Historic Spa Hotels of Spain

Flying into Madrid, you’ll pick up your hire car at the airport to make the scenic drive, through the Spanish countryside to your hotel, the wonderful Castilla Termal Balneario de Olmedo that rises above the ruins of the old Sancti Spiritus convent, founded in the 12th century. Rooms are refined, fresh and bright – the special suite is particularly cosy, all low lighting, timber beams and cosy seating areas. The wonderful thermal pool is enormous, with additional indoor and other outdoor pools, Jacuzzis, bubble massage seats and a hammam steam bath, as well as a sprawling relaxing area with a cosy crackling fireplace.

Stay: Castilla Termal Spa of Olmedo (Superior)

You’ll be situated in the town of Olmedo, in the province of Valladolid, considered to be one of the ‘Mudejar Capitals’ and boasting a rich history and artistic heritage. Explore the beautiful park of Pasion Mudejar before a tapas lunch in one of the cosy restaurants then, come evening, perhaps delight in the hotel’s excellent cuisine, enjoying ultra-fresh local fish and meat in the modern ambience of the restaurant. 

Stay: Castilla Termal Spa of Olmedo (Superior)

After breakfast, transfer to your next hotel, the Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena that sits within the walls of the best-preserved Cistercian monastery in Europe, built in the 12th century and right in the heart of the Ribera del Duero wine region. Rooms are ultra-cosy, with timber beams, white stone walls and distressed wood touches, offset with gorgeous bathrooms with free-standing baths. Most spectacular are the barn-conversion-esque suites with sprawling timber ceilings – and many have access to the private garden with a sauna. They're only surpassed by, naturally, the exquisite spa, that includes an enormous thermal mineral-medicinal pool, sauna, hammam and every treatment you can think of. Perhaps take dinner this evening among the exquisite white-stone walls of the restaurant – we recommend the tasting menu, where you'll enjoy the likes of tuna tataki, seabass with chimichurri, Iberian pork flank and Brioche French toast with caramelised cream – best enjoyed alongside world-class wines, paired perfectly to each dish.

Stay: Castilla Termal Monastery de Valbuena (Deluxe)

Enjoy the delights of the hotel this morning, or perhaps head to Ribera del Duero’s excellent wineries. The history-steeped streets of San Bernado are also just moments away, from its historic bullring to Spain's first firefighter’s station. Come back to the hotel and perhaps enjoy a wine tasting experience in the spectacular monks winery before another dinner where the likes of Iberian ham croquettes, duck confit and Castilla suckling lamb cutlets are all on the menu.

Stay: Castilla Termal Monastery of Valbuena (Deluxe)

After breakfast today, head to your next hotel of the trip, the Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma, situated in the ancient site of the Renaissance University of Santa Catalina. We recommend upgrading to a junior suite, where a dark, ultra-modern bathroom is offset against traditional white-stone walls. The spa truly feels historic and is an interpretation of the beautiful Mozarab chapel of the 11th century. Enjoy the likes of a sauna with colour therapy, river-pebble foot baths, bi-thermal showers and a hammam steam bath alongside creative rituals such as de-stressing mud wraps and antioxidant wine hydro-massages. The refined restaurant is all distressed wood floors, dark walls, intimate lighting and original stone walls, their splendour matched by such creative delights as crispy duck with roast apple cream, beef carpaccio and grilled beef skirt steak with fried yucca.

Stay: Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma (Superior)

Enjoy a relaxing day at the hotel today, or head into the town of El Burgo de Osma, designated as an Historic Artistic Site. Don’t miss the pretty Roman bridge that's shadowed by the spectacular hilltop Castle of Osma, the cathedral and tomb of El Burgo de Osmo and the University of Santa Catalina, which in itself is stunning, before enjoying a final dinner either in town or at the hotel.

Stay: Castilla Termal Burgo de Osma (Superior)

After breakfast, from El Burgo de Osma continue back south via the heritage town of Sigüenza to Castilla Termal Briheuga. Built under the walls of a former 18th century Royal cloth factory, surrounded by the lavender fields of the small town of Guadalajara, in the heart of the La Alcarria region. The unique round building gives all the rooms views of either the town or valley that surrounds it. Relax and enjoy views from the infinity pool, extensive spa area, and in the evening perhaps enjoy local cuisine ranging from Alcarria-style morteruelo to cod with cockscomb stew, or local meats from Iberian pork sirlion to kid goat cutlets cooked on a hot tile - best enjoyed alongside world-class wines, paired perfectly to each dish.

Stay: Castilla Termal Briheuga (Deluxe)

Brihuega is often given the name the Spanish Provence thanks to its stunning beauty and lavender fields (which bloom in June and July). The moors and slopes of the Tajura river area reveal riverside paths where you can explore dream landscapes, and a perfect way to discover the charms of the Tajura river path. Near the hotel, you can visit the museum of Alcarria Honey, or tour the black villages of Guadalajara, taking their name from their blackish appearance due to the abundance of slate used in the buildings.

Stay: Castilla Termal Briheuga (Deluxe)

On your last day, drive back to Madrid to drop your car off and make your flight home.