Escape to Paradise: El Cercado's Luxury Rural Spa in Spain
Escape to Paradise: El Cercado – My Honest (and Probably Rambling) Review of a Spanish Spa Getaway! (SEO-Friendly, I Swear!)
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because I just got back from Escape to Paradise: El Cercado's Luxury Rural Spa in Spain, and let me tell you, it was… an experience. Forget those polished, perfectly-curated Instagram posts – this is the real deal, flaws and all. And yes, I’ll try to weave in some SEO-friendly keywords but honestly, I’d rather just tell you about the time I almost tripped over a fluffy sheep. More on that later.
First Impressions (and Accessibility Woes):
Finding "Paradise" wasn't hard, nestled in the rolling hills. Getting around once I got there? Now, that's a different story. While Escape to Paradise says they offer Facilities for disabled guests, let me be brutally honest: it's a bit… optimistic. Accessibility is a mixed bag. Some areas are clearly built with ease of access in mind, but others… let's just say navigating the uneven cobblestone paths in a wheelchair might be a workout. I'm not using a wheelchair, but I did see a couple struggling. Elevator access is available, which is a huge plus. I'd recommend calling ahead to confirm specific needs – don't just assume, okay?
Rooms: Where the Real Relaxation Begins (or Doesn't, Depending on Your Mood):
My room? Bliss. Utter, glorious bliss. I’m talking Air conditioning that actually works, a Blackout curtains that are amazing for sleep, and a Free Wi-Fi signal that's stronger than my need for coffee. The Additional toilet was a lifesaver after all those tapas! Bathroom phone? Weird, but hey, why not? Bathrobes and Slippers were definitely appreciated. The Private bathroom was seriously luxurious. There are Non-smoking rooms, thankfully, and they're also equipped with amazing Shower for a relaxing experience. They have Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathtub, Closet, Coffee/tea maker. They have Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Window that opens, and even Internet access – LAN if you're into that ancient technology. I could've easily stayed in the room all day. Oh, and the Wake-up service? Spot-on!
Internet, Internet, Everywhere (Mostly):
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, as promised, was a lifesaver for my Instagram addiction. Internet access, generally, was pretty solid. I was able to stream some movies, and I did not experience any drop.
Spa-tastic Adventures: My Sauna Saga (aka, Almost a Disaster):
Right, let's talk SPA. Because that's what you're here for, right? The Spa/sauna and Steamroom are absolutely gorgeous, like something out of a magazine. I went straight for the Sauna, which, I will confess, I might have overdone. I'm talking, seriously, the heat was intense, and I started feeling a bit… wobbly? My advice? Pace yourself, drink plenty of water (they offer Bottle of water!), and LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Otherwise, you might end up staggering out, looking like a boiled lobster. On the bright side, the Pool with view was divine. The Swimming pool [outdoor] and Swimming pool were so wonderful that I spent all day in the water. The Foot bath was pure bliss. I went for a Massage, and it was one of the best I've ever had. If you love spa, this is your place. They have Body scrub and Body wrap too, but I did not try them.
Food, Glorious Food (and the Occasional Sheep Encounter):
Okay, let's get to the food. The Breakfast [buffet] was a revelation. So many choices! Western breakfast, Asian breakfast, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Desserts in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, Soup in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant. The Asian cuisine in restaurant was really good. There's a Bar, a Poolside bar, and even a Coffee shop, so your taste buds are definitely covered. I had a few meals in the restaurant, ordering A la carte in restaurant. Even the Snack bar was reliable. They even had Room service [24-hour] – perfect for those late-night cravings. They are open for Breakfast service and have Buffet in restaurant. They also had Alternative meal arrangement.
Now, about the sheep. One morning, while walking to the Restaurants, I swear I almost face-planted trying to avoid a particularly fluffy, curious sheep. It was… memorable. And totally made me appreciate the fact that the Breakfast takeaway service was available, because I needed a moment!
