Castilla Termal Monasterio Valbuena

Looking for a quiet spot to relax and recharge? Castilla Termal Monasterio Valbuena, near Peñafiel, Spain, may be just the spot. This reconstructed monastery is located among the vineyards of Duero River.

DSC_2856You’ll find and indoor, heated pool on the lower level:

IMG_1831Very pleasant view from that pool. The outdoor pool its just beyond the glass.

IMG_1838All sorts of spa treatments are available, from massage to facial to aroma therapy. There are plenty of common areas for a cozy drink or a business meeting.

DSC_2847I’ll post about the rooms next. So check back soon.

Holiday Inn, Aruba, iPhone video

Might as well take a look at the Holiday Inn on Palm Beach, Aruba, DWI. The lobby was recently renovated as well as some other improvements. Here’s a quick video taken with my iPhone.

I’ll keep these quick vids coming. A few “local” things on the way. Stay tuned.

Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain

Staying at Hacienda Zorita is like having your own country estate. The hotel grounds extend from river to field to a complex of buildings that was once a convent.

Main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

There are several different types of rooms, including suites and villas that give you even more privacy. I stayed in a standard room, which you see next:

Standard room at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Standard room at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

A spacious bathroom made this room even more comfortable.

Bathroom in standard room at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Bathroom in standard room at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

There was also a terrace where you could relax in the sun or the shade, depending upon the time of day.

Terrace of standard room Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Terrace of standard room Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Also in the main building, you’ll find several comfortable lounges such as this one:

Lounge in main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Lounge in main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

And a small bar for a glass of sherry or other beverage of your choice:

Bar in main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Bar in main building at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Back outside, you’ll find two swimming pools like this one:

Swimming pool at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Swimming pool at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

And finally, there is a wonderful restaurant on site where we enjoyed a delicious chef’s menu.

Restaurant at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Restaurant at Hacienda Zorita, Valverdón, Spain.

Hacienda Zorita is located about 20 minutes driving from Salamanca, yet it feels like you are a world away. For business or pleasure, you’ll be away from it all here while still being close to enough to what you want.

Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain

In the village of Meaño, near Spain’s Atlantic coast, you’ll find a great little hotel called Quinta de San Amaro. This is the kind of place to get away from it all. Here’s a look at the swimming pool and main building:

Swimming pool and main building at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Swimming pool and main building at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Although in the countryside, Quinta de San Amaro is only a short drive to Santiago de Compostela and many of the interesting towns along the Atlantic Coast. I stayed in a standard room that you see next:

Standard room at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Standard room at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

The bathroom was also spacious and comfortable:

Bathroom in standard room at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Bathroom in standard room at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

You’ll also find a good restaurant here with seating inside as well as outside that you see in the next photo:

Outdoor seating at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Outdoor seating at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

And take a look at this unique “solar sauna” as I call it:

"Solar sauna" at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

“Solar sauna” at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Inside it was warm and refreshing, a comfortable place to relax, read a book, or meditate:

Inside the "solar sauna" at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Inside the “solar sauna” at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

Of course then you’ll want to take another dip in the swimming pool, so here’s another view of that looking out to the vineyards:

View of the swimming pool and vineyards beyond at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

View of the swimming pool and vineyards beyond at Quinta de San Amaro, Meaño, Spain.

You’ll have no trouble sleeping here. It was perfectly quiet, the way you’ll want it after a day of sightseeing or sampling the many delicious wines of the region.