Spas in Spain appeal to every taste

Zen-like Clinic, Island Resort or Art Nouveau Thermal Spa

Spas have been around in Spain some 2,000 years, since Roman times.  Today, there’s a new generation of spa resorts and wellness clinics to appeal to every taste.  Not to be outdone, turn-of-the-century balnearios are sprucing themselves up and adding state-of-the-art facilities.  In its 17 regions, the country offers a tremendous variety of spa experiences.  With 8,000 miles of coast – Spain borders the Mediterranean to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west – spas in the coastal areas take full advantage of the healing powers of sea water in their therapies.  And with some 2,000 registered thermal springs in the mountains, spa goers can opt for treatments with those mineral-rich waters. Here are just three of the hundreds of spa choices for American visitors to Spain.

Alicante, Valencia – SHA Wellness Clinic

Spain’s first macrobiotic spa is drawing travelers serious about their health.  Opened last November, the SHA Wellness Clinic is nestled in the hills above the beach town of Altea near Alicante in the region of Valencia.  Architect Carlos Gilardi and interior designer Elvira Blanco Montenegro have used marble, natural stone, glass and steel to achieve a clean minimalist look.  Water is both a design element and an integral part of the clinic’s therapy with waterfalls cascading into pools throughout the property.  

Five structures – linked by bridges – house 93 suites ranging in size from 860 square feet to over 3,400 square feet.  All have terraces; some are equipped with hydro-spas; and the Presidential Suite has its own swimming pool and solarium.  Set amidst tropical gardens, the white-washed complex has several large swimming pools, relaxation areas, yoga rooms, a gym, paddle tennis courts – and a putting green.

The 14,000-square-foot spa is divided into a thalasso-thermal zone and a treatment zone.  The former has therapeutic pools, physio-hydromassage beds, a toning pool, sauna, tepidarium, caldarium and relaxation areas.  A tea house is set amidst a Zen garden. The treatment zone has 16 rooms offering an extensive menu of natural therapies, massages and beauty treatments.  The new restaurant which debuted in May offers macrobiotic cuisine and Mediterranean and Japanese dishes.

SHA aims to significantly improve and prolong the wellbeing of its guests through the fusion of ancient Asian disciplines and modern Western techniques.  Focusing on three concepts: the SHA method, anti-aging and aesthetics medicine, the clinic has a team of doctors, aestheticians and consultants on natural therapies available to guests. Treatments under the “SHA method” area include Acupuncture, shiatsu, yoga, chi-kung, tai-chi, watsu, laughter therapy, reflexology and reiki.  Under the “anti-aging” area, the clinic offers exclusive and completely natural procedures that manage to control cellular changes by decreasing free radicals and stopping cellular oxidation over time. Under the “aesthetic medicine” area, the treatments use cutting-edge technology like ultrasound, laser and LED devices to stimulate the curative response.  All procedures are non-aggressive and non-invasive and include biological therapies such a biostimulation to help increase platelet growth and mesotherapy for the prevention and treatment of the skin’s aging.

Close by the clinic are four championship golf courses, including one designed by Jack Nicklaus.  Five marinas dot the nearby coastline and the Natural Park of Sierra Helada, one of Europe’s large bird sanctuaries, borders the property.
A seven-day “Anti-stress Program” costs about $1,654 (1,170 euros) and includes medical consultations, a customized diet, daily fitness and entertainment activities, a relaxing massage and body wrap, and stress reduction session. Prices for the suites start at about $353 (250 euros) per day, double occupancy.  For more information about the SHA Wellness Clinic, located at Verderol, 5, Playa de Albir, Alicante, call: 011-34-96-681-1199, email: info@shawellnessclinic.com or go to www.shawellnessclinic.com .

