Asia Gardens Hotel and Thai Spa is an opulent Asian-inspired hotel located in the heart of the Mediterranean. A unique oriental offering in Costa Blanca, the hotel offers the peace and tranquillity of a tropical Asian oasis without the hassle of a long-haul flight as the hotel is just a 40-minute drive from Alicante airport with several flights departing daily.
Having recently been awarded ‘Best Hotel in Spain’ by the World Travel Awards and a member of the Leading Hotels of the World, I had high expectations and wasn’t disappointed. It’s no surprise that Asia Gardens luxurious offerings have drawn in a number of celebrity guests including Bruce Willis, Penelope Cruz and Wayne Rooney.
The Hotel
As soon as I entered the Thai style entrance with dark wooden beams and low lights, I felt like I had been transported to a hidden sanctuary of luxury in Asia. I was greeted with a refreshing towel and drink before checking in and being shown to my room.
Despite the hotel being almost full, there was ample space and acres of gardens to explore.
The gardens are breathtaking and each corner shares a different experience. I loved getting lost in the maze of wooden bridges and pathways and discovering the cascading waterfalls, beautifully landscaped gardens and the 7 instagrammable pools, including an adults-only pool and a family-friendly pool, each with a different vibe. For those wanting to visit the beach, the sandy beaches of Benidorm are just a 10-minute shuttle away. I highly recommend joining the botanical tour that the hotel offers where you can learn more about the 200 species of plants and trees, 80% of which are of Asian origin.
The hospitality of the staff was exceptional, from the gardeners who help to maintain the beauty of the gardens to the staff who were always there to point me in the right direction when they saw me looking lost.
Rooms
There are 311 Balinese-style rooms and suites which all have their own balconies or terraces to make the most of the garden views, Sierra Cortina mountain range or a surprisingly picturesque view of the sea and Benidorm skyline in the distance. Guests who book a suite will have exclusive access to the Thai Club area pools which can be beneficial during the high season.
I stayed in a Deluxe Superior room which had an extremely comfortable kingsize bed, lounge area with a Nespresso machine and plenty of wardrobe space. The spacious bathroom had a walk-in rain shower and bathtub with bath salts provided along with my favourite White Company amenities. Upon opening the large doors to the balcony overlooking the gardens, I found that the sound of the trickling water provided a peaceful soundtrack.
The Wellness Facilities
Upon entering the Thai Spa in my comfy robe provided in my room, the peaceful and serene setting set the tone for the ultimate relaxation experience. As I entered the dimly lit spa, I was offered a herbal tea which I enjoyed as I set myself up on a bed in the indoor-outdoor pool and Turkish bath.
The spa menu offers a range of Asian-inspired treatments and rituals from traditional Thai massages to rejuvenating foot massages with the option to have the treatment indoors or in a secluded outdoor pavilion. All therapists have been trained at the Wat Po Temple in Bangkok - one of the birthplaces of Thai massage - ensuring the standard of treatment is the very best. The spa also offers a range of holistic classes for guests throughout the week including yoga, meditation, Thai Chi and Chi Kung.
Dining
With 9 restaurants to choose from in high season you really are spoilt for choice from authentic Asian dishes at Koh Samui, to the impressive Mediterranean and international buffet at Udaipur to laidback snacks at the pool bar.
Breakfast was one of the best breakfasts I’ve seen and offered a vast range of choices from healthy to indulgent with all the traditional Spanish tortillas and churros, omelette chef, an array of Spanish hams and cheeses, fresh smoothies and juices and a range of miniature pastries which was the perfect excuse to sample each one. There is also a dedicated gluten-free area to ensure to everybody is catered for.
Who's it best for
If you’re looking to relax and indulge yourself in luxury, then there is no doubt that Asia Gardens Hotel and Thai Spa is the place to do so. Ideal for families, friends and singles alike, there is something for everybody, whether you want to switch off in the spa, relax by the pools or explore the Costa Blanca region.
Find out more about Asia Gardens Hotel and Thai Spa here or call to speak to one of our specialists on +44(0) 203 886 0082