The president of the Xunta de Galicia, Alfonso Rueda, has inaugurated today, at 12:00 pm, the new Iberik Gran Balneario de Guitiriz & Golf. An emblem of the thermal waters at national and international level that now comes back to life after the investment of 8.5 million euros by Iberik Hotels.

This hotel complex with more than a century of history, located in the province of Lugo, has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment to recover the prestige of one of the areas with the best waters in all of Spain.

This new venture of the Iberik Hoteles hotel chain, with 100% Spanish capital and more establishments in Galicia, Asturias and Lérida, generates around 50 new local jobs, mainly from the area of Guitiriz.

In total, the four-star hotel complex has 103 rooms where history and comfort are perfectly combined. To this is added a wide offer for health and relaxation thanks to the restaurant service, golf course with nine holes and driving range and, of course, the famed spa with renown inside and outside Spain.

Official opening of the Guitiriz Spa (Photos: David Cabezón)

An emblem of the thermal waters recovered

The therapeutic use of the medicinal mineral waters of Guitiriz dates back to the 17th century. These waters flow at 15ºC and were analyzed for the first time in the mid-18th century; although the Spa began its activity in 1850.

In March 1902 the waters of the "Fountain of San Juan de Lagostelle" were recognized by Decree of the Health Council and declared of public utility. This fountain, also known as "Fonte dos Santos", is located behind the main building, where the chapel of the complex is also located.

Due to the fame of these waters a hotel was built, the original modernist building, which functioned as support accommodation for users of the hot springs.

Slowly the fame of the Spa crossed borders and among its clientele could be found Europeans and Hispanic Americans. The name of Guitiriz appears linked to the thermalism in the exhibitions of Zaragoza, London, Paris and Amsterdam being compared with the famous German spa of Baden-Baden for the quality of its waters and the luxury of its facilities. It was the beginning of the golden age of the thermal station.

From 1936 to 1939 the building of the Spa of Guitiriz was enabled as a hospital, being called "Indigenous Infirmary of Guitiriz" or also called "Indigenous Military Hospital of Guitiriz", to receive wounded of the Civil War, mainly from the Front of Asturias, although it also received many wounded combatants of Muslim origin. To their presence we owe the construction of the small mosque that still stands in the thermal complex and a cemetery, known as "Moorish cemetery" within its placid forest-garden. After the war, the Spa regained its prestige and resumed its activity until it closed its doors in 1972.

Between 2002 and 2003 a renovation and expansion of the complex was carried out with a new spa building with complete facilities for that time, the interior layout of the under-roof floor for 20 new rooms, resulting in a total of 107 rooms. It included the rehabilitation of the Mosque, the Club House, the urbanization of the complex, the main entrance gate, and the central facilities center. It also included a thermoludic area of approximately 4000 m², which included a thermal circuit, therapeutic spa, medical cabins and sports areas. This extension was connected to the main building by a glass walkway with a metal structure.

The Gran Balneario de Guitiriz, the century-old thermal complex with three medicinal water springs, golf course, mosque and a spectacular wooded setting that became a European benchmark for thermalism, was closed again in 2017. Until now with the major renovation of Iberik Hoteles.

Official inauguration of the Guitiriz Spa (Photos: David Cabezón)

This is the renovated Iberik Gran Balneario de Guitiriz & Golf

The renovated Iberik Gran Balneario de Guitiriz & Golf is a space for health and wellness, consisting of a 4-star hotel with 103 rooms, a spa, 9-hole golf course, cafeteria, and restaurant. Thus, it becomes an ideal place for relaxation, for the enjoyment of nature and outdoor activities and walks through its surroundings. From the reception to the surrounding trails are designed for its customers to live a unique experience.

Its modernist building with history and adapted to the current century is a cozy space that welcomes each guest. The rooms recover a luminous atmosphere, with high ceilings and moldings to make it a space of well-being.

In addition, the spa has a 241 m² swimming pool, a beach area and thermoludic area and a walking pool and cold bath. To this are added two other small pools, two wet heat saunas, a dry heat sauna, hot towel room or gym. On the first floor, it houses the spa's medical service and an inhalation room, six seaweed and massage cabins, an indoor solarium and terraces.

In the aquatic circuit, various thermal techniques are practiced with mineral-meditional waters. Among them, the active pool with hydro-massage beds and seats, which, through the projection of pressurized air, help to work the back and leg muscles at all levels. In addition to jets and waterfalls to relax the muscles of the neck and upper back, as well as hydromassage seats and bubbles, and a cold pool to make the necessary temperature contrast to activate circulation.

All this is also joined by several therapies that are part of the process of spa cure where other aspects come into play such as dietary regimen, emotional rest and physical activity and rest.

The Iberik Gran Balneario de Guitiriz also has as a novelty with a restaurant with raw materials of proximity and local cuisine combined with modern culinary techniques. It also has rooms with space for up to 200 people, ideal for the organization of social and business events, a family event or a large convention.

Another new feature is the golf course, which has nine holes and a driving range, both open to the public.

In total, an enclosure with a total area of 46,000 m² that the Iberik chain has revitalized to put Guitiriz back on the national thermalism map with much more.