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Archena is home to a hot thermal springs complex which is believed to be among the oldest in Spain, having been in use since the time of the Roman occupation in the third century BC.
The Spa Centre itself offers extensive facilities, with an innovative indoor-outdoor thermal circuit experience complemented by a wide range of medical, beauty and relaxation treatments, attracting both visitors on courses of therapy (principally related to respiratory conditions, articulatory problems and stress) and those looking for a period of relaxation and pampering.
At the heart of the complex is the water which emanates from a natural spring at a temperature of 52.5 degrees Celsius and with a high mineral content which makes it particularly beneficial for treating sore joints and also facilitates the natural repair processes of the skin.
Set in the lush greenery which thrives on the banks of the River Segura at the southern end of the Ricote Valley, this beautiful complex which covers an area of 200,000 square metres, is just 24km from the capital city of Murcia, and lies at approximately 80km from either the airport of San Javier or the airport in Alicante, positioning it as a straightforward and easy journey from anywhere in the Murcia Region or Alicante Province.
Although the thermal spa centre, the thermal swimming pools and thermal spa circuit can be visited on a daytime use only basis, the complex also offers three hotels with a total of 254 fully equipped rooms, restaurant services and direct access to the various onsite facilities.
See feed below for further information about the spa facilities, the special packages and treatments available at the complex.
The on-site accommodation:
Hotel Termas The four-star Hotel Termas is the grandest of the three hotels, not necessarily in terms of the rooms themselves (the Hotel Levante also has four stars to its name) but certainly in terms of the décor and history of the building. It dates from the late 19th century and many of the details are modelled on the Alhambra palace in Granada, intricate Moorish-style decorative patterns adorning the main staircase in particular and also many other doorways and niches.
Underneath the hotel is the main thermal bath complex, where therapeutic treatments using the warm mineral water are administered, and this is where the wealthy and influential flocked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Archena was the most visited spa in Spain. Here one of the key features is a replica of part of the Patio de los Leones in the Alhambra, a fountain which is no longer in use but stands as a reminder of the prestigious history of the thermal baths.
There are 67 rooms at the Hotel Termas, all equipped with en suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, safe, heating, air conditioning, TV (international channels included) and mini-bar. Room service and restaurant dining are optional, and Wifi is available free in public lounges and the main entry hall.
The hotel dining-room on the ground floor has been awarded Q for Quality certification, and enjoys views out onto the River Segura. A buffet breakfast is available, as are lunch, dinner and room service.
The cuisine, as befits a spa resort, is based on healthy eating, with menus concocted by a top chef along with a full-time nutritionist. The “Mediterranean diet” is combined with nouvelle cuisine, and recommendations are made for senior diners, family groups, sportsmen, businessmen and other categories of diner.
There is also an impressive wine list, and the seating capacity is 200.
Underground parking is just a few metres away, a recent development at the Balneario de Archena in order to minimize noise and exhaust fumes and further enhance the atmosphere of relaxation and health.
The Hotel Termas is open all year round, and guests are automatically entitled to free access to the onsite thermal swimming pools. Therapeutic treatments, massages and beauty treatment all entail extra costs, although numerous packages are available to suit practically all guests, including families!
The four-star Hotel Levante is possibly not the grandest in terms of its history and prestige, but it was completely refurbished in 2001 and even now appears brand new. The Balneario de Archena may be steeped in history, but this is a thoroughly modern and functional establishment designed to maximize comfort.
There are 68 rooms at the Hotel Levante, all equipped with en suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, safe, heating, air conditioning, TV (international channels included), telephone and mini-bar. Room service and restaurant dining are optional, and Wifi is available free in public lounges and the main entry hall.
The hotel shares the ground-floor dining-room belonging to its neighbour, the Hotel Termas, which has been awarded Q for Quality certification and enjoys views out onto the River Segura. A buffet breakfast is available, as are lunch, dinner and room service.
Here the cuisine, as befits a spa resort, is based on healthy eating, with menus concocted by a top chef along with a full-time nutritionist. The “Mediterranean diet” is combined with nouvelle cuisine, and recommendations are made for senior diners, family groups, sportsmen, businessmen and other categories of diner. There is also an impressive wine list, and the seating capacity is 200.
Underground parking is just a few metres away.
The three-star Hotel León is one of three hotels at the Balneario de Archena thermal baths and spa complex, and is located towards the northern end of the premises next to the Termalium area. This contains swimming pools and a massage, relaxation and beauty complex, and guests are also welcome to make use of the medical services provided at the Balneario and a host of other facilities which make staying at the complex a rounded experience rather than a purely therapeutic one.
Each of the 117 rooms, distributed on three floors, provides direct access to the thermal baths underneath the neighbouring Hotel Termas without any need to venture outside, and all are equipped with a complete bathroom, air conditioning, heating, TV (including international channels) and telephone. Laundry service and a foreign exchange desk are also available for guests, as are bicycle hire and, at a small additional cost, medical care.
The hotel restaurant located on the first floor, provides a buffet service and is a popular eating option not only with guests and day visitors but also among guests at Hotel Termas and Hotel Levante. As in the neighbouring establishments, the cuisine is mostly Mediterranean, combined with specialities from all over Spain.
The hotel is located almost directly above the underground parking. There is also a large events room for celebrations of all kinds, holding up to 400 guests.
Click here for details on the full range of treatments available at the Balneario de Archena.
