A Quinta da Auga, Santiago de Compostela

Location

Found on the banks of the River Sar, this luxury hotel is wrapped up in 10,000m2 of private estate. It’s an idyllic base for excursions into the surrounding region. There’s everything from Galician wine tasting and sailing along the postcard-perfect Rías Gallegas coast to a myriad of hiking trails and a whole suite of sports. Whether it’s golf, horse riding, fishing or climbing, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. You’ll also have all the heritage delights of Santiago de Compostela on your doorstep, with its cobbled streets host to tapas taverns, a stunning cathedral and an evocative old town. 

Accommodation

Housed in a paper mill that dates back to the 18th century, rooms are beautified by exposed, Galician stone walls and no shortage of antiques. Each is individually decorated, with art matched with delightful design elements, including inset window seats and marble bathrooms. Further luxuries include Nordic European down duvets and combed Egyptian cotton covers. It’s all complemented by delightful garden views. Upgrade to a suite for some Jacuzzi indulgence.

Dining

Featuring one of the region’s finest restaurants, dining is a real highlight at A Quinta da Auga. Here, traditional Galician cuisine – based on the finest of locally sourced ingredients – is complemented by a touch of contemporary innovation. As a coastal region, the seafood is a definite highlight, complemented by the orchard vegetables and legumes that provide the backbone of Spanish cuisine. You’ll also have the opportunity to consult with the chef to tailor your meal to your tastes. Perhaps you’d like your beef loin hamburger medium rare or your scallops served in their shells.

Facilities

To match the repose of its idyllic setting, A Quinta da Auga features a superb spa. Here, massages, beauty treatments and some of the country’s finest hydrotherapy facilities make a perfect end to a day spent sightseeing. Amenities also extend to a Turkish hamman, sauna, rain shower and heated pool. However, it’s the ‘Dead Sea Floatarium’ that impresses most. As the name suggests, it’s a floating pool, thought to have healing and beautifying properties. Either way, it’s certainly relaxing – as is the bar.