Gran Hotel Balneari Blancafort

The Centre Termal of the Hotel Blancafort Spa Termal offers the chance to enjoy mineral-medicinal waters on two thermal circuits. Balneotherapy specialists give advice along the route.

In the late 19th century, La Garriga, which had a very healthy microclimate, was a focus of attraction for the Catalan middle classes and intellectuals, who came in train from Barcelona. The Blancafort spa, opened in 1840, was a favourite place during this era of spa and tourist popularity for the town.

The village still retains traces of those heady bygone days, thanks in particular to the modernist and turn of the century residences built around that time, many of which have been preserved in perfect condition. These include, especially, Illa Raspall, a group of houses designed by the architect Manuel Joaquim Raspall along a promenade planted with ancient banana trees and which has been listed as a Bé d'Interés Nacional (site of special interest) in Catalonia.

The old spa, which remained closed for much of the 20th century, was completely refurbished in 2005, although it still preserves its charismatic façade. Fully equipped with modern facilities, it reopened under the name of Gran Hotel Balneario Blancafort.

The centre has a luxury hotel with 154 rooms, all with flat screen television, Internet connection and even a Hi-Fi system with CDs playing chill out style music, recorded exclusively for this resort. Facilities are completed with various restaurants and bars, and a Tisanerie serving juices and teas.

The spa and beauty services are also first class. The 3,000 square metres of facilities are spread over four areas. The Roman area houses the Templarium, recreating a Roman spa with its Tepidarium, Frigidarium and Caldarium.

In the western area you find the Natatorium, two outdoor pools and four indoor pools with hot spa water, as well as hydro massage baths and showers.

In the Oriental area you can enjoy a Shiatsu massage, a full Thai massage, Reiki therapy or a Balinese relaxation ritual. Finally, in the Islamic area, you can find various rituals inspired in the traditions of Zanzibar, with the emphasis on spices.

The hotel also has a gym, beauty studio, a shop selling products for the body and the mind, and services include a children´s crêche. However, the most original service is the chance to travel between the various buildings in the complex in electric buggies like the ones used on golf courses.

The water supplying the spa complex emerges at 60 degrees Centigrade and contains a considerable amount of sulphate and chloride, making it particularly suitable for treating skin complaints, stress, low muscle tone and problems with movement. They have a laxative, diuretic and stimulating effect, recommended in cases of liver problems.