The overall dining experience was fantastic. I also love that they have Cashless payment service, so it makes things easier. They have Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, but I've got to admit, I didn't scrutinize every single plate.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, You Know, Life:
Look, safety is on everyone's mind these days. Escape to Paradise gets a thumbs up here. They are serious about hygiene. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, and Hand sanitizer everywhere. Rooms sanitized between stays and Professional-grade sanitizing services are available. They also offer Room sanitization opt-out available. The staff is great about Staff trained in safety protocol, and they even have Hygiene certification. Individually-wrapped food options are available. They also have Physical distancing of at least 1 meter. They also have Safe dining setup, so you can rest assured. CCTV in common areas and CCTV outside property make you feel safe. They have Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Non-smoking rooms, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, and Soundproof rooms.
Things to Do (Beyond the Spa):
Beyond the spa, there is enough Things to do. They have a Fitness center, a Gym/fitness. You can do Body wrap, Sauna, and **Steamroom. It's the perfect place to *Relax*. They have *Meetings*, *Seminars*, *Meeting/banquet facilities*, *Indoor venue for special events*, *Outdoor venue for special events*. There's a *Gift/souvenir shop* if you want to pick up a little something. I was too busy relaxing to explore much, but there are clearly options for those who want to keep busy.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things That Matter (and Don't Matter at All):
They have a Concierge, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Ironing service, Laundry service, and Luggage storage. There's also a Convenience store in case you forget anything (like, say, a travel adapter). Parking is easy with Car park [free of charge] and Car park [on-site]. They also offer Cash withdrawal and Currency exchange. They have Concierge, and you can do Contactless check-in/out. They offer Invoice provided, and Food delivery. They have Facilities for disabled guests.
For the Kids (and the Big Kids at Heart):
While I didn't bring any kids, Family/child friendly is definitely on the list. They even have Babysitting service!
Getting Around:
They offer Airport transfer, Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Taxi service, and Valet parking.
The Verdict: Is Escape to Paradise REALLY Paradise?
Honestly? It's pretty darn close. The spa is incredible, the food is delicious, and the staff is lovely (even if there was a slight language barrier at times). The slightly wonky accessibility and the occasional sheep encounter? Well, they just added to the charm, didn't they?
My Honest (but SEO-Friendly!) Recommendation:
Escape to Paradise: El Cercado is a fantastic choice if you're looking for a luxury spa getaway in Spain. Just be prepared for a truly unique experience – and maybe watch out for the sheep.
Book Now and Escape the Ordinary!
**
DSovia Hotel Indonesia: Your Dream Vacation Awaits (Luxury Redefined)
Okay, buckle up buttercups! You're in for the ride of your life, straight outta my chaotic travel journal – El Cercado Turismo Rural & SPA, Spain edition! (And, spoiler alert, I'm already imagining losing my actual journal somewhere in the olive groves. Sigh.)
El Cercado: A Messy, Beautifully Imperfect Itinerary (and My Brain's Scattershot Thoughts)
Day 1: Arrival and… Existential Dread? (aka, Getting There is Half the Battle…the Annoying Half)
- 8:00 AM: Airport chaos. Madrid Airport. Ugh. Why do they call it "Terminal 4"? It's more like "Lost in Translation: Terminal Edition." The sheer number of people… the screaming babies… the lady loudly unwrapping what looked like a whole roasted chicken… It's enough to make you question all life choices.
- 9:30 AM: Finally, baggage claim! Praying my suitcase hasn't eloped with a charming Spaniard (it’s happened).
- 11:00 AM: Car rental. This is where things get REAL. "Automatic, please!" I bellowed with the desperate confidence of someone who's only driven a manual once and almost stalled in a Tesco parking lot. The rental dude, bless his soul, just smiled patiently and handed over the keys to… well, let’s say it wasn’t a supermodel car. More like a sturdy, slightly dented workhorse.
- 11:30 AM: Map time! Or, rather, "Map-induced panic attack" time. My navigation skills are… shall we say, aspirational. Ended up driving in circles. Twice. Briefly considered becoming a shepherd. Sheep seem less stressful than roundabouts.
- 2:00 PM: FINALLY! El Cercado. And holy Moly! The drive was so much better and the views were actually beautiful. It was just stunning. I mean, pictures can't capture the smell of the rosemary, the way the sun hits the olive groves… You just feel like you're in a movie, the one where you're the star, eating a lot of olives, wearing cute linen pants, and generally being a goddess.
