A secluded stay in a five-star Spanish spa

The perfect antidote to work stress, as Adrienne Wyper discovered

Suffering the kind of work-induced stress that's palpable in many a workplace at the moment, a spa trip to five-star Villa Padierna, part of the Ritz-Carlton chain, was exceptionally well timed.

 

‘Replacing worldly concerns with a world of comfort' is the spa's claim - and we weren't disappointed...

 

Bed, bath and beyond

Our room was vast, lavish and comfortable, from the firm bed with luxury Frette linen and piles of plump pillows. The marble bathroom with separate bath and shower plus two sinks made simultaneous ablutions easy.

As well as the so-comfortable-I-don't-want-to-get-up bed there was a cosy sofa and a dining table by the window, with views over the lake and golf course, and down to the Mediterranean. As well as TV there was also a CD player with complimentary CD of a local flamenco artist.

 

 

In good hands

The Thermae Spa boasts a long line-up of saunas and steam rooms, scented with aromas to distract and to transport you elsewhere, from Indian spice, to a tropical rainforest. The seating inside is made of carved stone with armrests for each person, with the feel of a Roman bathhouse.

 

After a sauna, my partner Bob and I scrubbed each other with sea-salt crystals to exfoliate the skin. A shower, back in the sauna, a shower, into the Turkish steam room, another shower... We chickened out of a quick dip in the ice-cold plunge pool and eased into the warm indoor pool, otherwise empty. Underwater jets massaged our backs, feet and shoulders, and mirrored bubbles on the ceiling gave a very out-of-body view of us floating on our backs.

 

When my full body massage was due I was tracked down and escorted to my treatment room - a nice touch as you can't wear a watch in a sauna. My masseuse offered me a choice of relaxing or invigorating... I went for relaxing, of course....

 

This was one of the best massages I've ever had (I'm lucky enough to have had a few - and I'm a qualified masseuse). Her pressure was of the perfect intensity for me - I like it light by most people's standards - and her strokes flowed seamlessly as she switched techniques and areas. Expertly identifying my super-tense zones - the shoulders - she deftly applied powerful manoeuvres to release the muscular tension. At times I would have believed there were two pairs of hands at work. After an hour of her efficient attention I was so relaxed I could hardly speak when she asked if I'd like a few minutes alone before getting up.

 

The Thermae Spa offers a full range of treatments for body, mind and soul including facials, full-body exfoliation and chakra-balancing.

 

Secluded spots

Wander around the hotel, past antique statues and paintings, and you'll discover pleasant places to sit with a book or an eye on the view. The main foyer is skylit, with comfortable wicker furniture. Off the corridor leading to the swimming pool is a three-sided terrace (right), lush with ferns and tropical greenery - perfect for a quiet read. 

 

The outdoor pool is edged with soothing Moorish-inspired water features (left) offering a soothing trickle in the background. Curl up on one of the many inviting loungers and look out over one of the golf course greens or towards the Andalusian hills.

 

On the table

Once buffed and blissed-out, we enjoyed the 10-course tasting menu of Martín Berasategui, savouring exquisite plateful after exquisite plateful, and took the wine waiter up on her offer of recommending a wine for each dish. All were sumptuous, particularly the Albariño from Galicia in northern Spain. For an expert's review, read Good Housekeeping cookery writer Meike Ford's account here...

 

Further afield...

 

For a quick beach break, take the hotel's complimentary shuttle to Puro Beach, a beachside bar with infinity-edge pool, open-air four-poster beds, views of Gibraltar and the coast of Africa and a great sound system.

 

Don't miss the chance to visit Marbella's old town: an oasis of traditional Spain on the over-developed Costa del Sol. After a 25€ taxi ride from the hotel, take the sea air with a stroll along the Paseo Maritimo (the ‘prom') then turn inland and follow the signs to the ‘Casco Viejo'. Wander the winding cobbled streets beneath the orange trees. Stop for a drink or dinner in Plaza de Naranjos, shaded by clusters of orange trees.

 

 

Find out more

For more information, and to book, contact Hotel Villa Padierna, Marbella. Spa packages start from 254€ per night - book in advance before the end of September and save up to 25% on accommodation.

 

Looking for more inspiration?

See last month's spa review here, an idyllic UK retreat

 

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