Spain is like marmite: you either love it, or hate it. People love it for its affordability, beautiful temperatures and gorgeous Mediterranean food. And the haters? Well, it can be seen as a little tacky, cliché, and touristy thanks to popular destinations such as Benidorm, Magaluf and Ibiza.
In actuality however, Spain is home to some extremely luxurious resorts, from spa hotels to all-inclusive resorts. Spanish holidays have the added benefit of short haul flights, so if you pick the right stay you get all the luxury of a high end hotel, without the stress and delay of excessively long flights.
Here are the top 5 luxury Spanish resorts to visit in 2016.
Princesa Yaisa Suite Hotel, Lanzarote
Sat on the Dorada Beach front in Lanzarote’s Playa Blanca, the Princesa Yaisa Suite Hotel is perfect if you like your hotels to be stunningly decorated with plenty of leisure, fitness and health activities freely available. Walking in, you are immediately wowed by the clean and highly finished décor; everything is contemporary yet classy, and you know from the get go you are in an upmarket hotel.
There are six pools to choose from, as well as two outdoor Jacuzzis and on-site Thalasso & Spa Centre, offering over 50 beauty and wellness treatments. Each room has its own balcony or terrace with amazing ocean views, and guests get their own soft robe and slippers to wile around in. With eight 5* restaurants, you’re never short of food choices; in fact, you’ll struggle to sample everything here due to the extensive menu ranges, but rest assured whatever you try will be delectable.
Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa, Marbella
One of Marbella’s finest resorts, Finca Cortesin provides nourishment for the mind, body and soul with the activities and facilities on offer. Both the hotel and huge gardens are a sight to behold; immaculately kept, with Moorish and Castilian elements. It is glamourous yet inviting, and luxurious in every way possible.
In terms of facilities, Finca Cortesin has a stunning full service spa, huge golf course and golf academy, a fitness centre and tennis courts, as well as three pools. The hotel also owns a Beach Club less than 1km away with an infinity pool, beachside restaurant and beach access.
A choice of three restaurants, including Michelin Star Kabuki Raw, gives a huge number of international dishes available for your picking, and with dinner served until 11pm and drinks until 2am, you’re well catered for.
Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa
Nestled in the manic party town Ibiza is luxury 5* resort Grand Palladium Palace Ibiza Resort & Spa. It’s mere metres away from the stunning Playa d’en Bossa beach, and just 15 minutes’ walk from the town centre for convenient access.
However, there isn’t actually any need to leave the hotel grounds; three a la carte restaurants and a buffet restaurant, an extensive entertainment programme including late night live music and shows, and sports facilities for tennis, basketball, beach volleyball and darts, not to mention a simply stunning spa with Jacuzzi, sauna, steam baths, and heated pools, will keep you busy during your stay should you wish to be!
Grand Palladium is all inclusive, so offers a great option for those wanting luxury without any unexpected costs. The food and drinks at all bars and restaurants on-site are made to a high standard, so expect to come back off holiday feeling very overindulged.
Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, Alicante
For those who would still rather be somewhere farther away than Europe, Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is a convincing replica of an exotic Asian resort. Thai-luxe rooms and a zen-calm garden, multiple infinity pools and a full service Asian inspired spa all lend to the illusion that you’re far from Spain.
There are four restaurants featuring Asian-Mediterranean infused dishes, as well as two poolside bars and an additional four lounge bars, so getting tired of the same scenery isn’t going to happen.
The interiors here are contemporary Asian, and the entire hotel is immaculately kept throughout. The entire resort is extremely spacious and with its calm atmosphere, it’s the perfect place when you need to relax, unwind and truly be at one with yourself.
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona
Located in the midst of Barcelona, Mandarin Oriental is a 5* hotel offering some of the most luxurious accommodation and facilities available in Spain. The roof top pool and terrace is a reason alone to stay at Mandarin Oriental as it provides a tranquil setting with unrivalled views of Barcelona.
Inside the hotel, décor is of a high standard; it is minimalistic but welcoming and it is obvious extreme care and attention to detail has been paid. The spa and fitness centre are both to a high standard, with the spa centre particularly being an incredible place to relax and unwind.
There are four restaurants available, from the 2 Michelin starred Moments which cannot be missed, to more casual dining at Mimosa Garden, BistrEau and Terrat.
mandarinoriental.com/barcelona/
India Benjamin is the the face behind UK lifestyle blog Touchscreens & Beautyqueens.
