Located just one hour from the heart of the Costa del Sol, and 25 minutes from Málaga, is a magical destination, one of those places well worth a getaway– even for a few days – as it offers an exceptional travel experience in Spain.

It is the Villa Padierna Thermas Hotel in Carratraca village, bordering the Ronda mountain range, one of the gateways to Guadalhorce Valley and situated at the foot of Sierra Blanquilla, the source of Andalucía’s most famous sulphurous water natural springs, offering enormous rejuvenating properties.

It could be said that “health tourism” began in Carratraca during the Roman era. Centuries later, the Arabs also used these “miracle” waters. They were the ones who gave the town its name, “Karr-al-krak”, which roughly translates as “cleansing of after-effects”. And it was here where they cleansed their impurities. Apparently, commander Omar Ben Hafsum used the spring for rest and recuperation on many occasions.

In the mid-1900s the waters were declared a public utility and Fernando VII ordered the construction of a neo classic-style spa in sandstone and marble.

Since then many illustrious visitors have travelled to Carratraca to “take the waters”: Empress Eugénie de Montijo (wife of Napoleon III); Cánovas del Castillo, Spain’s most famous politician in the 19th century; writers and poets such as Rainer María Rilke, Lord Byron, Alexandre Dumas, Campoamor, Vicente Aleixandre and Antonio Gala; and, more recently, actors including Antonio Banderas.

Eight years ago, the Carratraca Roman Thermal Spring was reborn with greater force than ever before thanks to the personal efforts of Ricardo Arranz, also owner of the Villa Padierna resort on the Costa del Sol, which comprises a five-star luxury hotel and three golf courses.

Arranz decided to restore this historical jewel, adapting it to new technologies and current requirements of health tourism. And now this classic spa is once again widely renowned among “society” figures throughout the world, and Carratraca – located almost in the middle of Málaga province – is becoming known as the “small Monte Carlo”.

It took years of intensive remodelling to recuperate the splendour of the original Hostal del Principe, built for the king’s almost exclusive use.

With its 43 rooms, the current hotel offers the charm of serene, classic, no-fuss luxury, relaxing, modern, full of quality details, with 19th century paintings, Roman statues… Everything has been created for guests to “let a few days pass” immersed completely in thermal treatments as the central activity each day.

The waters of the Carratraca spring, which emanate at 18ºC, are classified as sulphurous, with calcium and magnesium salts. The key effects of the waters, and adjacent mud baths, derive from their bivalent sulphur content and the presence of other mineralising factors such as bicarbonates, sulphates, chloride, calcium, magnesium, sodium and potassium, and trace elements including iron, copper, manganese, zinc, nickel, selenium and cobalt, which can act in multiple oxidation-reducing biological reactions. All this data is backed by regular analyses corroborated and updated by the Spanish Institute’s Royal Academy of Pharmacy.

Historically, the waters of this spring have had the strongest curative effects on skin infections, breathing difficulties, gynaecology, the nervous system, rheumatism and orthopaedic surgery.

The sulphurous mineral-medicinal waters’ anti-oxidant effect, and impact on the immune system, has particularly expanded its use in the area of preventative health. Drinking sulphurous water lowers levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and is especially useful for detoxifying the liver.

These anti-oxidant effects make the waters ideal for aesthetic body treatments and rejuvenation.

Villa Padierna Thermals Hotel in Carratraca offers five Roman thermal baths, 21 hydrothermal treatment rooms, facial and body treatments, and different kinds of massages. Its amenities also include a hamman, spacious terraces for relaxing, a sauna, a pool, a gymnasium… and spectacular views over Guadalhorce Valley.

However, all of this would not be complete if the hotel staff’s personal and professional service was not exquisite, friendly and pleasant. They make you feel like part of the family, always with a smile, and keen to provide everything you need. Something else that should not be overlooked is the “energy cuisine” served by the hotel, designed to play an important role in the detoxifying process – while also tasting great.

In short, if you are not already familiar with Villa Padierna Thermas Hotel in Carratraca don’t wait any longer. You will not regret it, and you will definitely want to return.

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