Day 2: Olive Oil, Oh My! (And the Unlikely Birth of a Cooking Disaster)
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast at El Cercado. Imagine this: Honey, bread, fresh fruit, and what felt like a whole garden in a bowl. The hostess, Maria, is beaming, she is a living embodiment of sunshine and kindness. I swear she knows the secret to eternal happiness. I'm already plotting how to steal her.
- 10:00 AM: Olive oil tasting. Right, so, I'm not exactly an olive oil sommelier. More like an "Olive oil? Yeah, I pour it on stuff" kinda gal. But, oh my god, this stuff was magical! The flavours, the subtle hints of pepper and grass… I started making pretentious noises, pretending to swish it around my mouth. I felt ridiculous, but also… happy.
- 11:00 AM: Cooking class. Maria had arranged a cookery class with a local chef, who was surprisingly patient with my (ahem) unique approach to chopping vegetables. The goal? Making a traditional Spanish omelette. This is where everything started falling apart…
- 11:30 AM: Eggs everywhere. Seriously. Everywhere. I dropped an egg. Then another. Then, in a moment of pure, unadulterated clumsiness, I managed to crack three eggs at once. In my lap. The chef just chuckled. I blushed crimson.
- 12:30 PM: Miraculously, the omelette was edible. It was a lumpy, slightly burnt, eggy disaster, but we ate it with gusto.
- Afternoon: Spa time! I'm going to tell you about the massage. I was so relaxed and calm, I almost fell asleep in the middle of it. The most peaceful I have ever been.
Day 3: Hiking and… Humiliation? (aka, Embracing the Awkward)
- 9:00 AM: Hike through the olive groves. Glorious. The air, the sun, the sheer, unadulterated peace. I felt like I was floating. This is what life is about!
- 10:00 AM: "Oops! (I did it again…)". Fell. Face-first. Right in front of a group of elderly Spaniards. They were very kind. I think I still haven’t recovered.
- 11:00 AM: Lunch at a little Taberna and the most incredible cheese I've ever tasted.
- Afternoon: A little shopping. The shops in this are beautiful, but so expensive. I ended up buying a hand-painted ceramic plate that cost more than I usually spend on groceries in a month. Worth. Every. Penny.
Day 4: Departure and… Already Planning the Return (aka, Saying Goodbye is Hard)
- 9:00 AM: Last breakfast. I managed to successfully eat an entire piece of Maria’s homemade chocolate cake. No shame.
- 11:00 AM: Tears. Possibly. I'm not admitting anything (okay, fine, I cried a little). El Cercado had a hold on me, you know?
- 11:30 AM: The drive back to the airport. This time, the route was all straight ahead.
- Afternoon: Airport. Another round of chaos, but this time, I was armed with a whole bag of olive oil and a heart full of sunshine and a determination to learn how to make that damn omelette. (I’m still working on the eggs. Wish me luck!)
Final Thoughts (aka, Me Rambling a Bit)
This trip wasn't perfect. There were stumbles (literally). There were moments of sheer embarrassment and a few near-disasters in the kitchen. But that's what made it so damn beautiful. El Cercado isn't just a place; it's an experience. It's about messy joy, unexpected friendships, and the sheer, unadulterated magic of being completely, unapologetically you. And I'm pretty sure I left a little piece of my heart there, nestled among the olive trees. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a plane to catch, a plane to plan, and a dream to make that omelette… someday.
- Recommendation: Go. Just go. And embrace the mess. You won't regret it. And definitely try the olive oil.
Escape to Paradise: El Cercado – The FAQ (and my slightly unhinged review, tbh)
Okay, so… El Cercado. Is it *actually* paradise? Because the Instagram photos are REALLY good.
What kind of treatments do they offer? Because frankly, I’m stressed. And my shoulders could cut glass.
The food! Tell me about the food. Because a good spa needs good food.
What's the vibe like? Is it all super-yogi types or is it more… relaxed?
Okay, what about the rooms? Are they as luxurious as they look?
Any downsides? Be honest.
Would you go back?
Okay, specific scenario. You've got a spare afternoon, what do you do?
