely no doubt that generations and generations of inhabitants of Lugo down to the present day have built up a major tradition of taking the waters in this spa. Located just outside the city, and set in the middle of a ten-kilometre landscaped riverside promenade along the banks of the Río Miño, a completely renovated 19th century building houses most of the guest rooms and the medicinal spa. An annexe, built in 2001, houses a further twenty or so rooms and the modern leisure spa, oriented more towards relaxation and beauty treatments. All this only a few steps away from the attractions of the city of Lugo. Continue reading »
16 Dec
Balneario de Río Pambre
Number of rooms: 11
Set in the midst of a rugged landscape at the end of a forestry track, this establishment, which is built in stone, wood and slate and opened in the summer of 2003, is only a few kilometres away from the Way of St James, the traditional pilgrims’ route to Santiago de Compostela. Most of its attractive rooms, whether located in the main building or in the two circular annexes with their thatched roofs, have picture windows offering views over the river and the leafy forest on its banks, and with luck, guests can catch a glimpse in the distance of the bucolic ruins of Pambre Castle, one of the best-preserved examples of medieval military architecture in the whole of Galicia. The atmosphere of the hotel and its carefully chosen decor, which in the winter of 2006 added a lounge with an open fireplace and cosy reading nooks where guests can continue to relax after a session in the spa, give it an air of a rural farmhouse or a delightful family-run hotel. Another feature in its favour is the possibility of going for walks or bicycle rides in the surrounding countryside. Continue reading »
7 Dec
Balneario de Compostela
Number of rooms: 59
Although its stylised decor, the technology embedded in both hotel rooms and spa area and even its smell of newness insist on reminding us that this hotel-spa, located in a residential area of Santiago, opened its doors towards the end of 2004, the fact is that locals still refer to it as the Burga do Tremo (Tremo Hot Spring), monstrance of the historical spring of Our Lady of the Angels, where even today many people still go to fill a bottle or two with its waters. All that is left of the old spa is an ancient oak tree in the garden of the hotel, some of the old stone houses where people who came to take the waters stayed, and, naturally, the waters themselves with their high mineral content. Everything else in this complex, built at the side of the Santiago –Noia road, is brand new, something which becomes apparent immediately one sets foot inside its spacious lobby and reception area, an impression that is reinforced on entering the 2,000 square metres of its impeccable spa facilities, spread over two floors and divided into a Treatment Zone and the Thermal Club, flooded with natural light and showing a classy touch of design. These services, which combine the leisure and therapeutic aspects of thermalism, are complemented with a fully-equipped gym offering an infinite variety of classes led by trained monitors, free of charge to guests staying at the hotel. This combination makes this spa the perfect choice for those who dream of enjoying a few days spent pampering themselves or getting fit without having to forfeit the cultural and leisure attractions offered by a city like Santiago de Compostela, only ten minutes’ drive away. Continue reading »
28 Nov
Balneario de Arnoia
ARNOIA CALDARIA
C/Vila Termal, 1.
32417 Arnoia, Ourense
Tel: 988 492 400.
Fax: 988 492 422
reservas@caldaria.es
www.caldaria.es
Number of rooms: 50
Set amongst hillsides, vineyards and oak groves, a stone’s throw from the historical Jewish quarter of Ribadavia, Arnoia’s most prominent feature is its immense outdoor swimming pool, a vantage point overlooking the rugged landscape of this corner of the Ribeiro district, complemented by the spa’s indoor thermal pools with underwater jets that massage one’s whole body, and other delights such as the Thermarium circuit. The spa, which opened in 1995, has undergone constant minor modifications to both the spa area and the adjoining hotel, the last of which was finished in February 2006. Arnoia was one of the pioneers in combining the traditional therapeutic aspect of a spa with the more recently fashionable leisure side of a stay. Whilst the surrounding countryside offers relaxing walks for those in search of peace and quiet, more energetic visitors can play tennis, basketball or five-a-side football, go bike riding or enjoy a variety of activities in the Río Miño and Río Arnoia, including river trips in a catamaran. If the weather is good, a peaceful drink can be enjoyed on the banks of the river, in the pavilion next to the landing stage. Children have their own activity area, and at times when the spa is closed to them in high season they can take part special activities under the supervision of trained monitors, allowing their parents to relax. The full range of services offered by the spa is also available to guests staying at the Abadía de Arnoia, a former priory converted into a delightful and charming small hotel a stone’s throw from the spa itself, and under the same ownership. Continue reading »
18 Nov
Balneario de Lobios
Number of rooms: 85
This spa, decorated and furnished in minimalist style, opened its doors in June 2002 in the village of Riocaldo, in the midst of one of the areas of greatest environmental value in Galicia: the Baixa Limia-Serra do Xurés Nature Reserve. Archaeological digs close to the site of the Roman camp at Portoquintela (Bande) bear witness to the fact that the waters in this area were used by the Romans, and the modern spa’s star product, the Thermarium circuit, sheer bliss for any hedonist worth his or her salt, owes its inspiration to the techniques they employed. Its location within the Nature Reserve allows visitors to enjoy a multitude of walks in the surrounding countryside, whilst its proximity to the Spanish-Portuguese border, little more than 6 kilometres away, provides an interesting alternative, as do nearby Celanova or Santa Comba de Bande. Children are well catered for at weekends and during high season, with a series of activities organised by trained monitors. Continue reading »
9 Nov
Balneario Illa da Toxa
Hesperia Isla de la Toja
Illa da Toxa.
36991 O Grove, Pontevedra
Tel: 986 730 050.
Fax: 986 730 101.
hotel@hesperia-isladelatoja.com
www.hesperia.es
Number of rooms: 104
This hotel, designed with exquisite taste in minimalist style, opened its doors in 2001. Adjoining the hotel proper is the spa area, also of modern design and with over 4,000 square metres of floor space devoted to both therapeutic spa treatments and the enjoyment of the properties of its waters through leisure activities. A children’s swimming pool was added to the Thermal Club in early 2006. This Club, whose main feature is a large pool containing sea-water heated to 33o C, is enclosed by a huge plate-glass window offering unrivalled views over the Ría de Arousa. This pool, however, with its waterfalls and underwater jets that massage every inch of your body, is only the relaxing final stage of a circuit with saunas and aromatised steam baths, interspersed with frost to give the body a thermal shock that reactivates the circulation, or with a few moments of rest on warm marble slabs to relax the muscles and ease backache. A golf course, tennis and paddle tennis courts and a variety of water sports complete the range of possibilities on offer. Continue reading »
