It was my boyfriend Scott’s first massage, so he was understandably nervous. Not knowing what to expect or how the session would go left him a bit apprehensive—something I could relate to from my own first massage more than a decade ago. Those first jitters soon fade once the therapist’s hands begin their calming work, and I expected Scott would feel the same.
We were visiting Valencia, Spain, for a long weekend. A quick search and several recommendations kept pointing to Hotel Balneario Las Arenas as one of the city’s top spa destinations, so after two days in the center we made our way to the beachfront property to unwind. With so many positive reviews, I felt confident Scott would be in good hands for his introduction to massage.
Part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection, Hotel Balneario Las Arenas sits proudly along the Mediterranean. Its white facade, columns and balconies give the property an elegant, classic feel, and its buildings are arranged around a courtyard and pool. Las Arenas beach lies directly in front of the hotel, with Malvarrosa Beach and the promenade nearby. Even in early November the sea air invited a walk along the sand, which we happily took before our spa appointment.
Beyond the spa and luxurious rooms, the hotel offers many amenities. A well-equipped fitness center and outdoor tennis courts complement the wellness options. There are three swimming pools, a children’s Octopus Miniclub and a varied events program. We enjoyed lunch at Le Sorolla Brasserie before our treatments and appreciated the generous breakfast buffet each morning of our two-night stay. Given its location and facilities, the hotel also provides several meeting and event spaces and is a popular choice for weddings.
The spa is housed in a separate building from the main hotel. After checking in, we changed in our respective locker rooms and, because our appointment was late in the afternoon, the space felt almost private. I emerged to find Scott tapping his foot with nervous anticipation. We waited together on Z-shaped recliners in a quiet lounge until our therapists arrived.
Cold-water pool © HOTEL BALNEARIO LAS ARENAS
We were led into the treatment room for a couple’s massage. Scott was so curious about the surroundings that he barely registered the therapist’s instructions. I helped him settle in, then lay face-down on my table as the session began.
We had booked one-hour relaxation massages, though the spa’s menu includes many other treatments as well as a hair salon. I liked that they run monthly promotions and highlight seasonal treatments—nice touches that give visitors a sense of local flavor and variety.
As often happens during a calming massage, I drifted into a semi-drowsy state. I only came fully awake when it was time to turn over and heard Scott’s therapist, Enrique, ask how he was doing. Scott’s reply—“I’m great; very relaxing”—earned me a quiet, smug smile; I’d told him he’d enjoy it.
Our massage ended, but the visit continued with the spa’s hydrotherapy wellness circuit. This comprehensive circuit features a Scottish shower, sauna, cold pool, steam bath, ice fountain, aromatherapy shower, bubble beds, an active pool and both indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis. At this stage we saw other guests, whereas earlier the experience had felt private and intimate.
We moved through the circuit together. Scott was braver than I was, plunging into the cold pool and standing under the freezing shower. The active pool contains powerful jets that helped work out any remaining tension. The hydrotherapy circuit was the perfect finish to our spa afternoon.
On the flight home, Scott stretched his neck and grinned. “I could really use another massage from Enrique,” he said, already planning our next spa visit.
Hotel Balneario Las Arenas
Carrer d’Eugènia
Viñes, 22, 24
46011 Valencia,
Spain
tel 34 963 120 600
hotelvalencialasarenas.com/en