Villa Padierna Thermas is an award-winning spa, bringing together medicinal thermal waters, Mediterranean Macrobiotic and gourmet spa cuisine as well as holistic spa treatments. Our product Manager, Helen, reports back on her visit:
What were your first impressions of the resort?
How well located it is, just a 45 min drive inland from Malaga and then you're in the traditionally Spanish, sleepy village of Carratraca. Right at the heart is the hotel, so you can easily walk around the pretty village. The views from the hotel are terracotta rooftops, matching the hue of the distant mountains opposite, and below lies olive and lemon groves in the valley. I loved how instantly I felt the presence of the past at the hotel, from the ancient horse-mounting blocks at the entrance to the antiques in the elegant reception and inner courtyard.
What do you think makes Villa Padierna special?
Due to the natural medicinal thermal waters in the village, Villa Padierna Thermas's history is definitely special – it was frequented by Lord Bryon, Napoleon III and Empress Eugenie, to name but a few prestigious previous guests. I love the way the interior designers have celebrated this link with copious paintings and pictures tastefully dotted around the hotel, along with many original antiques, I could have spent hours reading the old spa postcards and framed manuscripts. Even the Romans came to the village of Carratraca, to bathe their wounds and recharge in the restorative thermal waters, although they did get around a bit.
What was your favourite treatment?
The spa here offer a really wide range of treatments, but aside from the massages which are excellent, the private thermal circuit is very special. It's a real experience, having a serious of hot and cold mineral baths all to yourself, it makes you feel very much like a Roman Empress, albeit without the laurel! The healing properties of the Carratraca springs contain sulphur, calcium and magnesium, which clean impurities, relax the nervous system, soothe skin disorders, ease muscular and skeletal aches and pains, and not to mention help you sleep like a baby... There's a mixture of hammams and vichy showers in the spa (which is divided into three different areas – thermal, healing and beauty), as well as 21 treatment rooms, so it's very much geared around helping you look and feel rested and rejuvenated.
How was the food?
Superb – beautifully presented, well balanced and delicious. They have a variety of menus, from Mediterranean to healthy spa cuisine and then also a European modern Macrobiotic menu. The kitchen team are creative and very knowledgeable and by offering these different menus, it's perfect for a focused-wellness client (perhaps wanting to detox and lose weight) but also for a couple or group of friends, who want a relaxed break with a glass of wine (each can dine to their own agenda!). All meals here are served to you – there isn't a buffet in sight. Their indoor restaurant is elegant but I also loved their interior courtyard, having breakfast there listening to the sound of the little fountain was very peaceful. What's great is also their optional sharing table, so single travellers can dine together if they wish.
What was your favourite aspect of the resort?
The blend of history, thermal waters and the feeling of having a small village on your doorstep, so you really experience a slice of Spanish rural life. I loved the size of the hotel – it's not too large, with only 43 bedrooms and suites but be pre-prepared for a digital detox as the ancient walls are so thick that Wi-Fi doesn't work well in all bedrooms (it's fine in the reception and courtyard area). The recently refreshed decor is elegant and stylish, with a hint of English country house about it, I'm sure Lord Byron would have approved.
Who would you recommend Villa Padierna to?
It's perfect for someone wanting to do a focused detox or restorative thermal water wellness programme over a week long stay, as well as for someone preferring a lighter spa long weekend somewhere special. It's welcoming for single travellers but subtly romantic too for couples. If you're looking for hustle and bustle then it's not the right choice but for charm and elegance, coupled with a unique spa experience, then Villa Padierna Thermas is hard to beat.
For personalised advice, please call our expert wellness team on 020 3735 7555.
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