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Eight Great Thalasso Spas in Spain

The word Thalasso comes from the Greek Thalassa meaning the sea or energy from the sea and these days Thalasso Spa is the therapeutic use of seawater. Thalasso treatments use seaweed, seasalt and ocean water which allows the absorption of important vitamins and minerals to help balance the mind and body.

The idea of a Thalasso treatment is that sea water has strong healing properties, in  tests algae and sea weeds have proven to have powerful natural antiseptic and antibiotic properties,  and possess a large range of vitamins, calcium, iron, proteins and minerals.

Gran Hotel Elba Estepona Thalasso Spa

Since Roman times the benefits of bathing in mineral or thermal waters where known and were used to treat medical complaints. In Thalasso Spas thermal water is used for baths, showers and inhalations in combination with relaxing, beauty  treatments, all for our general well-being and to ease aches and pains.

Seawater has beneficial effects upon our pores  and is applied as either  marine mud, algae paste,  inhalation or by showering.  Thalasso therapy is a natural  way to help you regain inner unity and harmony.

We’ve picked eight great Thalasso Spas hotels, five on the mainland and three on the Spanish Islands. The links are to Booking.com the best, easiest and most  immediate way of reserving hotels these days. They are affiliate links which means if you book via them we get a small commission to carry on bringing you great content.

Gran Hotel Elba Estepona & Thalasso Spa – Andalucia

Barcelo Estepona Thalasso Spa – Andalucia

Thalasso Hotel El Palasiet – Castellon

Hotel Blancafort Spa Termal – Catalonia

Hipotels Eurotel Punta Rotja Thalasso Spa & Golf – Mallorca

Mercure Thalasia Hotel & Thalasso Center – Murcia

Hotel SBH Costa Calma Palace Thalasso & Spa– Fuerteventura

Gloria Palace San Agustin Thalasso & Hotel – Gran Canaria

 

Hotel Viento 10 – Review

Small and chic with a charming twist of modern interwoven with ancient Moorish pillars and arches. A lovely vision of clean white lines and charm greeted me when the door was opened with a welcome smile framed by a beautiful patio beyond.

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Step inside and calm overtakes and washes away the stress of travelling. Hotel Viento 10, named after it’s street and number, is a boutique hotel, in my terms – unique, small, privately owned and impeccable.

The well-renovated small house town house means some of the rooms are small too, our room, the largest overlooked the front which is a narrow side street between the Jewish quarter and the River Guadalquivir. A great location just a few minutes walk to the bustling centre and the Mezquita.

Hotel Viento 10, Cordoba

White and charming beamed ceiling,  the most comfy hotel bed ever, and a huge spacious sink and surround. A surprise too were the Woods of Windsor toiletries, home from home, behind the pink glass doors a very spacious and powerful shower and loo. All spot on.

Woods of Windsor
From our first-floor passageway we could look down on the patio and breakfast room, which seeing the set tables enticed us to partake in what is the prettiest breakfast I’ve ever had.

Hotel Viento 10, Cordoba

The lounge/breakfast room has an honesty bar for your nightcap and lots of reading about Cordoba and its surrounds.
There is a delightful petit roof terrace complete with sunbeds and city views, unfortunately our stay in December didn’t entice their use!

This is a delightful retreat with only eight bedrooms to which I thoroughly enjoyed having my own front door key even if it was only for a short period of time.

See Hotel Viento 10 on Only Spain ~ Boutique Hotels

Luxury Cycling Holidays

Echelon – small, family run exclusive cycling holidays – luxury vacations for discerning cyclists

Echelon are passionate about cycling and believe that it’s the best way to discover and live the experience of a new place. They believe that by cycling you can connect with a region in a unique way not otherwise seen by visitors.

Guests cycling the Camino de Santiago
Cycling The Camino de Santiago de Compostela

As locals, keen cyclists and your guides, they know the regions well and have an intimate knowledge of the winding back roads, best views and sunsets and hidden gems that are often overlooked.

Herdade de Cortesia
Herdade de Cortesia

 

Committed to providing value and unique experiences, from the bikes and equipment used to staying in the best hotels and dining at the finest restaurants – that’s  Echelon – offering the exclusive for those looking for exclusivity.

Marques de Riscal, Rioja
Hotel Marques de Riscal, Rioja

Luxurious hotels, local food and delicious regional wine so you can relax and unwind after the day’s cycling, knowing everything else is taken care of by those who know how to provide the best Echelon.

Boutique Hotel Gar Anat, Granada

Boutique Hotel Gar Anat, Granada

The Gar Anat Pilgrims Hotel has always opened its doors to guests. This XVII palace was also a pilgrim hospital, time has left a huge amount of charm and its location is fabulous to explore the heart of Granada on foot. Take tea in the Moorish quarter of the Albaycin, stroll along The Darro river with incredible view of The Alhambra on the hill the other side.

When I was making plans to stay in Granada I knew I wanted a small, unique central characterful hotel. In a city center that’s not always easy to find and often one of those requisites goes out of the window. So when The Gar Anat came up in my search it stayed as top choice.

Boutique Hotel Gar Anat, Granada

Having been to Granada several times before, living under two hours away, I’d never stayed there, so when hubby and I decided exploring Granada was going to be our next escape I got to work. I have to say I love planning. I learn so much about a city and its hotels that it’s almost as much fun as the stay itself (but don’t tell hubby.)

We had planned to use the hotel parking which needs pre-booking and is a one-minute walk away but decided to park on the outskirts and take the bus in. A decision which worked out very well enabling us to get our bearings immediately. We found the hotel tucked away between narrow streets and charming plazas. Dumped our bags and with some great advice from the friendly receptionist began our explorations.

Boutique Hotel Gar Anat, Granada

The hotel really is slap bang in the center of what we wanted to visit, surrounded by great tapas bars and no distance to the cathedral, Sacromonte, Albayzin and our planned Arab Bath experience. Each of the 15 uniquely decorated themed-rooms and suites are spread over three floors, very much like a theatre from the Spanish Golden Age and it’s that gallery that inspired the use of writers names and literary works for the décor of the rooms.

Boutique Hotel Gar Anat, Granada

Our first floor room just off the ‘stage’ was called ‘Viaje a la Alpujarras‘ ‘Journey to the Alpujarras’ inspired by the famous book by Pedro Antonio de Alarcon.

Everything about this cosy, charming hotel is impeccable. The welcome and service. The enormous range of breakfast fare in a gorgeous vaulted cellar. Its unique building and décor, a blend of old and new which merges gracefully. I guess the only downside it there is no restaurant but with a whole city of tapas bars on its doorstep I for one wouldn’t have dined in.

A place of stillness and quiet, when you retreat inside it’s a treat to discover – a top choice.

See Hotel Boutique Gar Anat on Only Spain ~Boutique Hotels our sister site.