Underground bathing at a Spanish monastery, thalassotherapy by the Atlantic in Tenerife, and a traditional sauna experience in Switzerland – these are the best spas in Europe
A spa break is simply a no-brainer for a physical and emotional wellness reboot. Happily, Europe is home to more spas than you can shake a stick at, many featuring custom treatments and therapies for a holistic experience tailored to you. Expect hi-tech health analysis, rejuvenating hydrotherapies and baths, and plenty of outdoor and indoor activities to add a little action to the tranquillity.
The marketing of wellness facilities frequently looks to appeal to the female visitor. However, spas are an excellent choice for all. In fact, nearly 50% of spa goers in the US are male, according to the International Spa Association. This is no surprise considering the irrefutable benefits of a trip to the spa; personal pampering can boost mental clarity and increase serotonin and dopamine levels, and no matter the treatment, you’ll notice an improvement in stress levels.
Especially while travelling – whether your end destination is a spa or not – it is a good idea to take care of the mind and body with some on-the-go wellness products. The Cream by Le Domaine Skincare, The Balm by Joanna Czech, or The Moisturising Eye Cream by Acqua Di Parma would make great additions to your daily routine and travel washbag essentials.
Whether for therapeutic thermals beside pine-scented mountains or top-of-the-range treatments for health-conscious travellers, this is our pick of Europe’s best luxury spas for the modern gentleman.
Parador de Corias, Spain
Parador de Corias is located within the Romanesque walls of the Abbey of San Juan Bautista in northwestern Spain. The 11th-century monastery overlooks the dappled Narcea River that wends gently past the town and through a landscape characterised by mountains and vineyards. The interior is a striking convergence of traditional and contemporary design illuminated by hundreds of windows that marry countryside vistas with the décor within. The main treasure here, however, is the Corias Spa, located in the tastefully renovated cellars of the property. Under vaulted ceilings and low-level lighting, visitors can enjoy facials, massages and treatments, as well as amenities including a Turkish bath, an aroma mist shower and a hydro-massage pool.
Clinique La Prairie, Switzerland
A sophisticated Swiss chateau is gracefully announced by towering cypress trees and a soft Alpine breeze that speaks to the soothing atmosphere that envelops this award-winning spa hotel. At Clinique La Prairie, guests can recharge and refresh with transformative treatments that leave a lasting impression on both the body and soul. Beneath the blue skies of the ‘Swiss Riviera’ and within dazzling white interiors lies a host of restorative experiences, including skin and body cellular treatments, cryotherapy, and even neurostimulation and sound therapies. This is the cutting-edge of wellness where skilled practitioners meet exemplary treatments in a combination that is sure to impress.
Molitg-les-Bains, France
Situated at the bottom of a verdant cliffside and seemingly floating above a forest, Molitg-les-Bains gives the feeling of being suspended atop the Catalan Pyrénées. This proximity to nature – the region is scattered with olive trees and aloe vera – sets the tone for a rejuvenating and relaxing stay beneath the sunny skies of southern France. The peach-coloured resort emerges from the shrubbery to reveal a thalassotherapy spa complete with hydrotherapy baths, white clay baths and even mist rooms for gentle hydration. Molitg-les-Bains is home to rich thermal waters that are extracted from the ground and used within the spa for their minerals and healing properties.
Oceano, Tenerife
Oceano is set between the Atlantic Ocean and the Anaga Biosphere Reserve in northwestern Tenerife. The result is a quiet and calming environment with exceptional views of the unspoilt mountain landscape. The spa embodies the Latin phrase sanus per aquam (health through water), and guests can feel the harmony of the sea throughout the property. Recently refurbished, Oceano offers health programmes, thalassotherapy, massages and therapies, as well as Ayurvedic treatments. A roof terrace with seemingly endless ocean views is the perfect spot for yoga and fitness sessions. Bouldering, tennis, hiking, surfing, golf and horse riding add to the extensive list of available activities.
Walliser Alpentherme, Switzerland
A quintessential alpine panorama envelops Walliser Alpentherme, a series of thermal baths and spa facilities in southern Switzerland. It is thought to take more than 40 years for the water beneath the mountains to become sufficiently enriched with minerals and heated to a balmy 51° Celsius, at which point it gently ripples from the floor and straight into the Leukerbad baths. It goes without saying that this is the treatment to have; guests can enjoy the water’s healing properties against a striking mountain backdrop surrounded by fresh Alpine air. The Valais Sauna Village invites relaxation in more than 300m2 of rustic heated cabins, and the Roman-Irish Bath offers a two-hour bathing ritual followed by a soap brush massage.