Galicia – Gran Hotel La Toja

Located in the northwestern corner of Spain bordering the Atlantic, Galicia is known for its lush mountains and misty forests as well as its dramatic seascapes.  Along much of the region’s coast are “rías,” broad inlets formed by the sea flowing inland.  Renowned as one of Spain’s best spa hotels, the 5-star Gran Hotel La Toja sits on La Toja Island lying off the coast of the region’s Rías Baixas area.  Surrounded by pine trees and connected by a bridge to the mainland, the 197-room spa resort is set in beautiful gardens with towering palms.  The original section of this 1907 dowager retains its art nouveau style with a fabulous intricately-designed staircase and exquisite stain glass windows.  A more modern section houses the up-to-date spa.  And to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2007, the resort was completely refurbished. 

This area of Galicia is justly famed for the quality of its hot springs – boasting some of the best, medicinal waters of its kind.  All spa treatments make full use of the waters and the mineral-rich mud from the surrounding rías.  Facilities include a seawater Jacuzzi, scented baths, Turkish baths and mineral-medicinal cold water sprays.  The spa’s hyper thermal pools containing sodium and bromine are used to treat rheumatic, respiratory and E.N.T infections, skin illnesses, varicose veins and cardiovascular problems.

Besides its three restaurants, the resort features the nine-hole Golf Club Isla de la Toja, an Olympic-size swimming pool, three tennis courts, two paddle tennis courts, a fitness center and a beauty salon.
Rooms are equipped with terraces, Wi-fi and satellite TV and start at $430 (or 304 euros) per day, double occupancy including access to the Thermal Club.
For more information about Gran Hotel la Toja, located on Isla de la Toja, O Grove, Pontevedra, call: 011-34-986-730-025, email: hotel@granhotellatoja.com or go to www.granhotellatoja.com

Tenerife, Canary Islands – Abama Resort Golf & Spa

Visitors to Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands have another spa experience in store. Tucked away in Guía de Isora, a tranquil and undiscovered area of the island, the Abama Golf & Spa Resort, operated by The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.,  is a 400-acre finca surrounded by volcanic landscapes, lush vegetation with some 300 varieties of plants, trees and palm trees and breathtaking views of the Atlantic.  Lying on the slopes of the majestic dormant volcano of Mount Teide, Spain’s highest peak at 12,195 feet, the Abama Golf & Spa Resort resembles a castle made from terra cotta.     

The 478-room resort has a private beach, seven swimming pools, a golf course designed by Dave Thomas, the Sánchez-Casal Tennis Academy and 10 dining options – ranging from Japanese to Argentinean – all directed by 3-star Michelin chef Martín Berasategui.  The Basque chef’s signature restaurant, M.B., offers Mediterranean dishes with an emphasis on the bounty of the sea.  Japanese cuisine is on the menu at Kabuki, overseen by Ricardo Sanz, whose restaurant in Madrid has been cited as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Europe.
Tenerife draws golf and tennis aficionados and sun worshippers – since it enjoys more sun than any other part of Spain – which is saying a lot.  The Out of Africa-inspired spa boasts a thermal circuit with a sauna, tepidarium, and hamam, Jacuzzi, indoor pools, a hydrotherapy pool and a spa garden. A range of therapies are featured including thalgo and ytsara treatments, dry wraps, aromatherapy, reflexology and Swedish and Ayurvedic massages.  The Fitness Center has all the latest state-of-the-art equipment.
The “A La Carte” Wellness Plan includes accommodations for seven nights in a deluxe room with breakfast at La Veranda, a personalized diagnosis with a nutritionist, a fitness evaluation and treatment consultation, daily access to fitness classes, the thermal water circuit, and the gym and one signature ritual for $2,141 (or 1,515 euros) per person, double occupancy. For more information on Abama Golf Resort & Spa, located at Carretera General, TF-47, km 9, Guía de Isora, Tenerife, call: 011-34-922-126-000, email: rc.tfsrz.reservation@ritzcarlton.com or go to www.abamahotelresort.com.

For information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7195).