| The famous five |
 Let all your troubles melt away at one of our five top spas around the country, as recommended by Louise Cook.
Six Senses Spa, Hotel Arts, BarcelonaBest for: cutting edge bliss Given the elevated location of this world-class spa, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve died and gone to heaven. Teetering above Barcelona on the 42nd and 43rd floors of the gloriously trendy Hotel Arts, the Six Senses Spa is simply outstanding. One of a chain of spas found in some of the world’s most idyllic locations, the Six Senses treatments are based on the most profound understanding of holistic healing and wellbeing. Facilities include separate men’s and women’s water circuits, saunas with a vertigo-defying glass wall offering a bird’s eye view of the Mediterranean, ice fountains, and diaphanous areas for yoga and relaxation. One of the most talked about signature treatments is stone therapy, 3 hours of bliss at the hands of two highly-skilled massage therapists. Other inviting treats from the spa menu include the Thai Vitality Ritual, Renew Rose Facial, and the Jet Lag Revival treatment. The spa also offers a wide range of massage styles, beauty treatments and chromotherapy. Six Senses Spa, Hotel Arts, Barcelona, tel: 0034 93 221 1000, www.sixsenses.com Barceló La Bobadilla, La Loja, Granada Best for: relaxing country idyll Voted one of the best hotels in the world in this year’s Tatler Travel Guide, the spa forms part of La Bobadilla’s enduring wow factor. It was also voted the best spa in Spain at the recent World Travel Market in London. Located in the heart of the Andalucían countryside, far from day-to-day stresses and distractions, the 700 m2 spa offers such delights as a heated hydro massage pool, scent shower with colourtherapy, Turkish bath and thermal deck chairs. The huge outdoor pool is one of the major attractions. Top treatments include Chakra hot stone massage, Caviar deluxe facial and a Goddess-style milk bath. Those spa-goers hoping to lose weight may fall at the hurdle of the hotel’s restaurant - the only 5 fork establishment in the province of Granada, the gastronomy is sublime. Hotel La Bobadilla, La Loja, Granada, tel: 0034 958 321 861, www.barcelo.com SHA Wellness Clinic, Playa del Albir Best for: a macrobiotic experience One of the best newcomers to Spain’s increasingly complete range of spas, the SHA philosophy is based on the macrobiotic diet, under the direction of Michio Kuschi, one of the leading experts in modern macrobiotics. Combining a luxury hotel with the spa and health centre facilities, the SHA spa describes itself as a paradise at the service of your health and wellbeing. Focusing on the aspects of our lifestyle that can slow down the ageing process, the SHA experience helps to empower people to create age-defying habits, with diet, supplements, exercise and stress management. Yoga and meditation are also core pillars of the SHA’s effective programmes. A seven day stay - the recommended minimum - promises to create a fundamental shift in your body. Combining ancient Oriental disciplines with revolutionary Western techniques, the SHA experience will leave you revitalized both inside and out. 5, El Albir, 03581 Alicante, tel: 0034 902 995335, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Gran Hotel Elba, Estepona Best for: seawater special This beachfront hotel professes to offer guests the Art of Living Experience, and has been awarded the title of Best Holiday Hotel. The Thallasotherapy centre is one of the most impressive on the Costa del Sol, and the Elba is said to be a world leader in spa treatments. The wet area is vast, and includes two pools, saunas, Turkish baths, water jets, and a long etcetera. Use of this area is included in all the treatments on the extensive spa menu. The spa menu includes plenty of options for quick fixes or longer leisurely programmes for weightloss, wellbeing and rejuvenation. Some of the most appealing options include the Vichy shower with 4-handed massage, and the Belleza Marina (Sea Beauty) ritual, which includes a two hour face and body peel, seaweed wrap, massage and Cleopatra facial. There is also an indulgent Golden Day, which incorporates real gold leaf into the luxurious face and body treatments. Gran Hotel Elba, Estepona, tel: 0034 952 809 200, www.hoteleselbaestepona.com Balneario Metropolitan Gran Hotel, Hespería La Toja Best for: classic spa treatments A well-established spa within a classic 5-star hotel, La Toja’s therapeutic mineral water springs are world famous and have been promoting good health since 1846. Located in a breathtaking natural setting on a picturesque estuary, a spa break at the 5 star Hotel La Toja is sure to be therapeutic. The waters of the mineral springs are particularly recommended for alleviating skin, bone and stress problems, but can help treat a wide range of conditions, as well as being supremely relaxing in hydrotherapy treatments. The spa, which was refurbished in 2005, invites guests to stimulate their senses; sing under the Vichy shower and kick back and relax in the wet area while enjoying the rarified ambience. Combining the forces of natural mineral water springs, and state-of-the-art facilities, underwater massage and pressotherapy are two of the spa’s specialities. Packages include a room for two, a day’s access to the water circuit, 20% discount on treatments, and late check out - for just 135€, while a long list of treatments and health-promoting programmes are available. Isla La Toja, Pontevedra, tel: 0034 986 730 025, www.hesperia.com |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|