Grand Real Santa Eulalia in Albufeira

When I arrived at the Grand Real Santa Eulália the staff were fabulous (I did tell them ahead of time I would be blogging about my stay, so maybe this is why!). I quickly realised that I maybe was the only person staying in the hotel and I think I was for the first two days. It is an amazing 5* Spa Hotel and Resort that oozes a special ambience, it has a great taste for interior design and the spa was simply divine. I think I chose a good time to go – I imagine in the height of summer the atmosphere is more hectic but it was delightful. I felt very relaxed for my whole stay. The upgrade to Sea View room was most appreciated, a full wall of glass looking out to the sea. The room was fabulous, very comfortable bed and a very good bathroom. On a nautical theme throughout the hotel.

Grande Real Santa Eulalia

The Spa

I spent a lot of time in the spa. The gym was great if not resembling a goldfish bowl a little but it was quiet so I mostly had the space to myself. There are four outdoor heated swimming pools that due to the weather I didn’t try out but there is also a Thalasso Pool indoors which was a great treat. One hour in there at different Thalasso stations of differing water jets, relaxation areas were fabulous. As well as a lovely sauna and hamman (the biggest steam room I’ve ever been in). The Spa area itself is just a calming sea of blue, white, candle, Moroccan style influences and a very pleasant place to while away the hours. I treated myself to a sports massage which was a pleasurable and painful experience and then a spot of Reiki which was a new concept to me, that I’m still slightly unsure about but it has left me feeling very calm and centred.

I’d recommend this spa to anyone who wants some time to enjoy the sea air, fabulous hotel and some great treats. Its not the cheapest place on earth for a spa session and I do think that as a guest in the winter the hotel should offer at least one free Thalasso session per person per stay (€36 a pop is rather expensive) but there is 15% off treatments between 11am and 4pm every day so that is a great bonus. There is a lovely relaxation area for a cup of fruit tea, glass of water and further time to chill out after treatments and all the staff are very friendly and helpful which added to the experience

The beautiful Spa

The website for the spa lists the following as their facilities (best to be enjoyed in the summer I think)

• Cardio-fitness gymnasium

• Artificial grass tennis courts

• Four outdoor heated pools, one salt water – heating depends on season

• Three pool bars and open air cafe bars

• Direct access to the beach

• Golf Desk for lessons and Green fees

There are a great variety of massage and beauty treatments, including a relaxing hot stone massage and an invigorating full-body exfoliation. Thalassotherapy has developed its range of treatments using sea water and its biological elements. Together with a vast range of exercise techniques, backed up by a modern cardio-fitness area and a wide range of menus created by nutritionists, it makes Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort and Hotel Spa the ideal place for all those seeking true relaxation and rejuvenation.

Plus points: Great staff, Lovely location, Sea views are amazing, Spa is fabulous

Low points: 5* expensive food and drinks, Only free bottled water on first day, No tea and coffee making facilities in room, No indoor swimming pool for winter months. PNGEVVC2QQDG

But generally a 9 out of 10 spa holiday – thanks to the staff at Grande Real Santa Eulália Resort and Hotel Spa for making my little break so fabulous.