Our Product Manager, Helen, headed off to Spain to check out Thalasso Hotel Termas Marinas and reports back on her findings:
What were your first impressions of the hotel?
How close it is to the sea and yet how tucked away it is, nestling into the hillside, shaded by pine trees and perfumed with jasmine. The hotel dates back to the late 1800s, a former villa which was transformed by the welcoming Farnos family in the early ‘70s and then extensively renovated about ten years ago, so it’s traditional and charming, rather than contemporary.
What do you think makes the hotel so special?
For sure, a special component is the fact that it’s a family-run, independent hotel, many of the staff have worked at the hotel for over twenty years so the atmosphere is warm, friendly and informal, which makes for a relaxing stay (it’s always a good sign in my book when the cleaning team sing as they clean). The owner, being a doctor now in his mid-80s, pioneered Thalassotherapy in Spain, bringing the concept across from France and opening the hotel as the first Thalassotherapy hotel in Spain. He still lives at the hotel, in an apartment on the top floor of the hotel, with his devoted wife, and they are living examples of the therapeutic power of Thalassotherapy. Not only is the concept powerful for re-balancing the nervous system and helping guests sleep and de-stress, it is also beneficial for joint aches, back pain, skin disorders and assisting with slimming and cellulite reduction. I would also say that the location is special too, being quiet and peaceful yet just a five minute stroll to the long sandy beach of Benicassim, as is the size of the hotel – just 74 bedrooms and suites, so it’s large enough to create a sociable atmosphere but small enough to be personal and welcoming to single travellers, as well as couples or friends.
What was your favourite treatment?
I loved the algae wrap, which was soothing to the touch and relaxing as a treatment, but also re-mineralising. The wet treatment rooms are quite simple but clean and the therapists are highly trained. Mercedes, the massage therapist, was particularly excellent.
What was your favourite activity?
Aside from following the suggested circuit around the Thalssso pool (donning a swimming cap and following the picture-signs... thankfully art is international!), I particularly loved heading out for a morning run along the fantastic promenade directly in front of the hotel. Set on a former rail track, the trail leads to the beach and town centre if you turn right from the hotel and into a more rural area, along the coast and cutting through the rocks, if you turn left from the hotel. The promenade is well used by walkers, cyclists and runners, so it’s motivating as well as scenic.
How was the food?
I loved the variety on offer. For a weight-loss programme, the nutritionist discusses the meal plan with each guest, selecting the most appropriate from a Mediterranean diet, a protein-heavy diet and a vegan detox option, personalising the weekly meal plan for each guest. For other guests, there is a choice within the daily set menu, which includes four courses at lunchtime and also at dinner time, with highlighted options within each course showing Macrobiotic meals, low calorie meals and vegetarian options too. In the main restaurant, beer and wine can be purchased although it’s not encouraged for those on a weight loss programme of course. I liked the fact that the tables were small, ideal for single travellers or couples or a few friends travelling together and also a sharing table for solo travellers too.
Who would you recommend the hotel to?
This is a friendly, welcoming hotel with effective spa and wellness treatments so it suits single travellers, as well as couples or small groups of friends. It’s not ideal if you are looking for in-hotel entertainment as it’s a quiet, peaceful hotel (aside from the weekly jazz evenings in summer months) and it’s not ideal if you want wizz-modern bathrooms and contemporary lines as the style of the hotel is charming and traditional, peppered with antiques and paintings. It’s very Spanish, as most of the guests are Spanish, followed by French, so not all staff members speak fluid English but a good number do. It’s a perfect sunny, seaside, peaceful wellness break and whilst not luxury, this 4* hotel is fantastic value and has bags of charm and character. No wonder so many guests go back there, I would!
For personalised advice, please call our expert wellness team on 020 3735 7555.
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